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

Should you visit Columbia or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Minneapolis? 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. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Columbia travel costs.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Columbia and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Minneapolis?

You'll generally find more things to do in Minneapolis than Columbia. Minneapolis is bigger than Columbia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Minneapolis is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art 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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

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 Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Minneapolis offers plenty to do in the evening. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Minneapolis make it a world-class shopping destination. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis Better for Families?

Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is a very kid-friendly city. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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 Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Minneapolis is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

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 Minneapolis Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a well-known place for students. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

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

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Minneapolis has a few public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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

Is Columbia or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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 Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Columbia or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Columbia or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Columbia. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Minneapolis offers food and shopping. 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbia. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Minneapolis 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Minneapolis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Minneapolis?

The welcoming city of Columbia offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping 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 Minneapolis?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Columbia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia or Minneapolis in the Summer?

Both Minneapolis and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Columbia is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Minneapolis. Many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Columbia is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Minneapolis in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Minneapolis. Most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 15°F (-10°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Minneapolis in the Spring?

Both Minneapolis and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

Columbia is much warmer than Minneapolis in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Minneapolis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Columbia