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

Should you visit Providence or Boulder?

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 Boulder. 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 fascinating, active, and friendly city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boulder

Boulder is a nature-filled, biker-friendly, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and hiking.

Providence and Boulder: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Boulder?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boulder than Providence. While Providence is larger than Boulder, Boulder has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Boulder is more popular for its skiing, music, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Providence is known for its museums and food. Boulder is more touristy than Providence and is known for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. It is also home to The Flatirons. Providence is popular for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Boulder?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Skiing?

Boulder is adequate for skiing. However, Providence is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Boulder for snow skiing. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Providence is not a skiing destination.

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

Providence is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Boulder is not known for its sights and museums.

Providence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Boulder offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit Boulder for the outdoor activities more than the museums and sights. If have the time you can wander around the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the Museum of Boulder, or see the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art.

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

Providence is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Providence has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Boulder area. This is an often overlooked foodie town, with great farmer's markets and restaurants to try. There are many casual places to eat as well as vegetarian and vegan friendly options everywhere.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Providence and Boulder.

If you're looking for night time activities Providence has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boulder. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Live music is popular and many venues are smaller with a more personal atmosphere. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Music?

Boulder is a good destination for its music scene. However, Providence is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boulder. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Providence is not a live music destination.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Hiking?

Boulder is a great city for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Boulder for the hiking trails. There are many accessible hikes in the area that take you through the mountains, by wildflowers, or up mountain peaks. Popular hikes that are nearby include the Bear Peak Summit Hike, the trails in Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Falls.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Boulder?

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

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

Boulder is a great destination for shopping. The downtown area has many local retailers where you can shop for clothing, art, or home goods. You can also pick up outdoor gear, camping equipment, and any other items you may need in town. Make sure you wander down the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Families?

Both Providence and Boulder are good 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.

Boulder is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages. There are plenty places to get outdoors with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreational activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to explore as well.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Couples?

Providence and Boulder both good destinations for a couple.

Providence is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Boulder is a nice destination for couples. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You can wander down Pearl Street or go for a bike ride. There are also great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and then head to Panorama Point to take in the view.

Is Providence or Boulder Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Boulder. There are a number of backcountry areas in the region that are perfect for backpackers. The city also has a young population and several affordable places to stay.

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 Boulder Better for Students?

For students, both Providence and Boulder are excellent places to visit.

Many students visit 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.

Boulder is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. With the University of Colorado, Boulder in town, this city is a popular spot for students. It's an outdoor enthusiast's perfect base with many outdoor recreational activities in the area.

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

Providence is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Boulder is not known for its public transit.

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town, but you really need a car to fully experience everything that the city has to offer.

Is Providence or Boulder a more walkable city?

Providence is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Boulder is a somewhat walkable city. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Boulder or Providence?

How long in Providence or Boulder?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Providence and Boulder. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boulder than Providence 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 Boulder.

One day in Providence or Boulder?

In Providence, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the biker-friendly city of Boulder, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Providence or Boulder?

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

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Boulder, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Providence or Boulder?

Providence 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.

Boulder, 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 Boulder?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Providence. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Providence. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Boulder 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.

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 Boulder, 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 Boulder Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Providence or Boulder?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Boulder, 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.