A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Juneau for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Juneau?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Juneau? 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 friendly, welcoming, and suburban city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Juneau

Juneau is a breathtaking, historic, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Columbia and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Juneau?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Juneau than Columbia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Juneau is better known for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Columbia is more popular for its nightlife. Juneau is more touristy than Columbia and is known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. Also, Juneau is famous for the Mendenhall Glacier. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Juneau 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 Juneau?

Juneau is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

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.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Juneau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Juneau is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Juneau. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Is Columbia or Juneau Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is Columbia or Juneau Better for Hiking?

Juneau is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

People visit Juneau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Juneau?

Juneau is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Juneau is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Columbia or Juneau Better for Families?

Juneau 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.

Juneau is a very kid-friendly city. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

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 Juneau Better for Couples?

Juneau is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Juneau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

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 Juneau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Juneau is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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 Juneau Better for Students?

Columbia is a popular place for students. However, Juneau 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.

Juneau is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Juneau Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Juneau offer respectable public transit options.

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 mostly limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is Columbia or Juneau a more walkable city?

Juneau is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Juneau is a very walkable city. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Juneau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Juneau or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Juneau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Juneau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Juneau than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 2-3 days is enough time in Juneau.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Juneau than Columbia 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 Juneau.

One day in Columbia or Juneau?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Columbia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The beautiful city of Juneau offers food and shopping. 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 Juneau?

Columbia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Juneau is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Juneau, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Juneau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Juneau is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Juneau?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Columbia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Juneau is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Juneau, we can see that Juneau 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 Juneau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Juneau 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 Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Juneau?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Juneau, 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.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Juneau?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Juneau this time of year.

Columbia is much warmer than Juneau in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Juneau fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during summer. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Juneau. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia or Juneau in the Autumn?

Both Juneau and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Columbia is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Juneau averages at about 42°F (6°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the autumn, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 69 hours of full sun.

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Juneau. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Juneau. Many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Juneau can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 24°F (-4°C).

Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during winter. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Columbia usually receives less rain than Juneau. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia or Juneau in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Juneau. Also, most visitors come to Juneau for the natural beauty during these months.

Juneau can be very cold during spring. Columbia is much warmer than Juneau in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Juneau fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the spring, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 185 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Juneau. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Juneau and Columbia