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

Should you visit Tampa or Denver?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Denver? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Denver

Denver is a park-filled, suburban, and accessible 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, hiking, and shopping. See Denver travel costs.

Tampa and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Denver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Denver than Tampa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Denver is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. 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 Tampa different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa is not a skiing destination.

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

Denver is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tampa 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 Tampa. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

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 Tampa or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Denver is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Denver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Denver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a well-known place for the beach. However, Denver is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tampa. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Denver is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Denver is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Denver?

Denver is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Families?

Tampa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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 Tampa or Denver Better for Couples?

Denver is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Denver is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

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.

Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Denver is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Denver has some 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 limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Denver a more walkable city?

Tampa is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Denver. In our opinion, Denver has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Denver than Tampa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Denver than Tampa 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 Denver.

One day in Tampa or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Denver, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this park-filled destination offers. This city 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.

A weekend in Tampa or Denver?

Tampa 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denver. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Denver. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the low-key destination of Tampa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Denver. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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.