A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Minneapolis vs. Colorado Springs for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Colorado Springs, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a dynamic, innovative, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a friendly, outdoorsy, and healthy mountain town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and museums.

Minneapolis and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis. Although Minneapolis and Colorado Springs are roughly the same size, Minneapolis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Minneapolis is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Colorado Springs attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Minneapolis is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also well known for Mall of America. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Minneapolis different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Minneapolis is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Minneapolis is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Minneapolis is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Minneapolis specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Minneapolis and Colorado Springs both to be nice destinations.

Minneapolis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Colorado Springs area. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Minneapolis know how to have a good time. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Colorado Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Minneapolis is terrific for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Minneapolis is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Minneapolis and Colorado Springs are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Minneapolis is very family-friendly. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Colorado Springs is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Minneapolis and Colorado Springs are both nice to visit as a couple.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Colorado Springs is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a great destination for students. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Minneapolis is very popular with students. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

It's common for students to visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is very good for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Minneapolis or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is very good for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Minneapolis is somewhat walkable. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

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

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

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

One day in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the innovative destination of Minneapolis. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the innovative city of Minneapolis. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Minneapolis is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The friendly mountain town of Colorado Springs offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Colorado Springs. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Colorado Springs, 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 Minneapolis or Colorado Springs?

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 Minneapolis or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

Both Colorado Springs and Minneapolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Minneapolis is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 76°F (25°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in July than Colorado Springs. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Colorado Springs. The autumn months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

Minneapolis is a little warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Colorado Springs. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Colorado Springs. It's quite cold in Minneapolis in the winter. In the winter, Minneapolis is much colder than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Minneapolis in January average around 15°F (-10°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in January than Colorado Springs. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Minneapolis is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 49°F (10°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In April, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Minneapolis