A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kennebunkport vs. Reno for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kennebunkport or Reno?

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

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Reno? 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.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a character-filled, charming, and quaint town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reno

Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Kennebunkport and Reno: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kennebunkport than Reno, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kennebunkport is better known for its food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Reno is more popular for its nightlife. Kennebunkport is more touristy than Reno and is known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Also, Kennebunkport is famous for Dock Square. Reno is well known for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Kennebunkport different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Kennebunkport or Reno.

Kennebunkport is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.


Is the Food Better in Kennebunkport or Reno? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kennebunkport has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Reno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Nightlife?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Reno is great for nightlife. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Reno for the nightlife scene. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Reno is not a resort destination.


Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Hiking?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

Kennebunkport is a good destination for hiking. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kennebunkport. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Reno is a great destination for shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Families?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kennebunkport. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.


Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Couples?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Kennebunkport makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Kennebunkport or Reno Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport and Reno both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Kennebunkport or Reno a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport
Reno

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options for its walkability.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable town. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.


For even more information, also check out Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting? and Is Reno Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reno or Kennebunkport?

How long in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kennebunkport and Reno. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport than in Reno. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Kennebunkport, and 1-3 days is enough time in Reno.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kennebunkport than Reno 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 Kennebunkport.


  • How many days in Kennebunkport or Reno? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kennebunkport 2-4 
    Reno 1-3

One day in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Kennebunkport is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the growing destination of Reno. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Kennebunkport is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reno. 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.

Five days in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Kennebunkport is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Reno. This city 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.


A week in Kennebunkport or Reno?

Because Kennebunkport is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Reno. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Reno or Kennebunkport?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kennebunkport is $220, while the average daily cost in Reno is $144. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kennebunkport and Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kennebunkport $124
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kennebunkport $248
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Kennebunkport and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Kennebunkport or Reno? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kennebunkport


Hotels in Reno


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kennebunkport Hotel Prices and Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kennebunkport $49
    Reno $23

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno

Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $219
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $186
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
  • Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Kennebunkport or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno and Kennebunkport change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kennebunkport $67
    Reno $54

Typical Food Prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kennebunkport $21
    Reno $88

Tours and Activities in Kennebunkport

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kennebunkport.

  • 90 Minutes Ghost Walking Tour in Kennebunkport: $30
  • 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour: $50
  • A Tasty Lunchtime Walking Tour: $140
  • Ghost Tour with Folklore, Gossip & Scandals: $29
  • Haunted Ghost Walking Tour: $27
  • Historic District Walking Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno: $129
  • (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
  • 45 Minutes Twinkle Tours in Reno: $130
  • Biking Adventure Tour from Reno: $102
  • Burning Man Art and Downtown Mural Private Tour: $65
  • Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Downtown Reno Tour: $55
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno: $125
  • From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour from Reno: $206
  • Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno: $279

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kennebunkport $31
    Reno $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Reno

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:

  • 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
  • Brewery Tour: $130


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kennebunkport or Reno?

Reno has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Kennebunkport and Reno, 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.