A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Boise for Couples, Food, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Boise. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Boise

Boise is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Martha's Vineyard and Boise: Pros and Cons

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


Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Boise are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Boise attracts visitors for its museums and nightlife. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Boise and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Boise is famous for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Boise is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boise. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.


Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Boise is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Boise has a few options to choose from. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Boise is not a resort destination.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Boise is not a beach destination.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Boise is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Boise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Boise is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Families?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly island. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is a must-visit destination for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard and Boise both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Boise a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard
Boise

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Martha's Vineyard or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Martha's Vineyard than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Boise 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 Martha's Vineyard.


  • How many days in Martha's Vineyard or Boise? Ideal Length of Stay
    Martha's Vineyard 1-3 
    Boise 1-2

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Boise, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With shopping and museums around the authentic city of Boise, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.


Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Boise. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boise is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boise or Martha's Vineyard?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Martha's Vineyard is $241, while the average daily cost in Boise is $146. 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 Martha's Vineyard and Boise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Martha's Vineyard $132
    Boise $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Martha's Vineyard $264
    Boise $150
Compare Hotels in Martha's Vineyard and Boise

Looking for a hotel in Martha's Vineyard or Boise? 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 Marthas Vineyard


Hotels in Boise


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: Martha's Vineyard Hotel Prices and Boise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Martha's Vineyard $83
    Boise $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Martha's Vineyard or Boise?

Prices for flights to both Boise and Martha's Vineyard 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
    Martha's Vineyard $60
    Boise $45

Typical Food Prices in Boise

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


  • Hotel
    $59
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)
    $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Martha's Vineyard $30
    Boise $30

Tours and Activities in Martha's Vineyard

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.

  • 3-Hour Martha's Vineyard Island Tour from Oak Bluffs: $65
  • All Island Bus Tour: $65
  • Martha's Vinyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (APP/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Audio Tour: $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Edwards Boise Imax
    $27

Tours and Activities in Boise

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

  • A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $14
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Hells Canyon Kirkwood Jet Boat Tour near Boise, Idaho: $218
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Martha's Vineyard $22
    Boise $24


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

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