A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Olympic National Park for Backpackers, Resorts, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Key West or Olympic National Park?

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

Should I visit Key West or Olympic National Park? 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.

Key West

Key West is a quaint, laid-back, and quirky town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a pristine, stunning, and vast park. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Key West and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Olympic National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Key West than Olympic National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Key West is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Olympic National Park is more popular for its museums and hiking. Key West is more touristy than Olympic National Park and is known for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Also, Key West is famous for Duval Street. Olympic National Park is well known for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Key West different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key West or Olympic National Park?

Olympic National Park is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Olympic National Park offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key West or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Key West and Olympic National Park.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Key West. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Olympic National Park is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Key West is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

Key West offers plenty to do in the evening. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Key West and Olympic National Park offer a relatively similar set of high quality luxury resort options.

Key West is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Olympic National Park. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Olympic National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Key West has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Olympic National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Beaches?

Key West is a well-known place for the beache. However, Olympic National Park is not a beach destination.

Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Olympic National Park is not a beach destination. The park has a rugged coastline with sandy beaches. Many people enjoy exploring the tidal pools or watching the sun set. Some of the best beaches include Kalaloch Beach, Beach 4, and Ruby Beach.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for its Old Town?

Key West is a well-known place for its old town. However, Olympic National Park does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Olympic National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Key West is not a hiking destination.

People visit Olympic National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

Key West is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Olympic National Park?

Both Key West and Olympic National Park are respectable shopping destinations.

If you're looking to go shopping, Key West has some nice offerings. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Key West or Olympic National Park.

Key West is a very kid-friendly town. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Olympic National Park. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Key West and Olympic National Park make for a high quality place to visit.

Key West is a very popular place to visit for couples. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is renowned for backpackers. However, Key West is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Olympic National Park. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Key West is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Key West is a pretty expensive destination, but there are Airbnbs and even a hostel or two that cater to budget backpackers.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Students?

Key West is a well-known place for students. However, Olympic National Park is not popular with students.

Key West is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Olympic National Park is not popular with students.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Olympic National Park is a moderate park for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Public transit is quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Key West or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Key West is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

Key West is a somewhat walkable place. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

For even more information, also check out Is Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Key West?

How long in Key West or Olympic National Park?

In either Key West or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Key West than Olympic National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Olympic National Park than Key West 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 Olympic National Park.

One day in Key West or Olympic National Park?

In Key West, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful park of Olympic National Park offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Key West or Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key West. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It offers something for everyone.

Olympic National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this park makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Olympic National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Key West or Olympic National Park?

Key West is a fun place to experience. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Olympic National Park, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Key West or Olympic National Park?

In Key West, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Olympic National Park is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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. This park offers something for everyone.

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

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

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

When is the best time to visit Key West or Olympic National Park?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Key West or Olympic National Park in the Summer?

Both Olympic National Park and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

Key West is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Olympic National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during summer. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Key West usually receives more rain than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key West or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Key West during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Key West is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key West in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 51°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. In the autumn, Key West often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun.

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually gets less rain in October than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Should I visit Key West or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Olympic National Park. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Olympic National Park can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Key West is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 70°F (21°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during winter. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Key West usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key West or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Key West as well as Olympic National Park. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Key West is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the spring, Key West often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Key West usually gets less rain in April than Olympic National Park. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Key West