A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Rapid City for Families, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orlando or Rapid City?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Rapid City? 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a entertaining, active, and family-friendly city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and theater.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a fascinating, activity-filled, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking.

Orlando and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Rapid City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Orlando than Rapid City. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Orlando is very popular for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Rapid City attracts visitors for its museums and hiking. Orlando is more touristy than Rapid City and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also well known for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Rapid City is famous for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks.

How is Orlando different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Rapid City?

Rapid City is renowned for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Rapid City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Theater?

Orlando is very good for its theatre productions. However, Rapid City is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Rapid City is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orlando is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Orlando has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rapid City area. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Orlando is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Resorts?

Orlando is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Rapid City is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Orlando is a perfect choice. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is great for hiking. However, Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rapid City for the hiking trails. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Rapid City?

Orlando is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Orlando is well-known for its shopping. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Many visitors go to Rapid City to go shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Christmas?

Orlando is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Rapid City does not offer Christmas activities.

Orlando offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

Rapid City does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Orlando or Rapid City.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Orlando is a very family-friendly destination. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

Rapid City is one of the most popular family destinations. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Couples?

Rapid City is great for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Rapid City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

Rapid City is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Students?

Orlando is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Rapid City is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Rapid City is not popular with students.

Is Orlando or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orlando and Rapid City both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Is Orlando or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Rapid City is adequate for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Rapid City is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Orlando or Rapid City. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rapid City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 2-4 days is enough time in Rapid City.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rapid City than Orlando. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rapid City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Orlando 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 Rapid City.

One day in Orlando or Rapid City?

With theater and nightlife around the active city of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Rapid City, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or Rapid City?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

Five days in Orlando or Rapid City?

Orlando, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Rapid City is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Orlando or Rapid City?

Orlando is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rapid City. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Rapid City. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Rapid City, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Rapid City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rapid City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rapid City 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Rapid City.

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

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Rapid City?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Rapid City, 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.