A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durango vs. Cody, Wyoming for Attractions, Hiking, Families, and Food

Should you visit Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durango and Cody, Wyoming. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a historic, fascinating, and activity-filled town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Durango and Cody, Wyoming: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cody, Wyoming. Although Durango and Cody, Wyoming are both popular with visitors, Cody, Wyoming has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cody, Wyoming is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Durango is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cody, Wyoming is more touristy than Durango and is known for it's Wild West atmosphere and its founder, Buffalo Bill. It is also home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Durango is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities.

How is Durango different from Cody, Wyoming?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Skiing?

Durango is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Cody, Wyoming 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.

Cody, Wyoming is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Cody, Wyoming is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cody, Wyoming. There are some interesting local museums around town. One of the most popular is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There are also several gun museums like the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum. For history, check out the Museum of the Plains Indian or the Cody Heritage Museum.

Durango offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in Durango or Cody, Wyoming? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cody, Wyoming 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 Cody, Wyoming. Most of the restaurants offer a nod to the Wild West theme. There's a soda saloon, barbecue joints, and old fashioned saloons where you can grab a thick steak or fried green tomatoes. Many have fun decor and a family-friendly vibe that sets the atmosphere.

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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Nightlife?

Cody, Wyoming is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cody, Wyoming. The nightlife scene, like everything else in town, stays true to the Wild West theme. You'll find cowboys and cowgirls on the dance floor and enjoy live music and cold drinks at the local bar.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. 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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the good old town areas in both Durango and Cody, Wyoming.

Durango is a good destination for visiting its 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."

Many people head to Cody, Wyoming to see the old town. The historic downtown is small, just a few blocks along Sheridan Avenue, but it's filled with personality. The buildings have local character and highlight the town's past.

Is Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Hiking?

Durango is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Durango. 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.

Cody, Wyoming has hiking trails worth exploring. It's not hard to get out of town and enjoy some hiking. Trails take you through the local landscapes and sometimes offer you the opportunity to see local wildlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Cody, Wyoming is a very popular place for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cody, Wyoming. You'll find quirky shops, local vendors, and sporting equipment stores around town. Whether you want to pick up a souvenir or browse the Wild West paraphernalia, shopping is a fun activity in town.

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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Christmas?

Durango is very good for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Cody, Wyoming does not offer Christmas activities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy Christmas activities while in Durango. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Cody, Wyoming does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Families?

Both Durango and Cody, Wyoming are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Durango is a very family-friendly destination. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Cody, Wyoming is a very kid-friendly small town. It's a fun stop off for families who are visiting the national parks in the area. There are diverse activities that will give the kids a break from hiking and nature programs. Make sure you check out the Cody Nite Rodeo, the Old Trail Town, and the horseback riding. For a glimpse at what life was like back in the Wild West, check out a Wild Bunch Gunfighters Show.

Is Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Couples?

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

Cody, Wyoming is a nice destination for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, this is a fun town to shop, dine, and play. There's horseback riding, historical reenactments, and quirky shops. There's also the opportunity to see wildlife and chat with other travelers.

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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cody, Wyoming is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Cody, Wyoming is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of campgrounds and cheap motels in the area.

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

Neither Durango or Cody, Wyoming offer decent public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cody, Wyoming. There's no real public transit through town.

Is Durango or Cody, Wyoming a more walkable city?

Cody, Wyoming is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Cody, Wyoming is somewhat walkable. The historic downtown can be explored on foot, but anything outside of town will require a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Cody, Wyoming or Durango?

How long in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durango and Cody, Wyoming. In our opinion, Cody, Wyoming has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cody, Wyoming than Durango. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Durango, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cody, Wyoming.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Cody, Wyoming 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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

In Cody, Wyoming, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

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. 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.

In Cody, Wyoming, you'll find food 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 Cody, Wyoming has to offer.

Five days in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This small 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.

Cody, Wyoming 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.

A week in Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Durango is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Durango and Cody, Wyoming, we can see that Cody, Wyoming is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Durango or Cody, Wyoming?

Durango has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Cody, Wyoming. When comparing the sizes of Durango and Cody, Wyoming, 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.