A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Colorado Springs for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Colorado Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a healthy, welcoming, and friendly mountain town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Charlotte and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

You'll generally find more things to do in Charlotte than Colorado Springs. Charlotte is bigger than Colorado Springs, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Charlotte is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Colorado Springs is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Colorado Springs is well known for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Charlotte different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Charlotte. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is adequate for skiing. However, Charlotte is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Colorado Springs for snow skiing. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Charlotte is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Colorado Springs and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Colorado Springs is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and Colorado Springs.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Colorado Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Charlotte and Colorado Springs.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Colorado Springs. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is terrific for hiking. However, Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Charlotte is very good for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Colorado Springs. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Both Charlotte and Colorado Springs are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.

Colorado Springs is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

For students, both Charlotte and Colorado Springs are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Colorado Springs is a good city to visit for students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlotte is very good for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Charlotte or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Charlotte is very good for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Colorado Springs. In our opinion, Colorado Springs has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Colorado Springs than Charlotte. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.

Families should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Charlotte. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Colorado Springs, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Charlotte than Colorado Springs. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charlotte that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Charlotte if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Colorado Springs.

One day in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the growing destination of Charlotte. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find food and museums around the mountain town of Colorado Springs. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the up-and-coming city of Charlotte. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this mountain town has to offer. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Charlotte is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the healthy mountain town of Colorado Springs. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Charlotte is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Colorado Springs is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Colorado Springs, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlotte Expensive? and Is Colorado Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Colorado Springs, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Colorado Springs. The summer months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

In the summer, Charlotte is a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte usually gets more rain in July than Colorado Springs. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

Both Colorado Springs and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

Both Colorado Springs and Charlotte during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the winter for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Colorado Springs can get quite cold in the winter. Charlotte is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).

Charlotte usually gets more rain in January than Colorado Springs. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Colorado Springs. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Charlotte is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Charlotte