A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia River Gorge vs. Cody, Wyoming for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming, 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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a scenic, natural, and beautiful region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a historic, fascinating, and activity-filled town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cody, Wyoming. Although Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming are both popular with visitors, Cody, Wyoming has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cody, Wyoming is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Columbia River Gorge is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Columbia River Gorge is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. Cody, Wyoming is popular for it's Wild West atmosphere and its founder, Buffalo Bill. It is also home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

How is Columbia River Gorge different from Cody, Wyoming?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cody, Wyoming and Columbia River Gorge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Cody, Wyoming is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cody, Wyoming can be an interesting and educational experience. There are some interesting local museums around town. One of the most popular is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There are also several gun museums like the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum. For history, check out the Museum of the Plains Indian or the Cody Heritage Museum.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Cody, Wyoming. Most of the restaurants offer a nod to the Wild West theme. There's a soda saloon, barbecue joints, and old fashioned saloons where you can grab a thick steak or fried green tomatoes. Many have fun decor and a family-friendly vibe that sets the atmosphere.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Nightlife?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cody, Wyoming. The nightlife scene, like everything else in town, stays true to the Wild West theme. You'll find cowboys and cowgirls on the dance floor and enjoy live music and cold drinks at the local bar.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for its Old Town?

Cody, Wyoming is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cody, Wyoming to see the historical old town. The historic downtown is small, just a few blocks along Sheridan Avenue, but it's filled with personality. The buildings have local character and highlight the town's past.

Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Columbia River Gorge. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Cody, Wyoming has hiking trails worth exploring. It's not hard to get out of town and enjoy some hiking. Trails take you through the local landscapes and sometimes offer you the opportunity to see local wildlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Cody, Wyoming is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cody, Wyoming is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find quirky shops, local vendors, and sporting equipment stores around town. Whether you want to pick up a souvenir or browse the Wild West paraphernalia, shopping is a fun activity in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Families?

Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Columbia River Gorge is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cody, Wyoming is very family-friendly. It's a fun stop off for families who are visiting the national parks in the area. There are diverse activities that will give the kids a break from hiking and nature programs. Make sure you check out the Cody Nite Rodeo, the Old Trail Town, and the horseback riding. For a glimpse at what life was like back in the Wild West, check out a Wild Bunch Gunfighters Show.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Couples?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for romance. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Columbia River Gorge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Cody, Wyoming makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, this is a fun town to shop, dine, and play. There's horseback riding, historical reenactments, and quirky shops. There's also the opportunity to see wildlife and chat with other travelers.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cody, Wyoming is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Columbia River Gorge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cody, Wyoming is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of campgrounds and cheap motels in the area.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia River Gorge is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cody, Wyoming is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cody, Wyoming. There's no real public transit through town.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming a more walkable city?

Cody, Wyoming is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

Cody, Wyoming is somewhat walkable. The historic downtown can be explored on foot, but anything outside of town will require a car.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable region. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting? and Is Cody, Wyoming Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cody, Wyoming or Columbia River Gorge?

How long in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than Cody, Wyoming. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Columbia River Gorge that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than Cody, Wyoming 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Cody, Wyoming is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cody, Wyoming has to offer.

A weekend in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia River Gorge. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Cody, Wyoming is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Many people visit Cody, Wyoming for five days. Cody, Wyoming is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Cody, Wyoming is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive? and Is Cody, Wyoming Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia River Gorge or Cody, Wyoming?

Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Cody, Wyoming. When comparing the sizes of Columbia River Gorge and Cody, Wyoming, 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.