A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Providence vs. Anchorage for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Providence or Anchorage?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Providence and Anchorage. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a breathtaking, cultural, and artsy city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Providence and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Anchorage?

You'll generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Providence. Anchorage is bigger than Providence, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Anchorage is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Providence is more popular for its food and nightlife. Anchorage is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Also, Anchorage is famous for Chugach State Park. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Providence or Anchorage?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Anchorage and Providence.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Providence. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Anchorage is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Providence or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Providence is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Anchorage is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Anchorage?

If you're looking to go shopping, Providence and Anchorage both offer plenty of notable spots.

Providence has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Anchorage is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Families?

Both Providence and Anchorage are notable family-friendly destinations.

Providence offers lots of family activities. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Anchorage is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Anchorage is a great city for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Anchorage is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Students?

Providence is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Providence. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

Is Providence or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Providence or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Providence is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Providence Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Providence?

How long in Providence or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Providence and Anchorage. In our opinion, Providence has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Providence than Anchorage. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Providence, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

One day in Providence or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Providence. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the artsy city of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Anchorage, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Providence or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Providence. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the destination of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Providence or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Providence. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Providence or Anchorage?

Providence is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Anchorage is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Providence and Anchorage, we can see that Providence 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 Providence Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Providence or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Anchorage, 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 Providence or Anchorage?

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 Providence or Anchorage in the Summer?

Both Anchorage and Providence during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Providence is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Anchorage averages at about 59°F (15°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Providence. In the summer, Providence often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Providence usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Anchorage. The autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the autumn. In October, Providence is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Providence usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Providence usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Providence or Anchorage in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Providence as well as Anchorage. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Providence this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. It's quite cold in Providence in the winter. Providence is much warmer than Anchorage in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Providence often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Providence usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the spring for the natural beauty.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Providence is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Anchorage averages at about 36°F (2°C).

It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage during spring. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Providence usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Providence