A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Detroit vs. Anchorage for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Detroit or Anchorage?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Anchorage, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Detroit travel costs.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a artsy, nature-oriented, and outdoorsy city. Anchorage is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Anchorage travel costs.

Detroit and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Detroit than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Detroit is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also well known for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Detroit different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Detroit or Anchorage?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Detroit and Anchorage.

Detroit offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Anchorage. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Detroit or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Detroit and Anchorage can be an enjoyable experience.

Detroit has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Anchorage area. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Detroit offers plenty to do in the evening. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Music?

Detroit is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Detroit is a world class music destination. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Anchorage draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Anchorage?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Detroit and Anchorage.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Anchorage to go shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Detroit or Anchorage More Beautiful?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Anchorage is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city offers access to spectacular beauty. It's surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and vast wilderness.

Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Families?

Detroit and Anchorage are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Detroit is a family-friendly city. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Anchorage. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Anchorage is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Detroit or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Detroit is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Detroit or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Detroit is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Detroit is somewhat walkable. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Detroit and Anchorage. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Anchorage than Detroit 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 Anchorage.

One day in Detroit or Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Detroit. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Detroit has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Anchorage, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

A weekend in Detroit or Anchorage?

You'll find live music and food around the overlooked destination of Detroit. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Anchorage, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer.

Five days in Detroit or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the hardworking city of Detroit. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Detroit or Anchorage?

Detroit is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Anchorage. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Anchorage?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Detroit and Anchorage, 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 Detroit or Anchorage?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Detroit or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Anchorage. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Detroit this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Detroit is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 74°F (24°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the summer, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. Detroit is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Detroit usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Detroit or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Detroit during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Detroit in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. Detroit can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Detroit is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Detroit in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Anchorage. Most visitors come to Detroit for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In April, Detroit is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 49°F (9°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. Detroit usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage during spring. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Detroit usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Detroit