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

Should you visit Columbia or Sedona?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Sedona? 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.

Sedona

Sedona is a desert, dramatic, and scenic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Columbia and Sedona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Sedona?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sedona than Columbia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sedona is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. Also, Sedona is famous for Red Rock Crossing Park. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Sedona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Columbia and Sedona.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Sedona. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

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

Sedona 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 Sedona. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

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 Sedona Better for Nightlife?

Both Columbia and Sedona are notable when it comes to partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sedona. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

Is Columbia or Sedona Better for Resorts?

Sedona is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Columbia is not a resort destination.

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

Columbia is not a resort destination.

Is Columbia or Sedona Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a popular place for its old town. However, Columbia does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Sedona to see the old town. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Columbia does not have a historic old town.

Is Columbia or Sedona Better for Hiking?

Sedona is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Sedona is a popular spot for hiking. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Sedona?

Sedona 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 Sedona make it a world-class shopping destination. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

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 Sedona Better for Families?

Sedona 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.

Sedona is a very kid-friendly town. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

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 Sedona Better for Couples?

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

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

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 Sedona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sedona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sedona. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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 Sedona Better for Students?

Columbia is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sedona is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Sedona is not popular with students.

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

Both Columbia and Sedona 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 Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

Is Columbia or Sedona a more walkable city?

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

Sedona is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

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 Sedona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sedona or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Sedona?

In either Columbia or Sedona, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sedona than Columbia because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 3-5 days is enough time in Sedona.

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

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

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

One day in Columbia or Sedona?

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

Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Sedona?

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.

Sedona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Sedona?

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.

Sedona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sedona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Sedona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming 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.

Sedona is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping 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 town 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 Sedona, we can see that Sedona 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 Sedona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sedona 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 Sedona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Sedona?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Sedona, 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.