A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbia vs. Winnipeg for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Winnipeg?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Winnipeg? 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a friendly, welcoming, and suburban city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Columbia travel costs.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Winnipeg travel costs.

Columbia and Winnipeg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Winnipeg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Winnipeg than Columbia. Winnipeg is bigger than Columbia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Winnipeg is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its festivals, culture, and railway connections. Also, Winnipeg is famous for The Forks. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Winnipeg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Winnipeg?

Winnipeg is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Winnipeg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some unique museums around town including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Other popular museums are the Manitoba Museum and the Manitoba Children's Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Winnipeg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winnipeg is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Winnipeg. You'll find a wide variety of restaurants around town that serve a mix of local dishes and international cuisines. A must-see part of the city is the historic Forks Market.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Nightlife?

Both Columbia and Winnipeg are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winnipeg. The city has an active nightlife, even during the winter months. You'll find dance clubs, bars, and pubs around town that are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Winnipeg?

Both Columbia and Winnipeg are notable shopping destinations.

Columbia offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Winnipeg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town, from boutiques to big box shops and even some outlets.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Winnipeg.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Winnipeg is a family-friendly city. Kids will love a visit to the Assiniboine Park Zoo or the Manitoba Children's Museum. There are a number of parks and playgrounds around town as well as the Prairie Dog Central Railway. There are many kid-friendly restaurants in the city as well.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Couples?

Winnipeg is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Winnipeg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples enjoy wandering through Assiniboine Park. There are also many romantic restaurants and spas for couples.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Winnipeg is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Winnipeg. While it's often overlooked by backpackers, there are a couple of hostels around town.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Students?

Columbia is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Winnipeg is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Winnipeg is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Winnipeg offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Winnipeg. There's a bus system around town, but many visitors prefer to have a vehicle.

Is Columbia or Winnipeg a more walkable city?

Winnipeg is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Winnipeg is generally not very walkable. While there are a few walkable neighborhoods, the city itself is not particularly walkable, particularly during the cold winter months.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Winnipeg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winnipeg or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Winnipeg?

It's fun to spend time in either Columbia or Winnipeg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Winnipeg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Winnipeg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Winnipeg than Columbia 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 Winnipeg.

One day in Columbia or Winnipeg?

The city of Columbia offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Winnipeg offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Columbia or Winnipeg?

Columbia 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Winnipeg 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winnipeg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Winnipeg?

Columbia 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.

Winnipeg 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.

A week in Columbia or Winnipeg?

Columbia is a great place to explore. 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.

Winnipeg is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Winnipeg?

Winnipeg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Winnipeg, 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 Columbia or Winnipeg?

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 Columbia or Winnipeg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Winnipeg. Many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Winnipeg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Columbia is a little warmer than Winnipeg in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winnipeg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 328 hours of full sun.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Winnipeg in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Columbia is much warmer than Winnipeg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Winnipeg averages at about 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Winnipeg during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 147 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Winnipeg in the Winter?

Both Winnipeg and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winnipeg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Winnipeg in the winter. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Winnipeg fluctuates around -17°C (2°F).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 115 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Winnipeg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Winnipeg.

Columbia is much warmer than Winnipeg in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winnipeg this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Winnipeg during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Winnipeg and Columbia