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

Should you visit Minneapolis or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Phoenix, 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 diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Minneapolis and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Minneapolis than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Minneapolis, Minneapolis has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Minneapolis is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Minneapolis is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Minneapolis different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

Minneapolis is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Minneapolis. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Minneapolis and Phoenix both to be good 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 Phoenix area. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Minneapolis has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Minneapolis specifically to go shopping. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix Better for Families?

Minneapolis is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Minneapolis. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Minneapolis and Phoenix are both good 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.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Minneapolis. 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Minneapolis is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

While Minneapolis offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Minneapolis or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

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

Families should spend more time in Minneapolis than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Phoenix 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

In Minneapolis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

In Minneapolis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Minneapolis has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Phoenix. This city 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 Phoenix?

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The laid back city of Phoenix offers shopping and museums. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Minneapolis. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Minneapolis and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Minneapolis or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Phoenix. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Minneapolis is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minneapolis in July average around 76°F (25°C), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minneapolis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Phoenix during summer. Minneapolis gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Minneapolis is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 52°F (11°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Minneapolis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Minneapolis can get quite cold in the winter. Minneapolis is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 15°F (-10°C) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Minneapolis usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Minneapolis gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Minneapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Minneapolis is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minneapolis in April average around 49°F (10°C), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Minneapolis. In the spring, Minneapolis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Minneapolis