A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Durango for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Charlotte or Durango?

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 Charlotte and Durango can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Charlotte travel costs.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic 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. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Charlotte and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Durango?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charlotte than Durango, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charlotte is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Durango is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Charlotte different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Charlotte or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is adequate for skiing. However, Charlotte 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.

Charlotte is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Durango?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Durango and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charlotte is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Charlotte. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. 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 Charlotte or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Charlotte is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

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 Charlotte or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte 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."

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlotte or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is great for hiking. However, Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Durango for the hiking trails. 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.

Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Durango?

Charlotte is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Charlotte. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. 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.

Is Charlotte or Durango More Beautiful?

Durango is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Durango offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlotte or Durango Better for Families?

Durango is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Durango. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Charlotte or Durango Better for Couples?

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

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

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 Charlotte or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.

Durango is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Charlotte or Durango Better for Students?

Charlotte is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Durango is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Durango is not popular with students.

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

Charlotte is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Charlotte has some public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Charlotte or Durango a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Durango. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Durango?

In Charlotte, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Charlotte or Durango?

In Charlotte, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Charlotte has to offer.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.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 Charlotte or Durango?

Charlotte 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.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Durango?

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

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Durango?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Durango, 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.