A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colorado Springs vs. Calgary for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Colorado Springs or Calgary?

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 Calgary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a outdoorsy, healthy, and welcoming mountain town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife. See Colorado Springs travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Colorado Springs and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Colorado Springs or Calgary?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Colorado Springs than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Colorado Springs is very popular for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Calgary attracts visitors for its shopping. Calgary is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views. It is also well known for Pikes Peak.

How is Colorado Springs different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a mountain town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Calgary is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Colorado Springs and Calgary have nice 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.

Calgary offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Is the Food Better in Colorado Springs or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Colorado Springs is a mountain town with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Colorado Springs. 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.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Colorado Springs or Calgary 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 Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Around Colorado Springs visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Colorado Springs or Calgary?

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

Calgary is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary More Beautiful?

Colorado Springs is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Colorado Springs is a very kid-friendly mountain town. 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.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Couples?

Both Colorado Springs and Calgary are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Calgary makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs and Calgary are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Colorado Springs is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Colorado Springs or Calgary Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is a mountain town with good options for students. However, Calgary is not popular with students.

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

Calgary is not popular with students.

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Calgary, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

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 Calgary a more walkable city?

Colorado Springs and Calgary both are reasonable 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.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable mountain town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Colorado Springs?

How long in Colorado Springs or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Colorado Springs or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Colorado Springs than Calgary 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 Calgary.

Families should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Calgary. 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 Calgary. 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 Calgary 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 Calgary?

In Colorado Springs, you'll find museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the western destination of Calgary. 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 Calgary?

In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Colorado Springs has to offer.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the western city of Calgary. 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 Calgary?

Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Calgary 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 Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Colorado Springs. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Calgary 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Colorado Springs and Calgary, 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 Calgary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Colorado Springs or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Colorado Springs and Calgary, 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.