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

Should you visit Baltimore or Denver?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Denver can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a vibrant, diverse, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Baltimore travel costs.

Denver

Denver is a suburban, accessible, and sprawling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Denver travel costs.

Baltimore and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Denver?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore. Although Baltimore and Denver are about the same size, Baltimore has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Baltimore is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Denver is more popular for its skiing and hiking. Baltimore is more touristy than Denver and is known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Also, Baltimore is famous for the National Aquarium. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

How is Baltimore different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Baltimore or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is very good for winter skiing. However, Baltimore is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. 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.

Baltimore is not a skiing destination.

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

Baltimore is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Baltimore can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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.

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

Baltimore is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Baltimore offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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.

Is Baltimore or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Denver. 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.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Denver?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

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.

Is Baltimore or Denver Better for Families?

Baltimore 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.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

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 Baltimore or Denver Better for Couples?

Both Baltimore and Denver are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

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.

Is Baltimore or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Baltimore or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Denver is popular with students. 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Baltimore has some very good public transit options. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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.

Is Baltimore or Denver a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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 Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Denver?

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

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

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

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

One day in Baltimore or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Denver. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Baltimore or Denver?

Baltimore 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.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the sprawling destination of Denver. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Baltimore or Denver?

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

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the sprawling city of Denver. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Baltimore or Denver?

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

Denver is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Baltimore 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 Baltimore Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Denver?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore 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.