A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Providence vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 active, friendly, and fascinating city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Providence attracts visitors for its nightlife. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea can be an enjoyable experience.

Providence has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Providence is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Providence is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Providence is a well-known place for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea 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, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town 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 mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Providence Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Providence?

How long in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Families should spend more time in Providence than Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea than Providence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Providence than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Providence.

One day in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Providence, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating city of Providence, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Providence. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Providence is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Providence is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Providence Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Providence is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Providence usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the autumn, Providence is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Providence in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Providence usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Providence in the winter. In January, Providence is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 28°F (-2°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Providence usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Providence is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Providence usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Providence