A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cincinnati vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cincinnati or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Halifax? 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.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a hard-working, blue collar, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Cincinnati travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a historical, friendly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Halifax travel costs.

Cincinnati and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Cincinnati or Halifax?

Both Halifax and Cincinnati have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Halifax is more touristy than Cincinnati and is popular for its maritime past. Cincinnati is famous for its breweries and down-to-earth personality.

How is Cincinnati different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cincinnati or Halifax?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Cincinnati is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cincinnati can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.


Is the Food Better in Cincinnati or Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Foodies will find both Cincinnati and Halifax both to be nice destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Cincinnati. Mixed in with the standard chain and fast food options, you'll find some local restaurants that serve up the iconic Midwestern favorites. For a taste of the town, try Cincinnati chili, barbecue ribs, and a corned beef Reuben.

Halifax is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Cincinnati or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cincinnati and Halifax.

Cincinnati has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

If you're looking for night time activities Halifax has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Cincinnati or Halifax?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Shopping is a popular activity in both Halifax and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati offers some nice shopping areas. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Halifax has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.


Is Cincinnati or Halifax Better for Families?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cincinnati or Halifax.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cincinnati. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Halifax offers lots of family activities. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Cincinnati or Halifax Better for Couples?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Halifax is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Cincinnati or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Cincinnati and Halifax are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Halifax is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.


Is Cincinnati or Halifax Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cincinnati
Halifax

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cincinnati and Halifax.

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is Cincinnati or Halifax a more walkable city?

Cincinnati
Halifax

Cincinnati is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Cincinnati is very walkable. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cincinnati Worth Visiting? and Is Halifax Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Cincinnati?

How long in Cincinnati or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cincinnati and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Halifax than in Cincinnati. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cincinnati, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cincinnati than Halifax 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 Cincinnati.


  • How many days in Cincinnati or Halifax? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cincinnati 1-2 
    Halifax 2-3

One day in Cincinnati or Halifax?

In Cincinnati, 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.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Halifax, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Cincinnati or Halifax?

In Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Halifax, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Cincinnati or Halifax?

Cincinnati 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.

Halifax, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Cincinnati or Halifax?

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

Halifax is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Cincinnati?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cincinnati Prices
    USA Prices
    Halifax Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cincinnati $223
    Halifax $137

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $223, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $137. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Halifax? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cincinnati


Hotels in Halifax


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport YHZ: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Cincinnati change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cincinnati $95
    Halifax $54

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour: $14
  • Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket: $16
  • Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music: $21
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Multiple Options: $29
  • Halifax Sunset Cruise Aboard the Tall Ship Silva: $33
  • Best of Halifax Harbour Tour: $40
  • Party Cruise on the Harbour Queen: $42
  • 50-Minute Boat Tour of the Harbour: $42
  • Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music: $42
  • Harbour Hopper City & Water Cruise in a Duck Boat: $56
  • Signature Adventure Sail: $56
  • Solar Waterfront Food/Drink Party Bike Experience: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Halifax

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Halifax:

  • Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley Wine Tour Lead by a Sommelier: $168
  • The Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour: $206


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati and Halifax, 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 Cincinnati or Halifax?

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 Cincinnati or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Halifax in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cincinnati is generally a little warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 79°F (26°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In the summer, Cincinnati often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cincinnati in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Halifax for the shopping scene during these months.

Cincinnati is much warmer than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 58°F (15°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Cincinnati usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Cincinnati during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cincinnati for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Halifax because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Cincinnati can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cincinnati is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cincinnati in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Cincinnati often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cincinnati usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Halifax.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In April, Cincinnati is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 56°F (14°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Halifax. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)