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

Should you visit Cleveland or Denver?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Denver, 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.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a diverse, authentic, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Denver

Denver is a park-filled, suburban, and accessible city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Cleveland and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Denver?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Denver than Cleveland. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Denver is very popular for its skiing, hiking, and big city activities, while Cleveland attracts visitors for its museums and music. Cleveland is famous for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people. Denver is famous for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area. It is also well known for Red Rocks Park.

How is Cleveland different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cleveland or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Cleveland is not a skiing destination.

Denver is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. 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.

Cleveland is not a skiing destination.

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

Cleveland 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 Cleveland can be an interesting and educational experience. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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 Cleveland or Denver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cleveland and Denver can be difficult as they are each reasonable in their own way.

Cleveland offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

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.

Is Cleveland or Denver Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cleveland and Denver.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Denver has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cleveland or Denver Better for Music?

Cleveland is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Denver is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland is very popular with diverse venues. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Denver is not a live music destination.

Is Cleveland or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Denver has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Denver?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cleveland and Denver.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Denver offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Cleveland or Denver Better for Families?

Cleveland and Denver are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Cleveland is a family-friendly city. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Denver. 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 Cleveland or Denver Better for Couples?

Denver is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Denver is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Cleveland or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Denver. 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.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Denver is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Cleveland or Denver a more walkable city?

Cleveland is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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 Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Denver?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Denver than Cleveland. 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 Denver than Cleveland 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 Denver.

One day in Cleveland or Denver?

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

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Denver. 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 Cleveland or Denver?

Cleveland 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.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the accessible destination of Denver. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. 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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the suburban city of Denver. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cleveland or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Cleveland. 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 choice for travelers. 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 in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland 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.