A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbus vs. Hope for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Columbus or Hope?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Hope? 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.

Columbus

Columbus is a down-to-earth, authentic, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Columbus travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a small, friendly, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Columbus and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Hope?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hope. Although Columbus and Hope are both popular with visitors, Hope has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hope is more popular for its hiking, while Columbus is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Hope is more touristy than Columbus and is known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." It is also home to Othello Tunnels. Columbus is popular for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Columbus different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbus or Hope?

Columbus is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbus or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Columbus and Hope both to be decent destinations.

Columbus offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Columbus is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Columbus has a few options to choose from. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Hope?

Columbus is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbus or Hope.

Columbus is a very family-friendly destination. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Hope is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Couples?

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

Hope makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Hope is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Columbus is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there is a hostel in town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Columbus or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbus is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Columbus or Hope a more walkable city?

Columbus is very good for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Columbus is somewhat walkable. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbus Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Hope?

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

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

One day in Columbus or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Columbus. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The town of Hope offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Columbus or Hope?

Columbus is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hope, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Hope?

You'll find shopping and museums around the down-to-earth destination of Columbus. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope 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 Columbus or Hope?

The welcoming city of Columbus offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Hope?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Hope, 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 Columbus or Hope?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbus or Hope in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Hope. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbus this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Columbus is a little warmer than Hope in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Hope. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbus or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Hope. Many travelers come to Columbus for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Columbus is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbus in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Columbus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Columbus is generally much colder than Hope. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 30°F (-1°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Hope. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbus or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit.

Columbus is a little warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbus usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Columbus