A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Colorado Springs for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs? 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a energetic, lively, and fun beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and beaches.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a welcoming, friendly, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Daytona Beach and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Daytona Beach than Colorado Springs. While Colorado Springs is larger than Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Colorado Springs is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. Colorado Springs is well known for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Daytona Beach different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a moderate mountain town for snow skiing. However, Daytona Beach is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Colorado Springs for snow skiing. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Daytona Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Colorado Springs. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Colorado Springs area. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is terrific for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Daytona Beach is a must-see party destination. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is very good for live music. However, Colorado Springs is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Colorado Springs is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is very good for its beaches. However, Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

People visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Colorado Springs is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Colorado Springs make for a notable place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is a popular place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is terrific for students. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

It's common for students to visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Colorado Springs is a moderate mountain town for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Colorado Springs is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Colorado Springs than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Daytona Beach 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the energetic destination of Daytona Beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the fun beach city of Daytona Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful mountain town of Colorado Springs. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Colorado Springs, 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 Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs?

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 Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Colorado Springs. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Daytona Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Colorado Springs. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

Both Colorado Springs and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine during these months.

Colorado Springs can be very cold during winter. Daytona Beach is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Daytona Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 45°F (7°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Daytona Beach