A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Shenandoah National Park vs. Detroit for Backpackers, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenandoah National Park and Detroit can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a serene, beautiful, and scenic national park. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Shenandoah National Park and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Detroit. Although Shenandoah National Park and Detroit are both popular with visitors, Detroit has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Detroit is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Shenandoah National Park is known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Shenandoah National Park is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its local wildlife, dramatic viewpoints, and world class hiking trails. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also home to the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Shenandoah National Park different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Skiing?

Shenandoah National Park is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Detroit is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Shenandoah National Park is a great destination to visit. You'll find skiing and snowboarding at nearby Massanutten Resort, which is near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's a family-friendly setting with slopes that are classified as "easiest", "more difficult", and "most difficult".

Detroit is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

Detroit is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Shenandoah National Park 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 Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Shenandoah National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people spend their time outdoors enjoying the setting, there are museums in the area, as well as visitor centers that have exhibits and informative displays.

Is the Food Better in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Shenandoah National Park and Detroit.

Shenandoah National Park is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are several restaurants along skyline drive where you can pick up a casual meal like fried chicken, burgers, or pasta.

Detroit offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is great for its evening party scene. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Detroit for the nightlife scene. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Most people don't head to Shenandoah National Park specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a number of breweries in the area, but most people enjoy stargazing and sitting by the campfire at night.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is renowned for its music scene. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a live music destination.

Detroit has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Shenandoah National Park is not a live music destination.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Hiking?

Shenandoah National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Shenandoah National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are more than 500 miles of trails in the park that pass through varied landscapes and take you to beautiful viewpoints. Visitors range from weekend visitors to long term hikers who come to experience the breathtaking beauty and serene setting.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

Detroit is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for shopping.

Detroit has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Shenandoah National Park is a good destination for shopping. There are a handful of gift shops along Skyline Drive were you can pick up souvenirs or t-shirts.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Families?

Shenandoah National Park is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Shenandoah National Park is very family-friendly. There are tons of kid-friendly hikes to overlooks or waterfalls. Kids will love scrambling over the rocks or running through the forest. There are also plenty of campgrounds where families can hang out, toast marshmallows and enjoy some quality time together.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Couples?

Shenandoah National Park is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Shenandoah National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy nature will love a visit to the park. There are beautiful views and scenic spots that will make for a wonderful and romantic trip. Hiking, biking, and exploring will fill your time with adventure and fun.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shenandoah National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Shenandoah National Park is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers love the hiking trails and backcountry camping. Many people head to the park to escape into nature and enjoy some low key time in a serene setting.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Detroit is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Shenandoah National Park. There's no real public transit in the park.

Is Shenandoah National Park or Detroit a more walkable city?

Detroit is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its walkability.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Shenandoah National Park is not a walkable national park. While there are plenty of hiking trails, a car is a must to reach most trailheads.

For even more information, also check out Is Shenandoah National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Detroit Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Shenandoah National Park?

How long in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shenandoah National Park and Detroit. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than in Detroit. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Shenandoah National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Detroit.

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

One day in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find skiing and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With nightlife and live music around the overlooked city of Detroit, there's plenty to do. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find food and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With live music and food around the under-rated destination of Detroit, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

Shenandoah National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shenandoah National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the overlooked city of Detroit. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shenandoah National Park. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Shenandoah National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Detroit is a great place to explore. 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 length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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 comparing the travel costs between Shenandoah National Park and Detroit, we can see that Detroit 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 Shenandoah National Park Expensive? and Is Detroit Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park or Detroit?

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 Shenandoah National Park or Detroit in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenandoah National Park and Detroit. Most visitors come to Shenandoah National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shenandoah National Park is generally around the same temperature as Detroit. Daily temperatures in Shenandoah National Park average around 77°F (25°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In July, Shenandoah National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Detroit. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shenandoah National Park as well as Detroit. The autumn months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

Shenandoah National Park is around the same temperature as Detroit in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenandoah National Park averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Shenandoah National Park usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit and Shenandoah National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Detroit for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. It's quite cold in Shenandoah National Park in the winter. In the winter, Shenandoah National Park is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenandoah National Park in January average around 32°F (-0°C), and Detroit averages at about 25°F (-4°C).

In January, Shenandoah National Park usually receives more rain than Detroit. Shenandoah National Park gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Shenandoah National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shenandoah National Park for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Shenandoah National Park is generally a little warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Shenandoah National Park average around 54°F (12°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

Shenandoah National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Detroit. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Shenandoah National Park