A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cherokee vs. Olympic National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Olympic National Park, 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 genuine, fascinating, and cultural town. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a vast, pristine, and stunning park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Cherokee and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

Both Olympic National Park and Cherokee have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Cherokee is very popular for its nightlife and shopping, while Olympic National Park attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Olympic National Park is more touristy than Cherokee and is known for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall. Cherokee is famous for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails.

How is Cherokee different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Both Cherokee and Olympic National Park have nice 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.

Olympic National Park offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.


Is the Food Better in Cherokee or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cherokee and Olympic National Park can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Cherokee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

Olympic National Park has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Cherokee is a moderate town for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

Most people don't head to Cherokee specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is notable for its resorts. However, Cherokee is not a resort destination.

Olympic National Park is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Cherokee is not a resort destination.


Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is an amazing park to visit for the nearby hiking options. Also, Cherokee is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Olympic National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Cherokee is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Cherokee offers some nice shopping areas. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Cherokee and Olympic National Park are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Cherokee is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Olympic National Park is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.


Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Cherokee and Olympic National Park are both very good to visit as a couple.

Cherokee is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. Also, Cherokee is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Olympic National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Cherokee is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

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

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Both Cherokee and Olympic National Park offer reasonable 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 Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.


Is Cherokee or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Olympic National Park

Cherokee is a moderate town for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

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

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

For even more information, also check out Is Cherokee Worth Visiting? and Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

In either Cherokee or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Olympic National Park than Cherokee because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cherokee, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

Couples should spend more time in Cherokee than Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park than Cherokee 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 Olympic National Park.


  • How many days in Cherokee or Olympic National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Olympic National Park 2-5

One day in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

In Cherokee, you'll find shopping and museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful park of Olympic National Park offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cherokee. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town. It offers something for everyone.

Olympic National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this park makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Olympic National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


Five days in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

Cherokee is a fun place to experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Olympic National Park, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural destination of Cherokee. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Olympic National Park is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This park 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, Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park is $124. 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 Olympic National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Olympic National Park $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Olympic National Park $98
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Olympic National Park

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Olympic National Park? 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 Olympic National Park


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Olympic National Park $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

Prices for flights to both Olympic National Park 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
    Olympic National Park $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Olympic National Park $26

Tours and Activities in Olympic National Park

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Olympic National Park are as follows:

  • Olympic Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Olympic Full Day Small Group Tour: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Olympic National Park $5.57


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cherokee and Olympic National Park, we can see that Cherokee is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park.

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



When is the best time to visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park in the Summer?

Both Olympic National Park and Cherokee are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cherokee in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cherokee is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cherokee in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Olympic National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during summer. Cherokee gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Cherokee. In July, Cherokee usually receives more rain than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cherokee 81°F (27°C) 
    Olympic National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Cherokee during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cherokee for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Olympic National Park because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cherokee is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 63°F (17°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Cherokee. In the autumn, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun.

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cherokee usually gets less rain in October than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cherokee 63°F (17°C) 
    Olympic National Park 51°F (10°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Olympic National Park. The winter months attract visitors to Cherokee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Olympic National Park in the winter. The weather in Cherokee can be very cold. Cherokee is around the same temperature as Olympic National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during winter. Cherokee gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cherokee gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cherokee 40°F (5°C) 
    Olympic National Park 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Olympic National Park. Additionally, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cherokee is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cherokee in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cherokee this time of the year. In the spring, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 263 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Cherokee usually gets less rain in April than Olympic National Park. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cherokee 62°F (17°C) 
    Olympic National Park 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Cherokee

Cherokee Olympic National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 41°F (5°C) 13.7 inches (349 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 43°F (6°C) 12.2 inches (311 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 44°F (7°C) 11.6 inches (294 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 47°F (8°C) 7.4 inches (189 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 52°F (11°C) 5.6 inches (142 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 58°F (14°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 51°F (10°C) 10.4 inches (263 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 45°F (7°C) 14 inches (355 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 41°F (5°C) 15 inches (380 mm)


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