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

Should you visit Columbus or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Phoenix? 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.

Columbus

Columbus is a down-to-earth, authentic, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbus travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Phoenix travel costs.

Columbus and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Phoenix?

You'll generally find more things to do in Phoenix than Columbus. Phoenix is bigger than Columbus, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather. Also, Phoenix is famous for Desert Botanical Garden.

How is Columbus different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Columbus. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbus or Phoenix?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Columbus or Phoenix.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbus or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phoenix is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Columbus or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Columbus and Phoenix.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbus. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Columbus or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Phoenix?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Columbus and Phoenix.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Phoenix offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Columbus or Phoenix Better for Families?

Columbus is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Columbus. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Columbus or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Phoenix is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Columbus or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Columbus and Phoenix.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Columbus or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Columbus is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Columbus is a somewhat walkable city. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbus Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Phoenix?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phoenix than Columbus 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 Phoenix.

One day in Columbus or Phoenix?

In Columbus, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbus or Phoenix?

In Columbus, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbus has to offer.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Phoenix?

Columbus is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix 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 Columbus or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbus. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbus. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbus Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Columbus. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Phoenix, 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 Columbus or Phoenix?

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 Columbus or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Columbus in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Columbus is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbus or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Columbus for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Columbus is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Columbus because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

The weather in Columbus can be very cold. In the winter, Columbus is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Columbus usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbus or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Columbus is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Columbus