A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Denver for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cincinnati or Denver?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Denver? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a blue collar, authentic, and hard-working city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Denver

Denver is a suburban, accessible, and sprawling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Cincinnati and Denver: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Cincinnati or Denver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Denver than Cincinnati. Denver is bigger than Cincinnati, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Denver is better known for its skiing, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Cincinnati is more popular for its museums. Cincinnati is well known for its breweries and down-to-earth personality. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area. Also, Denver is famous for Red Rocks Park.

How is Cincinnati different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Skiing?

Cincinnati
Denver

Denver is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Cincinnati is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Cincinnati is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cincinnati or Denver?

Cincinnati
Denver

Cincinnati is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cincinnati can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Is the Food Better in Cincinnati or Denver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cincinnati
Denver

Denver is a city with a few options for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Denver. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Cincinnati
Denver

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cincinnati and Denver.

Cincinnati has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

If you're looking for night time activities Denver has a few options to choose from. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.


Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Hiking?

Cincinnati
Denver

Denver is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

Denver is a good destination for hiking. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cincinnati or Denver?

Cincinnati
Denver

Shopping is a popular activity in both Denver and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati offers some nice shopping areas. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Families?

Cincinnati
Denver

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cincinnati or Denver.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cincinnati. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Denver offers lots of family activities. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.


Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Couples?

Cincinnati
Denver

Denver is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

Denver makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati
Denver

Cincinnati is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Students?

Cincinnati
Denver

Denver is a popular place for students. However, Cincinnati is not popular with students.

Denver is popular with students. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Cincinnati is not popular with students.


Is Cincinnati or Denver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cincinnati
Denver

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cincinnati and Denver.

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

While Denver offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is Cincinnati or Denver a more walkable city?

Cincinnati
Denver

Cincinnati is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Cincinnati is a very walkable city. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Cincinnati Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Cincinnati?

How long in Cincinnati or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cincinnati and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Denver than in Cincinnati. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cincinnati, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cincinnati than Denver 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 Cincinnati.


  • How many days in Cincinnati or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cincinnati 1-2 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Cincinnati or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cincinnati. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With shopping and skiing around the park-filled city of Denver, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Cincinnati or Denver?

Cincinnati is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With skiing and nightlife around the destination of Denver, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Cincinnati or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cincinnati. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Denver, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Cincinnati or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the hard-working destination of Cincinnati. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Denver is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denver or Cincinnati?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $183, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. 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 Cincinnati and Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    Denver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Denver

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Denver? 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 Cincinnati


Hotels in Denver


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Denver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    Denver $101

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by SUV: $177
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $137
  • Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car: $155
  • Denver Airport (BJC) to Beaver Creek Ski Resort -Arrival Transfer: $220
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer : $220
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer : $240
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer: $195
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $176
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Snowmass/Aspen - Arrival Private Transfer: $297
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $286
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Winter Park - Arrival Private Transfer: $132
  • Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $256

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver and Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati $55
    Denver $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.

  • Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $61
  • Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY: $79
  • Cincinnati Court Street Food Tour with Vegan Options: $85
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market : $85
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $120

Typical Food Prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.

  • Denver : Paella Cooking Class With Local Chef: $55
  • Denver : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Chef Kevin: $55
  • RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
  • Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    Denver $52

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mt Adams Historic, Cincinnati, App/GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Haunted Walking Audio Tour: $6.75
  • Mount Adams Historic Smartphone Guided App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self Guided Cincinnati Ghost Haunted Walking Tour Audio Tour Music Hall OTR: $7.75
  • Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Ticket: $12
  • Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $19
  • Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati: $25
  • Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories: $28
  • Haunted Tour in Mount Healthy from Cincinnati: $29
  • Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour: $29

Tours and Activities in Denver

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:

  • Discover A Walking Tour of Denver's Top Sights: $5.00
  • Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
  • Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
  • Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $14
  • Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $16
  • Haunted Tour with Ghost Hunting Gear: $18
  • History and Architecture Walking Tours: $20
  • Holiday Lights & History Walking Tour: $24
  • Museum of Nature and Science Admission Ticket: $25
  • All Ages Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    Denver $5.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: $49
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Small-Group Tour: $68

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden: $65
  • Craft Distillery Bus Tour: $71
  • Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
  • Guided Downtown Denver Walking Wine Tour: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Cincinnati much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cincinnati would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cincinnati 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Cincinnati.

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


Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati and Denver, 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.