A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. Olympic National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Olympic National Park can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a stunning, vast, and pristine park. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Phoenix and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Olympic National Park. Although Phoenix and Olympic National Park are both popular with visitors, Olympic National Park has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Olympic National Park is more popular for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its nightlife and shopping. Olympic National Park is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall. It is also home to the Hoh Rain Forest. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Olympic National Park and Phoenix.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. 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.

Olympic National Park is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Is the Food Better in Phoenix or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and Olympic National Park can be an enjoyable experience.

Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Olympic National Park offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Phoenix is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

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.

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

Is Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Olympic National Park is a great park for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

In Olympic National Park, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Olympic National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

Phoenix is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Phoenix offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

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 Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Olympic National Park is a great park 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 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.

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 Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Olympic National Park is a great park for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Olympic National Park is a great park if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. 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 Phoenix or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Olympic National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Phoenix and Olympic National Park both offer decent public transit to get you around.

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

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.

Is Phoenix or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Phoenix is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

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

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

For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

In either Phoenix or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Olympic National Park than Phoenix because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park.

One day in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

In Phoenix, you'll find shopping and museums. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phoenix, one day is sufficent for most.

In Olympic National Park, you'll find food and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.

In Olympic National Park, you'll find museums and food. 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 hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Olympic National Park has to offer.

Five days in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

Phoenix is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Olympic National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the desert destination of Phoenix. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Olympic National Park. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Olympic National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Phoenix or Olympic National Park?

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 Phoenix or Olympic National Park in the Summer?

Both Olympic National Park and Phoenix during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 98°F (36°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In Olympic National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the summer, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in July than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Olympic National Park. Many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Phoenix is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 79°F (26°C) in October, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during autumn. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Phoenix or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Olympic National Park. Most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Olympic National Park because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Olympic National Park can be very cold. In the winter, Phoenix is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phoenix in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 41°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the winter, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Phoenix usually gets less rain in January than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

Both Olympic National Park and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

In April, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 74°F (23°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during spring. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. In April, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Phoenix