A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cherokee vs. Boise for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Cherokee or Boise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Boise, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a fascinating, cultural, and genuine town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Boise

Boise is a friendly, welcoming, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Cherokee and Boise: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Cherokee or Boise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cherokee than Boise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cherokee is better known for its food and hiking, while Boise is more popular for its nightlife. Cherokee is more touristy than Boise and is popular for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails. Also, Cherokee is famous for Oconaluftee Indian Village. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Cherokee different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cherokee or Boise?

Cherokee
Boise

Both Cherokee and Boise have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cherokee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.

Boise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.


Is the Food Better in Cherokee or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Cherokee is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Boise

Boise is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Cherokee is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Cherokee. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cherokee. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Boise is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Boise?

Cherokee
Boise

Both Cherokee and Boise are notable shopping destinations.

Cherokee is a great destination for shopping. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boise. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Families?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cherokee. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Cherokee makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.


Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boise is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cherokee. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

Boise is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Backpackers rarely make their way to this town.

Is Cherokee or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cherokee
Boise

Both Cherokee and Boise offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

Is Cherokee or Boise a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Boise

Cherokee and Boise both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Cherokee is generally not very walkable. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

Boise is generally not a very walkable town. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.


For even more information, also check out Is Cherokee Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cherokee or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cherokee than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cherokee, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cherokee than Boise 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 Cherokee.


  • How many days in Cherokee or Boise? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Boise 1-2

One day in Cherokee or Boise?

In Cherokee, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fascinating destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The city of Boise offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cherokee or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cherokee. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Boise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Boise, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cherokee or Boise?

Cherokee is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Cherokee. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Boise is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Cherokee or Boise?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Cherokee. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boise is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boise or Cherokee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cherokee is $174, while the average daily cost in Boise is $146. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cherokee and Boise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Boise $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Boise $150
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Boise

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Boise? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cherokee


Hotels in Boise


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cherokee Hotel Prices and Boise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Boise $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Boise?

Prices for flights to both Boise and Cherokee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cherokee $16
    Boise $45

Typical Food Prices in Boise

For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Hotel
    $59
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)
    $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Boise $30

Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Edwards Boise Imax
    $27

Tours and Activities in Boise

For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $14
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
  • Hells Canyon Kirkwood Jet Boat Tour near Boise, Idaho: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Boise $24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cherokee and Boise, we can see that Cherokee is more expensive. And not only is Boise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boise and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cherokee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cherokee than you might in Boise.

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


Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee and Boise, 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.