A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Reno vs. Park City Utah for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Reno or Park City Utah?

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

Should I visit Reno or Park City Utah? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Reno

Reno is a energetic, growing, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a high energy, adventurous, and active town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Reno and Park City Utah: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Reno or Park City Utah?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Park City Utah. Although Reno and Park City Utah are popular destinations, Park City Utah has more sights and attractions for tourists. Park City Utah is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Reno attracts visitors for its museums. Park City Utah is more touristy than Reno and is known for the Sundance Film Festival and world-renowned skiing and snowboarding. It is also well known for Deer Valley Resort. Reno is famous for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Reno different from Park City Utah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Skiing?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for skiing and snowboarding. However, Reno is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Park City Utah should be on your list. Two ski resorts are nearby, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. Park City Mountain is the largest resort in the United States. There are 7,300 acres that include two different base areas, 41 lifts, and 6 terrain parks. There's ski-in ski-out access from the town's Main Street, and options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Deer Valley Resort is a ritzy and upscale option that is more glamorous and high class.

Reno is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reno or Park City Utah?

Reno
Park City Utah

Reno is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Park City Utah is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Reno. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

Park City Utah offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums and some nice art galleries in town. There are also museums at Olympic Park.

Is the Food Better in Reno or Park City Utah? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Park City Utah has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Park City has a wonderful food scene with many award-winning restaurants. Many restaurants offer fine dining experiences and even the more casual options are high priced with high quality dishes. You'll also find many great breakfast restaurants and cafes so you can start your day off with a filling meal.

Reno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Nightlife?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Park City Utah is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. After a day on the slopes, you'll return to a vibrant nightlife scene with bars and live music. Most of the action is concentrated around Main Street and it's easy to walk to most venues, even when the weather is cold and snowy.

The people in Reno know how to have a good time. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.


Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Resorts?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno is not a resort destination.

Park City Utah is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find most of the major chains as well as smaller and more personal hotels. Many hotels have hot tubs and pools, and many offer easy access to the ski gondola.

Reno is not a resort destination.

Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Hiking?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Park City Utah. If you're visiting during a warmer month, hiking is a great way to experience the area's beauty. There are more than 350 miles of hiking trails that pass through forests, canyons, creeks, and mountain ridges. You'll find options for every skill level and regardless of the hike you choose, it's sure to take your breath away.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reno or Park City Utah?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Park City Utah. Wander down the historic Main Street and enjoy shopping at the many quaint vendors and art galleries. There are also outlet malls in town.

Reno is a great destination for shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.


Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Families?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Park City Utah is a very family-friendly destination. There is kid-family skiing, ziplining, and alpine coasters. The free museums at Olympic Park are fun to explore as well and are filled with memorabilia from the 2002 Olympics. Additionally, there are kid-friendly restaurants and playgrounds where the little ones can run around.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Couples?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Park City Utah makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can enjoy the area's many great restaurants and beautiful hikes. There are romantic hotels as well as sleigh rides and evening walks that will make this an unforgettable destination.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Park City Utah. Although the town is notoriously expensive, there is a hostel in town that appeals to backpackers.

Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.


Is Reno or Park City Utah Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Reno is lacking in options for its public transit.

The public transit in Park City Utah can get you to most places easily. There are 13 free bus routes as well as seasonal transportation providers.

Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Reno or Park City Utah a more walkable city?

Reno
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Park City Utah. It's a very walkable town and is easy to explore on foot.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Reno Worth Visiting? and Is Park City Utah Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Park City Utah or Reno?

How long in Reno or Park City Utah?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Park City Utah than Reno 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 Park City Utah.


  • How many days in Reno or Park City Utah? Ideal Length of Stay
    Reno 1-3 
    Park City Utah 3-5

One day in Reno or Park City Utah?

In Reno, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Park City Utah. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.


A weekend in Reno or Park City Utah?

Reno is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Park City Utah is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Reno or Park City Utah?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reno. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the active destination of Park City Utah. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Reno or Park City Utah?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Reno. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

The high energy town of Park City Utah offers skiing and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.


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.


Which place is cheaper, Park City Utah or Reno?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Reno is $144, while the average daily cost in Park City Utah is $320. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Reno and Park City Utah in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Reno $55
    Park City Utah $202
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Reno $110
    Park City Utah $404
Compare Hotels in Reno and Park City Utah

Looking for a hotel in Reno or Park City Utah? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Reno


Hotels in Park City Utah


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Reno Hotel Prices and Park City Utah Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Reno $23
    Park City Utah $72
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno

Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $185
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $66
  • Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Park City Utah

Also for Park City Utah, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Park City Hotels to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $90
  • Departure Transfer from Park City Ski Resort to Provo Airport PVU: $33
  • Canyons Village to Salt Lake Airport (SLC) - Departure Transfer: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Reno or Park City Utah?

Prices for flights to both Park City Utah and Reno change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Reno $54
    Park City Utah $65
Typical Food Prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Reno $88
    Park City Utah $68

Tours and Activities in Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno: $129
  • (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
  • 45 Minutes Twinkle Tours in Reno: $130
  • Biking Adventure Tour from Reno: $102
  • Burning Man Art and Downtown Mural Private Tour: $65
  • Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Downtown Reno Tour: $55
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno: $125
  • From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour from Reno: $206
  • Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno: $279

Tours and Activities in Park City Utah

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Park City Utah.

  • 2 Hours Off Road Tour in Utah: $175
  • Guided Fly Fishing Experience in Park City: $260
  • Park City Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Privately Guided Snowshoe Experience: $108
  • Urban Art and Historical E-Bike Tour in Park City: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Reno $13
    Park City Utah $46

Sample the Local Flavors in Reno

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:

  • 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
  • Brewery Tour: $130


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Park City Utah Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Reno or Park City Utah?

Reno has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Park City Utah. When comparing the sizes of Reno and Park City Utah, 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.