A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Glacier National Park for Backpackers, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Glacier National Park?

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 Durham and Glacier National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a gorgeous, stunning, and breathtaking park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Durham and Glacier National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Glacier National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Glacier National Park than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Glacier National Park is better known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Durham is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Glacier National Park is more touristy than Durham and is known for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes. Also, Glacier National Park is famous for Going-to-the-Sun Road. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Glacier National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Glacier National Park?

Durham is notable for its sights and museums. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its museums and history.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Glacier National Park. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Glacier National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Durham is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its restaurants.

Durham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Glacier National Park. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a popular place for nightlife. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Glacier National Park doesn't offer many options. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Resorts?

Glacier National Park is very good for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Glacier National Park has a few great resort options. There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Hiking?

Glacier National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Glacier National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Glacier National Park?

Durham is a popular place for shopping. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its shopping opportunities.

Durham is a great destination for shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

If you're looking to go shopping, Glacier National Park has some nice offerings. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Glacier National Park.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Glacier National Park is a family-friendly city. The landscapes are spectacular, but the crowds can be intense, which means it can be hard to find places to pull over and park during the peak seasons. Keep this in mind when you're traveling with kids because you may end up spending more time in the car than you'd expected.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Couples?

Glacier National Park is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Glacier National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Drive along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun-Road and take in the truly breathtaking scenery. Many people consider this to be a top destination for a honeymoon and couples will appreciate the impressive hikes, dramatic waterfalls, and adventure-filled activities.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glacier National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Glacier National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. The backcountry is truly pristine, and obtaining a Wilderness Permit and getting off-the-beaten-path will help you escape some of the crowds that the park is known for.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Students?

Durham is notable for students. However, Glacier National Park is not popular with students.

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Glacier National Park is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Glacier National Park offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Glacier National Park. There's a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road that's available on a first-come, first-served basis, but expect crowds. The road can get quite congested during peak times. There are also tours that take you along the road so you can enjoy the scenery without having to focus on driving.

Is Durham or Glacier National Park a more walkable city?

Durham is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its high level of walkability.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

Glacier National Park is not a very walkable city. You'll need a car to get almost anywhere in the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Glacier National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glacier National Park or Durham?

How long in Durham or Glacier National Park?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Glacier National Park. In our opinion, Durham has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Durham than Glacier National Park. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glacier National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Glacier National Park 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 Durham.

One day in Durham or Glacier National Park?

In Durham, you'll find shopping and museums. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Glacier National Park. 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 Durham or Glacier National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.

Glacier National Park 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 Durham or Glacier National Park?

Durham is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glacier National Park. 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 Durham or Glacier National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse destination of Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the stunning destination of Glacier National Park. This park 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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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