A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Durango for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Destin or Durango?

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 Destin and Durango can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxing beach town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for hiking and museums.

Destin and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Durango?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although Destin and Durango are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, museums, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Destin is known for its food, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Destin is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Durango is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Destin different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Destin or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a moderate small town for snow skiing. However, Destin is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Destin is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Destin or Durango?

Durango is very good for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Destin is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Destin. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Neither Destin or Durango offer decent nightlife.

People don't go to Destin for the nightlife. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Durango doesn't offer many options. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Resorts?

Destin is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Durango is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Destin to choose from. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Durango is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Beaches?

Destin is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Durango is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Destin for it's beautiful beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is Destin or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is very good for its historic old town. However, Destin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Durango to see the historical old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Destin does not have a historic old town.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin is not a hiking destination.

Durango is a popular spot for hiking. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Durango?

Destin is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is very good for its Christmas activities. However, Destin does not offer Christmas activities.

Durango is a fun destination over Christmas. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Destin does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Destin or Durango.

Destin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Durango is very family-friendly. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Couples?

Destin is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Destin is a nice destination for couples. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is very good for backpackers. However, Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Durango is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Destin or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Destin or Durango offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Public transit is quite limited in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Destin or Durango a more walkable city?

Durango is a moderate small town for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Destin?

How long in Destin or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Destin and Durango. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Durango. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Destin 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 Durango.

One day in Destin or Durango?

In Destin, you'll find food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Destin or Durango?

In Destin, you'll find shopping and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Durango 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.

Five days in Destin or Durango?

Destin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Destin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durango. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Destin or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Destin. In Destin, you'll find shopping and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Durango?

Durango has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin and Durango, 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.