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

Should you visit Galveston 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 Galveston and Durango can help you decide which place is right for you.

Galveston

Galveston is a historic, charming, and coastal town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the hiking and museums.

Galveston and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galveston or Durango?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galveston. Although Galveston and Durango are popular destinations, Galveston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galveston is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Durango attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Galveston is more touristy than Durango and is known for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes. It is also well known for Pleasure Pier. Durango is famous for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities.

How is Galveston different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Galveston or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is adequate for skiing. However, Galveston is not a skiing destination.

Durango is a fun local destination for snow skiers. 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.

Galveston is not a skiing destination.

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

Galveston 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 Galveston. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

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 Galveston or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Galveston 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 Galveston. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

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 Galveston or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Galveston is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Galveston has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

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 Galveston or Durango Better for Beaches?

Galveston is a good destination for its beaches. However, Durango is not a beach destination.

Galveston offers a nice beach destination. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is Galveston or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Galveston and Durango are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Galveston. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Durango offers a nice historic old town area. 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."

Is Galveston or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is great for hiking. However, Galveston is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Durango for the hiking trails. 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.

Galveston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galveston or Durango?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Galveston. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

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 Galveston or Durango Better for Christmas?

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

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting Durango. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Galveston does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Galveston or Durango Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Galveston is very family-friendly. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

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

Is Galveston or Durango Better for Couples?

Galveston is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Galveston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

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 Galveston or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Galveston is not a good destination 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.

Galveston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The beaches are great, but most backpackers don't think to visit Galveston.

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

Galveston is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

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

Is Galveston or Durango a more walkable city?

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

Galveston is somewhat walkable. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

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 Galveston Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Galveston?

How long in Galveston or Durango?

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

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

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

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

One day in Galveston or Durango?

In Galveston, 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.

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Galveston or Durango?

In Galveston, 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 Galveston has to offer.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Galveston or Durango?

Galveston 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.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Galveston or Durango?

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

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galveston and Durango, we can see that Galveston 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston 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 Galveston Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galveston or Durango?

Galveston has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Galveston 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.