A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Acadia National Park vs. Durango for Hiking, Families, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit Acadia National Park or Durango?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Acadia National Park or Durango, 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.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a picturesque, beautiful, and scenic national park. Acadia National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches and hiking. See Acadia National Park travel costs.

Durango

Durango is a quaint, scenic, and nature-filled small town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Durango offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Acadia National Park and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acadia National Park or Durango?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Durango than Acadia National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Durango is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Acadia National Park is more popular for its beaches and impressive beauty. Acadia National Park is more touristy than Durango and is known for its scenic drives, beautiful fall foliage, and cross country skiing in the winter. Durango is well known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. Also, Durango is famous for The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Acadia National Park different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Acadia National Park is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Durango for snow skiing. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Acadia National Park is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acadia National Park or Durango?

Durango is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Durango. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Acadia National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are educational centers and Ranger Programs at the visitor centers in the park.

Is the Food Better in Acadia National Park or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Acadia National Park and Durango both to be respectable destinations.

Acadia National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There's one restaurant in the park, the Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner between mid-May and October. Many visitors prefer to bring their own food and enjoy meals at one of the six picnic areas.

Durango offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Neither Acadia National Park or Durango offer decent nightlife.

Acadia National Park doesn't offer many options. The park is more about sunsets and stargazing than lively nightlife parties.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Beaches?

Acadia National Park is a good destination for its beaches. However, Durango is not a beach destination.

Acadia National Park offers a nice beach destination. There is one oceanside beach in the park, Sand Beach, as well as two lakefront beaches, Echo Lake Beach and Lake Wood. Many visitors enjoy swimming during the warmer months.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Acadia National Park does not have a historic old town.

Durango has an old town worth visiting. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Acadia National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Hiking?

Acadia National Park and Durango are both places where visitors can find great hiking trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Acadia National Park. With 158 miles of hiking trails, this is a favorite activity for visitors to the park. There are diverse habitats that trails pass through including forests, estuaries, and coastal settings.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Acadia National Park or Durango?

Durango is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Durango has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Acadia National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are several park stores near visitor centers and campgrounds.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango More Beautiful?

Acadia National Park is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Acadia National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic ocean views and beautiful hiking trails make this a popular and scenic national park.

Durango is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Families?

Acadia National Park and Durango are both great destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Acadia National Park. There are campgrounds and games that kids will enjoy. There are also Ranger Programs and hiking trails that are great for kids of all ages.

Durango is a very family-friendly place to visit. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Couples?

Acadia National Park is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Acadia National Park is a nice destination for couples. The natural beauty and scenic trails make this a romantic destination for couples.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Acadia National Park and Durango are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Acadia National Park. There are campgrounds and hiking trails that attracts hikers and backpackers who enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Durango is a good national park to visit for backpackers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

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

Acadia National Park is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Acadia National Park. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus operates between late June and early October.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Acadia National Park or Durango a more walkable city?

Acadia National Park and Durango are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Acadia National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. There are countless hiking trails, but having a car allows more efficient access to everything that the park has to offer.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Durango or Acadia National Park?

How long in Acadia National Park or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Acadia National Park and Durango. In our opinion, Durango has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Durango than Acadia National Park. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Acadia National Park, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Acadia National Park 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 Durango.

One day in Acadia National Park or Durango?

In Acadia National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Acadia National Park or Durango?

In Acadia National Park, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Acadia National Park has to offer.

Durango is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Acadia National Park or Durango?

Acadia National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Many people visit Durango for five days. Durango is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

A week in Acadia National Park or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Acadia National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Acadia National Park. 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.

Because Durango is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. 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 Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Acadia National Park and Durango, we can see that Acadia National Park 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 Acadia National Park Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.