A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Olympic National Park vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Resorts, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

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

Should I visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii? 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.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a vast, pristine, and stunning park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Big Island of Hawaii

Big Island of Hawaii is a relaxing, adventure-filled, and laid back island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Big Island of Hawaii. Although Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii are popular destinations, Big Island of Hawaii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than Olympic National Park and is popular for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. It is also well known for the Waipio Valley Overlook. Olympic National Park is famous for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Olympic National Park different from Big Island of Hawaii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Big Island of Hawaii. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.

Is the Food Better in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Olympic National Park. 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.

Big Island of Hawaii is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.

Is Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Nightlife?

Big Island of Hawaii is a moderate island for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

Most people don't head to Big Island of Hawaii specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The nightlife scene is very chill with many local places that have live music and drinks. You won't find any major nightclubs, but there are karaoke bars and laid back breweries. The most options are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

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

Is Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Resorts?

Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its resorts. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Big Island of Hawaii is a great choice. There are a number of beautiful luxury resorts on the island like the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Olympic National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Big Island of Hawaii a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.

Olympic National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Beaches?

Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Olympic National Park is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Big Island of Hawaii. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii both have fantastic trails.

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.

Many people visit Big Island of Hawaii specifically for its hiking. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.

Is the Shopping Better in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Big Island of Hawaii is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Families?

Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Big Island of Hawaii is a very family-friendly destination. Families will enjoy the laid back island vibe. You can spend some time on the beach and then head inland to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If your kids are adventurous, the island is a great place to dive or snorkel with manta rays. There are also great hikes, helicopter rides, and luaus.

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Couples?

Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for couples.

Big Island of Hawaii makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy a relaxed beach vibe will love a visit to this laid back island. There are upscale resorts as well as independent hotels that have a more personal style. The island also has stunning views, impressive hikes, and countless opportunities for romance.

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

Big Island of Hawaii is a great park to visit for backpackers. This is one of the most popular islands for backpackers. It has a mellow atmosphere that appeals to young travelers. There are also hostels on the island, but transportation can be challenging.

Is Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii offer reasonable public transit options.

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 mostly limited in Big Island of Hawaii. There is a bus service that connects Kona and Hilo. It's called the Hele-On and there are both north and south routes.

Is Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii a more walkable city?

Neither Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii are walkable places.

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

Big Island of Hawaii is not a very walkable park. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.

For even more information, also check out Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii or Olympic National Park?

How long in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Big Island of Hawaii than Olympic National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Olympic National Park, and 5-14 days is enough time in Big Island of Hawaii.

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

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

One day in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Olympic National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Big Island of Hawaii, you'll find shopping and museums. 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.

A weekend in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Olympic National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this park has to offer. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

Many people visit Olympic National Park for five days. Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful park of Olympic National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this park has to offer.

Big Island of Hawaii 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 island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

The stunning destination of Olympic National Park offers food and museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In Big Island of Hawaii, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. 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 island has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii 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 Olympic National Park Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?

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 Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Olympic National Park as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Olympic National Park is generally much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Olympic National Park average around 60°F (15°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympic National Park this time of the year. In the summer, Olympic National Park often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Olympic National Park are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Olympic National Park is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Olympic National Park averages around 51°F (10°C) in October, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Olympic National Park usually receives less sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during autumn. Olympic National Park gets 113 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. In October, Olympic National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Olympic National Park during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Olympic National Park can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Olympic National Park is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Olympic National Park in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In the winter, Olympic National Park often gets less sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun.

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park usually gets more rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Olympic National Park or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Olympic National Park and Big Island of Hawaii. The spring months attract visitors to Olympic National Park because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

In April, Olympic National Park is generally much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Olympic National Park average around 47°F (8°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Olympic National Park usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during spring. Olympic National Park gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the spring. Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Olympic National Park usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Olympic National Park gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Olympic National Park