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

Should you visit Colorado Springs or Reno?

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 Reno 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.

Reno

Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Colorado Springs and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Colorado Springs or Reno?

You'll generally find more things to do in Colorado Springs than Reno. Colorado Springs is bigger than Reno, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Colorado Springs is better known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Reno is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Reno is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is popular for its casinos and nightlife scene. 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.

How is Colorado Springs different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Skiing?

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

Reno is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Colorado Springs and Reno 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.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Colorado Springs and Reno.

Colorado Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Reno has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Nightlife?

Reno is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Reno know how to have a good time. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Colorado Springs or Reno?

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

Reno is a great destination for shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Couples?

Both Colorado Springs and Reno are notable 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.

Reno makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

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

Colorado Springs is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno 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.

Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.

Is Colorado Springs or Reno Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not popular with students.

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

Reno 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 Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

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 Reno a more walkable city?

Colorado Springs and Reno 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.

Reno is generally not a very walkable mountain town. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Colorado Springs?

How long in Colorado Springs or Reno?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Reno 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 Reno?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Colorado Springs. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the growing destination of Reno. 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 Reno?

Colorado Springs is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the energetic city of Reno. 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 Reno?

You'll find food and museums around the welcoming destination of Colorado Springs. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reno 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 Reno?

The friendly mountain town of Colorado Springs offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Reno 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 Reno, 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 Reno Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Colorado Springs or Reno?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Colorado Springs and Reno, 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.