A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Boulder for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charlottesville or Boulder?

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 Charlottesville and Boulder. 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Boulder

Boulder is a outdoorsy, nature-filled, and biker-friendly city. Boulder is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and hiking. See Boulder travel costs.

Charlottesville and Boulder: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boulder than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boulder is better known for its skiing, food, music, hiking, and shopping, while Charlottesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Boulder is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. Also, Boulder is famous for The Flatirons. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Boulder?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Skiing?

Boulder is adequate for skiing. However, Charlottesville is not a skiing destination.

Boulder is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Charlottesville is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Boulder is not known for its sights and museums.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Boulder offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit Boulder for the outdoor activities more than the museums and sights. If have the time you can wander around the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the Museum of Boulder, or see the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Boulder? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boulder is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Boulder has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. This is an often overlooked foodie town, with great farmer's markets and restaurants to try. There are many casual places to eat as well as vegetarian and vegan friendly options everywhere.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Charlottesville and Boulder.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boulder. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Live music is popular and many venues are smaller with a more personal atmosphere. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Music?

Boulder is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boulder. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its old town. However, Boulder does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Charlottesville. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Boulder does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Hiking?

Boulder is a great city for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Boulder for the hiking trails. There are many accessible hikes in the area that take you through the mountains, by wildflowers, or up mountain peaks. Popular hikes that are nearby include the Bear Peak Summit Hike, the trails in Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Falls.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Boulder is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boulder. The downtown area has many local retailers where you can shop for clothing, art, or home goods. You can also pick up outdoor gear, camping equipment, and any other items you may need in town. Make sure you wander down the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder More Beautiful?

Charlottesville and Boulder are somewhat similar when it comes to the notable scenery.

Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Boulder offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and breathtaking landscapes. Many people move here specifically for the surrounding natural beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Boulder are notable family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Boulder is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages. There are plenty places to get outdoors with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreational activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to explore as well.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Boulder both notable destinations for a couple.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Boulder is a good university town for couples to visit. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You can wander down Pearl Street or go for a bike ride. There are also great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and then head to Panorama Point to take in the view.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boulder is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Boulder. There are a number of backcountry areas in the region that are perfect for backpackers. The city also has a young population and several affordable places to stay.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Boulder is a very popular university town for students and younger travelers. With the University of Colorado, Boulder in town, this city is a popular spot for students. It's an outdoor enthusiast's perfect base with many outdoor recreational activities in the area.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville and Boulder both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is generally limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town, but you really need a car to fully experience everything that the city has to offer.

Is Charlottesville or Boulder a more walkable city?

Boulder is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Boulder is a somewhat walkable place. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike-friendly.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Boulder Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boulder or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Boulder?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boulder than Charlottesville 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 Boulder.

One day in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The biker-friendly destination of Boulder offers nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Charlottesville has to offer.

The city of Boulder offers live music and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Boulder?

Charlottesville 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.

Boulder is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Boulder?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Boulder. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Boulder?

Boulder has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Boulder, 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.