A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cleveland vs. Banff for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cleveland or Banff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Banff, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a diverse, authentic, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and shopping. See Cleveland travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a outdoorsy, sporty, and adventurous town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Banff travel costs.

Cleveland and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Banff. Although Cleveland and Banff are popular destinations, Banff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Banff is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Cleveland attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and music. Banff is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also well known for Lake Louise. Cleveland is famous for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Cleveland different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Cleveland is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Banff is among the best in the world. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Cleveland is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cleveland or Banff?

Cleveland is notable for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cleveland or Banff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Banff is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Banff. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Banff has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Music?

Cleveland is notable for its live music scene. However, Banff is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Cleveland. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Banff is not a live music destination.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Banff draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Banff?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cleveland and Banff.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Banff offers some nice shopping areas. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Cleveland or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Families?

Banff is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Banff is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Banff has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Banff is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Cleveland is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There's little in the area that attracts the backpacker crowd.

Is Cleveland or Banff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Banff is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Banff has some public transit options. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Cleveland or Banff a more walkable city?

Banff is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Banff is very walkable. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Banff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Banff or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Banff?

In either Cleveland or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Cleveland because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cleveland, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Banff than Cleveland 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 Banff.

One day in Cleveland or Banff?

In Cleveland, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Even though Banff 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 Cleveland or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or Banff?

Cleveland is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Cleveland. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Cleveland or Banff?

You'll find live music and shopping around the under-rated destination of Cleveland. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Banff 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Banff?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland and Banff, 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.