A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Ketchikan for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan. 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 peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard than Ketchikan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Martha's Vineyard is better known for its resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Ketchikan is more popular for its museums, food, and hiking. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Also, Martha's Vineyard is famous for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Ketchikan is well known for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage 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 Ketchikan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Ketchikan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find respectable options in both Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Most people don't head to Ketchikan specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its resorts. However, Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Martha's Vineyard is a perfect choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is notable for its beaches. However, Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Ketchikan is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

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.

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

Martha's Vineyard is notable for shopping. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Martha's Vineyard is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Ketchikan is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Ketchikan. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for romance. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Martha's Vineyard has plenty to offer. 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.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

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

Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan both offer respectable 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 Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

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

Ketchikan is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Ketchikan is a very walkable destination. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

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

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

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan. In our opinion, Ketchikan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ketchikan than Martha's Vineyard. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan than Martha's Vineyard 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 Ketchikan.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Martha's Vineyard has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With shopping and museums around the quaint town of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Ketchikan?

Martha's Vineyard 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. 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 museums and food when visiting the scenic destination of Ketchikan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Ketchikan?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Ketchikan is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town 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.

When comparing the travel costs between Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Martha's Vineyard during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Martha's Vineyard is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Ketchikan. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Martha's Vineyard is generally a little warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 53°F (12°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. Martha's Vineyard can be very cold during winter. Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In the spring, Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Martha's Vineyard