A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chattanooga vs. Kamloops for Hiking, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Chattanooga or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Kamloops? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a thriving, bustling, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Kamloops travel costs.

Chattanooga and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamloops than Chattanooga. While Chattanooga is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing, while Chattanooga is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Chattanooga is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Chattanooga different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Chattanooga is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Chattanooga is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Chattanooga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Chattanooga or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Chattanooga and Kamloops can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chattanooga area. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kamloops. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chattanooga or Kamloops has a better nightlife scene.

Chattanooga has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

If you're looking for night time activities Kamloops has a few options to choose from. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kamloops and Chattanooga.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga to go shopping. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kamloops. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kamloops is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Kamloops make for a good place to visit.

Chattanooga is a good city for couples to visit. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Kamloops is a nice destination for couples. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chattanooga is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Chattanooga can get you to some places easily. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

Public transit is generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Chattanooga or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Chattanooga is a very walkable city. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chattanooga or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chattanooga than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Chattanooga, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga than Kamloops 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 Chattanooga.

One day in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy city of Kamloops. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Chattanooga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chattanooga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nature-filled destination of Kamloops. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The laid-back city of Kamloops offers food and shopping. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Kamloops. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Kamloops, 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.

When is the best time to visit Chattanooga or Kamloops?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Kamloops. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 81°F (27°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Chattanooga is much warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. The weather in Chattanooga can be very cold. In the winter, Chattanooga is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chattanooga in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Kamloops.

In April, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 62°F (17°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Chattanooga