A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Death Valley National Park for Backpackers, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Death Valley National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a dramatic, striking, and vast national park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Columbia and Death Valley National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Death Valley National Park. Although Columbia and Death Valley National Park are both popular with visitors, Death Valley National Park has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Death Valley National Park is more popular for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Columbia is known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Death Valley National Park is more touristy than Columbia and is known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. It is also home to Zabriskie Point. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Death Valley National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Death Valley National Park and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

Columbia is very good for its sights and museums. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

While most people don't head to Death Valley National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are ghost towns and visitor centers with informational exhibits, but visitors spend most of their time exploring the outdoor environment.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Death Valley National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent restaurants in both Columbia and Death Valley National Park.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbia. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Death Valley National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are restaurants at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but most visitors prefer to bring their own food so that they can enjoy picnicking in a beautiful setting.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is very good for its evening party scene. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Death Valley National Park doesn't offer many options. Beyond stargazing and relaxing around a campfire, there is no real nightlife in the area.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Resorts?

Death Valley National Park is a moderate national park for its resorts. However, Columbia is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Death Valley National Park offers a few options. There are historical inns and lodges in and around the park. The privately owned Inn at Death Valley is a popular option in Furnace Creek. If you stay outside the park, you can expect long drives to get most places.

Columbia is not a resort destination.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Hiking?

Death Valley National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Death Valley National Park is a popular spot for hiking. Hikes will take you past desert landscapes, through canyons, and along sand dunes. The views are spectacular and the setting is other-worldly. Hiking is best between the months of November and March, as temperatures can be high other times of the year, particularly during the summer months.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

Columbia is very good for its shopping areas. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for shopping.

Many visitors go to Columbia to go shopping. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Shopping in Death Valley National Park can be found for those interested. There are a couple of general stores where you can pick up items that you may need.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Families?

Death Valley National Park is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Death Valley National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. Kids will love hiking and exploring the vast desert. There are also ghost towns and abandoned mines that will fascinate kids and adults alike. Junior programs, operated by the National Park Service, also offer interesting and educational programming for kids.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Couples?

Death Valley National Park is a well-known place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Death Valley National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. The stunning desert landscape will take your breathe away, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when the colors are dramatic and striking. In the evening, the sky fills with stars and couples can enjoy a bit of stargazing.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Death Valley National Park is renowned for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Death Valley National Park. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and camping in a unique desert environment. There are several campgrounds in the area that range from primitive to developed.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Students?

Columbia is very good for students. However, Death Valley National Park is not popular with students.

Columbia is a good city to visit for students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Death Valley National Park is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is quite limited in Death Valley National Park. There is no public transportation within the park.

Is Columbia or Death Valley National Park a more walkable city?

Neither Columbia or Death Valley National Park are walkable places.

Columbia is not a walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

Death Valley National Park is not a very walkable city. This is a huge national park that requires a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Death Valley National Park or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Columbia or Death Valley National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Death Valley National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Death Valley National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Death Valley National Park than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Death Valley National Park that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

In Columbia, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this suburban destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful national park of Death Valley National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

In Columbia, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Death Valley National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Death Valley National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.

Death Valley National Park is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Death Valley National Park?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Columbia. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Death Valley National Park is a great place to explore. 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. This national park offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Death Valley National Park, we can see that Death Valley National Park is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Death Valley National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Death Valley National Park than you might in Columbia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Death Valley National Park Expensive?.