A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbus vs. Moncton for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Columbus or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Moncton? 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbus travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

Columbus and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Moncton?

Both Moncton and Columbus have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Columbus is better known for its nightlife, while Moncton is more popular for its food. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Columbus different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moncton 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 Moncton?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Columbus or Moncton.

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.

Moncton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

Moncton is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Moncton. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Columbus or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Columbus is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination for nightlife.

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 Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Moncton?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Columbus and Moncton.

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.

Moncton offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Columbus or Moncton Better for Families?

Columbus is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Columbus. 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.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Columbus or Moncton Better for Couples?

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

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Columbus and Moncton.

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 generally limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Columbus or Moncton a more walkable city?

Columbus and Moncton are notable when it comes to 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.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Columbus or Moncton to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Columbus than Moncton. 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.

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

One day in Columbus or Moncton?

In Columbus, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.

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

A weekend in Columbus or Moncton?

In Columbus, you'll find nightlife 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 Columbus has to offer.

Moncton 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 Moncton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Moncton?

Columbus 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.

Moncton 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 Moncton?

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

Moncton 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Moncton, we can see that Columbus is more expensive. And not only is Moncton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moncton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moncton 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 Moncton.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Moncton?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Moncton, 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Moncton. Most visitors come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Columbus is generally a little warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Moncton. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbus or Moncton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Moncton. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbus because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

Columbus is much warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Moncton. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbus this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. It's quite cold in Columbus in the winter. In the winter, Columbus is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Moncton. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbus or Moncton in the Spring?

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

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Columbus is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbus usually gets less rain in April than Moncton. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Columbus