A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sedona vs. Boise for Couples, Food, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Sedona or Boise?

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

Should I visit Sedona or Boise? 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.

Sedona

Sedona is a dramatic, scenic, and striking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Boise

Boise is a welcoming, authentic, and friendly city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sedona and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sedona or Boise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sedona. Although Sedona and Boise are both popular with visitors, Sedona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sedona is more touristy than Boise and is known for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. It is also home to Red Rock Crossing Park. Boise is popular for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Sedona different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sedona or Boise?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sedona and Boise.

Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boise. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Sedona or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Sedona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Sedona and Boise.

If you're looking for night time activities Sedona has a few options to choose from. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Resorts?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

Boise is not a resort destination.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Boise does not have a historic old town.

Sedona has an old town worth visiting. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Boise does not have a historic old town.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Hiking?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sedona. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sedona or Boise?

Sedona is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Boise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sedona specifically to go shopping. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

Boise is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Families?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sedona. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Couples?

Sedona is a must-visit destination for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sedona is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boise is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sedona. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Boise is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Backpackers rarely make their way to this town.

Is Sedona or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sedona and Boise both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

Is Sedona or Boise a more walkable city?

Sedona is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

Sedona is a somewhat walkable town. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Sedona Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Sedona?

How long in Sedona or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sedona or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sedona than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sedona than Boise 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 Sedona.

One day in Sedona or Boise?

Even though Sedona is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the shopping. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Sedona or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sedona. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Boise 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.

Five days in Sedona or Boise?

Sedona is a fun place to experience. Sedona is a small town with plenty to do. Lots of people come for the shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boise. 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.

A week in Sedona or Boise?

Sedona is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Sedona and Boise, we can see that Sedona 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 Sedona Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sedona or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of Sedona and Boise, 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.