A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sacramento vs. Colorado Springs for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Colorado Springs, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a laid back, relaxed, and undiscovered city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a friendly, outdoorsy, and healthy mountain town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and museums.

Sacramento and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Colorado Springs than Sacramento. While Sacramento is larger than Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs has more sights and attractions for tourists. Colorado Springs is very popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sacramento attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Sacramento is famous for its history and state capital. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views. It is also well known for Pikes Peak.

How is Sacramento different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Sacramento is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Sacramento is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Sacramento is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Sacramento specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Is the Food Better in Sacramento or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Sacramento and Colorado Springs offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Sacramento has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Colorado Springs area. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Sacramento and Colorado Springs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sacramento. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Colorado Springs has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Colorado Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Sacramento is very good for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sacramento is a great destination for shopping. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Colorado Springs is very family-friendly. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Colorado Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sacramento is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Sacramento or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Sacramento and Colorado Springs are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Sacramento is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

Colorado Springs is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sacramento Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Sacramento 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Sacramento. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With museums and nightlife around the healthy mountain town of Colorado Springs, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the laid back city of Sacramento. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Colorado Springs, 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. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town.

Five days in Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Sacramento is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Colorado Springs, a popular mountain town, 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 Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Sacramento is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Colorado Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Colorado Springs, 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 Sacramento or Colorado Springs?

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 Sacramento or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

Both Colorado Springs and Sacramento during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 76°F (24°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Sacramento usually gets less rain in July than Colorado Springs. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Colorado Springs. The autumn months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

Sacramento is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Sacramento usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sacramento or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Colorado Springs. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Colorado Springs. In the winter, Sacramento is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sacramento in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).

Sacramento usually gets more rain in January than Colorado Springs. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Sacramento is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 58°F (15°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In April, Sacramento usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Sacramento