A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Avon vs. Calgary for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Avon or Calgary?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avon and Calgary. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avon

Avon is a scenic, active, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing. See Avon travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Avon and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avon or Calgary?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Avon. Although Avon and Calgary are popular destinations, Avon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Avon is very popular for its skiing, food, resorts, and hiking, while Calgary attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Avon is famous for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort. It is also well known for Avon Recreation Center. Calgary is famous for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Avon different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Skiing?

Avon is well known for winter skiing. However, Calgary is not a skiing destination.

People head to Avon specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avon or Calgary?

Calgary is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

While most people don't head to Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Avon or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avon is a town with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Avon. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Avon and Calgary.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calgary. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Avon is a town with good options for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Avon makes a nice vacation spot. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Avon is a town with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Avon. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Avon or Calgary?

Calgary is a good destination for shopping. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its shopping opportunities.

Calgary is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

If you're looking to go shopping, Avon has some nice offerings. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Families?

Both Avon and Calgary are nice family-friendly destinations.

Avon is a family-friendly place to visit. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Calgary is a family-friendly town. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Couples?

Avon and Calgary both nice destinations for a couple.

Avon is a nice destination for couples. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Calgary makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a good destination for backpackers. However, Avon is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Avon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers prefer to stay closer to the ski facilities.

Is Avon or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Avon and Calgary offer nice public transit options.

Avon has a few public transit options. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Is Avon or Calgary a more walkable city?

Avon is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Avon is a somewhat walkable place. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Avon?

How long in Avon or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Avon or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Avon than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Avon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Avon 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 Calgary.

One day in Avon or Calgary?

In Avon, you'll find food and skiing. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Avon or Calgary?

In Avon, you'll find skiing and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Avon has to offer.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Avon or Calgary?

Avon is a great place to explore. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the western destination of Calgary. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Avon or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avon. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Avon. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The local city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Avon or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Avon. When comparing the sizes of Avon and Calgary, 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.