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

Should you visit Providence or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Providence and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Phoenix?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Phoenix than Providence. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Phoenix is very popular for its hiking, while Providence attracts visitors for its food. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather. It is also well known for Desert Botanical Garden.

How is Providence different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Phoenix 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.

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

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

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

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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Providence or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

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

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 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.

Is Providence or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Phoenix?

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

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

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Providence or Phoenix Better for Families?

Both Providence and Phoenix are nice 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.

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 Providence or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Providence and Phoenix both nice 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.

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 Providence or Phoenix Better for Students?

Providence is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Providence is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Providence or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Providence is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Providence?

How long in Providence or Phoenix?

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

Families should spend more time in Providence than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Providence 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 Providence.

One day in Providence or Phoenix?

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 museums and nightlife around the sprawling city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Providence or Phoenix?

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 food around the destination of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Providence or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Providence or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Providence is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Providence usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Providence or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Providence during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In the autumn, Providence is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Providence in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Providence. In the autumn, Providence often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Providence usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Phoenix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Providence this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix 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 Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 28°F (-2°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Providence usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Providence usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Providence or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Providence as well as Phoenix.

Providence is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In the spring, Providence often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Providence usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Providence