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

Should you visit Hershey or Providence?

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

Should I visit Hershey or Providence? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. It's also popular because of the shopping and museums.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hershey and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hershey or Providence?

Both Providence and Hershey have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Hershey is better known for its resorts, while Providence is more popular for its food and nightlife. Hershey is more touristy than Providence and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Hershey different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hershey or Providence?

Both Hershey and Providence have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Hershey is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

Providence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Is the Food Better in Hershey or Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Providence is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Providence has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Resorts?

Hershey is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Providence is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hershey to choose from. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hershey or Providence?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Providence and Hershey.

Hershey is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Families?

Hershey is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hershey is very family-friendly. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Couples?

Hershey is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Hershey is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is a great destination for students. However, Hershey is not popular with students.

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Hershey is not popular with students.

Is Hershey or Providence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Providence is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Providence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Hershey or Providence a more walkable city?

Providence is a great destination for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable town. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Hershey Worth Visiting? and Is Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Hershey?

How long in Hershey or Providence?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hershey and Providence. In our opinion, Providence has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Providence than Hershey. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Providence than Hershey 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 Providence.

One day in Hershey or Providence?

With museums and shopping around the fun-filled town of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Providence, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Hershey or Providence?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Providence, 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 Providence has to offer.

Five days in Hershey or Providence?

Hershey, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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 Hershey or Providence?

Hershey is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Providence. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Providence. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Hershey and Providence, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive? and Is Providence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hershey or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Hershey and Providence, 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 Hershey or Providence?

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 Hershey or Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Hershey during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hershey is generally around the same temperature as Providence. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 77°F (25°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hershey. In the summer, Hershey often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Hershey gets 310 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun.

Hershey usually gets more rain in July than Providence. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Providence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Providence. The autumn months attract visitors to Hershey because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

Hershey is a little warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. Hershey usually receives less sunshine than Providence during autumn. Hershey gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hershey usually receives less rain than Providence. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hershey or Providence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Providence. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hershey this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. In the winter, Hershey is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hershey in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Hershey often gets less sunshine than Providence. Hershey gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.

Hershey usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Providence in the Spring?

Both Providence and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Hershey is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 53°F (12°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. Hershey usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during spring. Hershey gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hershey usually receives less rain than Providence. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Providence and Hershey