A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Death Valley National Park vs. Boise for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Death Valley National Park or Boise?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Death Valley National Park and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a striking, vast, and dramatic national park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Boise

Boise is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Death Valley National Park and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Death Valley National Park. Although Death Valley National Park and Boise are popular destinations, Death Valley National Park has more sights and attractions for tourists. Death Valley National Park is very popular for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Boise attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Death Valley National Park is more touristy than Boise and is popular for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. It is also well known for Zabriskie Point. Boise is famous for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Death Valley National Park different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boise and Death Valley National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

Boise is very good for its sights and museums. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boise. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

While most people don't head to Death Valley National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are ghost towns and visitor centers with informational exhibits, but visitors spend most of their time exploring the outdoor environment.

Is the Food Better in Death Valley National Park or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at reasonable restaurants in both Death Valley National Park and Boise.

Death Valley National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are restaurants at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but most visitors prefer to bring their own food so that they can enjoy picnicking in a beautiful setting.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Boise is very good for its evening party scene. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Death Valley National Park doesn't offer many options. Beyond stargazing and relaxing around a campfire, there is no real nightlife in the area.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Resorts?

Death Valley National Park is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Death Valley National Park as a resort destination, but it has a few places. There are historical inns and lodges in and around the park. The privately owned Inn at Death Valley is a popular option in Furnace Creek. If you stay outside the park, you can expect long drives to get most places.

Boise is not a resort destination.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Hiking?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Death Valley National Park. Hikes will take you past desert landscapes, through canyons, and along sand dunes. The views are spectacular and the setting is other-worldly. Hiking is best between the months of November and March, as temperatures can be high other times of the year, particularly during the summer months.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

Boise is very good for its shopping areas. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for shopping.

Many visitors go to Boise to go shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Shopping in Death Valley National Park can be found for those interested. There are a couple of general stores where you can pick up items that you may need.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Families?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park. Kids will love hiking and exploring the vast desert. There are also ghost towns and abandoned mines that will fascinate kids and adults alike. Junior programs, operated by the National Park Service, also offer interesting and educational programming for kids.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Couples?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Death Valley National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The stunning desert landscape will take your breathe away, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when the colors are dramatic and striking. In the evening, the sky fills with stars and couples can enjoy a bit of stargazing.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Death Valley National Park is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boise is lacking in options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Death Valley National Park, as it is a very popular national park for budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and camping in a unique desert environment. There are several campgrounds in the area that range from primitive to developed.

Boise is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Backpackers rarely make their way to this town.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boise is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

Public transit is quite limited in Death Valley National Park. There is no public transportation within the park.

Is Death Valley National Park or Boise a more walkable city?

Boise is a moderate city for its ease of walking around. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its walkability.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

Death Valley National Park is not a very walkable national park. This is a huge national park that requires a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Death Valley National Park?

How long in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Death Valley National Park or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Death Valley National Park than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Death Valley National Park, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

Couples should spend more time in Death Valley National Park than Boise. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Death Valley National Park that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

In Death Valley National Park, many people enjoy the that this dramatic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Boise, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this authentic destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Death Valley National Park. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Boise, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

Death Valley National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Death Valley National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Boise. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.

A week in Death Valley National Park or Boise?

You'll find around the striking destination of Death Valley National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Boise. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Death Valley National Park Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.