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

Should you visit Richmond or Denver?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Richmond and Denver can help you decide which place is right for you.

Richmond

Richmond is a growing, friendly, and historical city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Denver

Denver is a sprawling, park-filled, and suburban city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include skiing, nightlife, and hiking.

Richmond and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Richmond or Denver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Denver than Richmond, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Denver is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and big city activities, while Richmond is known for its museums and food. Richmond is more touristy than Denver and is known for its cultural and historical sights. Denver is popular for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area. It is also home to Red Rocks Park.

How is Richmond different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is very good for snow skiing. However, Richmond is not a skiing destination.

Head to Denver for some great skiing and other winter activities. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Richmond is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Richmond or Denver?

Richmond is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Richmond can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Is the Food Better in Richmond or Denver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Richmond is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Richmond and Denver.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Richmond or Denver?

Both Richmond and Denver are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Richmond to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Denver. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Richmond or Denver.

Richmond is a family-friendly place to visit. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Denver is a family-friendly city. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Couples?

Both Richmond and Denver are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Richmond is a good city for couples to visit. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Denver is a nice destination for couples. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Students?

Richmond and Denver are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Richmond is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Is Richmond or Denver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Denver is very good for its public transit. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Denver has a few public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Public transit is mostly limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Richmond or Denver a more walkable city?

Richmond is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Richmond is a somewhat walkable place. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Richmond Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Richmond?

How long in Richmond or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Richmond and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Denver than in Richmond. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Richmond, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

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

One day in Richmond or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Richmond. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The city of Denver offers skiing and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Richmond or Denver?

Richmond is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Denver is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Denver, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Richmond or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Richmond. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Denver is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Richmond or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the growing destination of Richmond. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Denver is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Richmond or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Richmond and Denver, 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.