A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cleveland vs. Ketchikan for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cleveland or Ketchikan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Ketchikan, 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 under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and shopping. See Cleveland travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a local, scenic, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Cleveland and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ketchikan. Although Cleveland and Ketchikan are both popular with visitors, Ketchikan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ketchikan is more popular for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Cleveland is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and music. Ketchikan is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. It is also home to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Cleveland different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Cleveland specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Ketchikan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Cleveland is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Cleveland or Ketchikan Better for Music?

Cleveland is notable for live music. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a live music destination.

Is Cleveland or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Ketchikan draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Cleveland and Ketchikan.

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.

Ketchikan offers some nice shopping areas. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Cleveland or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

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

Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cleveland or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is a very family-friendly destination. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

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 Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Ketchikan is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

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 Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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 Ketchikan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Cleveland and Ketchikan.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Cleveland or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

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

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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 Ketchikan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cleveland and Ketchikan. In our opinion, Ketchikan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ketchikan than Cleveland. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan.

One day in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cleveland. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cleveland has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Ketchikan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ketchikan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Cleveland. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and food around the local destination of Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the authentic city of Cleveland. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Ketchikan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cleveland or Ketchikan?

Cleveland is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Ketchikan 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Ketchikan?

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

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 Cleveland or Ketchikan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cleveland as well as Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cleveland is much warmer than Ketchikan in the summer. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cleveland usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Cleveland gets 4 inches (101 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

Both Ketchikan and Cleveland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In the autumn, Cleveland is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cleveland in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 46°F (8°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In October, Cleveland usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Cleveland gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cleveland or Ketchikan in the Winter?

Both Ketchikan and Cleveland during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ketchikan. It's quite cold in Cleveland in the winter. In January, Cleveland is generally much colder than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 28°F (-2°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cleveland usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Cleveland gets 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Ketchikan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cleveland and Ketchikan. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Cleveland is much warmer than Ketchikan in the spring. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 51°F (10°C) in April, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cleveland usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Cleveland gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Cleveland