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

Should you visit Colorado Springs or Boise?

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 Colorado Springs and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a friendly, outdoorsy, and healthy mountain town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and museums.

Boise

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

Colorado Springs and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Colorado Springs or Boise?

You'll generally find more things to do in Colorado Springs than Boise. Colorado Springs is bigger than Boise, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Colorado Springs is better known for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Boise is more popular for its shopping. Colorado Springs is well known for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views. Also, Colorado Springs is famous for Pikes Peak. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Colorado Springs different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Boise 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.

Boise is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Colorado Springs and Boise have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

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 Colorado Springs or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Colorado Springs is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

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 Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Colorado Springs or Boise has a better nightlife scene.

Colorado Springs has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Boise has a few options to choose from. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Is Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

People visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Colorado Springs or Boise?

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

Boise is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Families?

Colorado Springs 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 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.

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 Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Couples?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Colorado Springs is a good mountain town for couples to visit. 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.

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 Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Colorado Springs. 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.

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 Colorado Springs or Boise Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Boise is not popular with students.

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

Boise is not popular with students.

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

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

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

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 Colorado Springs or Boise a more walkable city?

Colorado Springs and Boise both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

Boise is generally not a very walkable mountain 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 Colorado Springs Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Colorado Springs?

How long in Colorado Springs or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Colorado Springs or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Colorado Springs than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Colorado Springs, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

Families should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Boise. 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 Colorado Springs than Boise. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Colorado Springs 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 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Colorado Springs or Boise?

In Colorado Springs, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this welcoming destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This mountain 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Boise. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Colorado Springs or Boise?

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

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the welcoming city of Boise. 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.

Five days in Colorado Springs or Boise?

Colorado Springs is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Colorado Springs. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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. 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.

A week in Colorado Springs or Boise?

You'll find nightlife and food around the welcoming destination of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boise 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Colorado Springs and Boise, we can see that Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Colorado Springs or Boise?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boise. When comparing the sizes of Colorado Springs 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.