A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chimney Rock and Lake Lure vs. Durango for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a beautiful, peaceful, and active recreation area. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Chimney Rock and Lake Lure travel costs.

Durango

Durango is a scenic, nature-filled, and historic small town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. Durango offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Durango than Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Durango is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is more popular for its nightlife. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its beautiful views and fun outdoor activities. Durango is well known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. Also, Durango is famous for The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a small town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Durango is a small town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Durango. 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.

While most people don't head to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There's a museum in Chimney Rock State Park, but most visitors spend their time taking advantage of the outdoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango can be difficult as they are each respectable in their own way.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Within Chimney Rock Park there's a deli and a cafe. Nearby you'll also find casual eateries with pizza or classic American dishes.

Durango offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Most people head into nearby Asheville for the best nightlife.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a small town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure does not have a historic old town.

Durango offers a nice historic old town area. 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."

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure does not have a historic old town.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Hiking?

Both Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango are destinations which offer very good hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. One of the most popular trails in Chimney Rock State Park is The Exclamation Point Trail , which leads to many viewpoints. During the summer and fall seasons the trail can get very crowded. The obvious highlight in the park is Chimney Rock, which is a rock outcropping that offers spectacular views.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Durango and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers in the area, but for the best shopping, head over to Asheville.

Durango is a good destination for shopping. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of notable scenery and beauty in both Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure offers plenty of beauty for visitors. From the top of Chimney Rock there's an impressive view point. The area is also filled with natural beauty and peaceful settings.

Durango is a gorgeous place to visit. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Families?

Both Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango are very good to visit with kids.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area. Head to sliding rock for a fun afternoon. There's also tubing, kayaking, and river rafting nearby. Horseback riding is a fun way to explore a trail, or simply hiking on one of the many paths in the area. You'll also find ziplining and plenty of water activities at the lake.

Durango is a very family-friendly destination. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Couples?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic hotels as well as bed and breakfasts that make for a romantic retreat. Couples who enjoy beautiful outdoor settings and fun adventures will enjoy a weekend trip to the area. There are also local restaurants and a few wineries to explore.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are several great campgrounds and plenty of hiking trails that make this a nice budget or backpacker getaway.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. There is limited public transit in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango a more walkable city?

Durango is a small town with a few options for its ease of walking around. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its walkability.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a very walkable recreation area. The trails and parks in the region are spread out and require a car to access.

For even more information, also check out Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

How long in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango. In our opinion, Durango has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Durango than Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

Families should spend more time in Durango than Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure than Durango 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

One day in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

In Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This recreation area offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

In Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chimney Rock and Lake Lure has to offer.

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Since Durango is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This small town offers something for everyone.

A week in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Many people enjoy the when visiting Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Durango, we can see that Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Durango?

Durango has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. When comparing the sizes of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.