A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Boise for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Destin or Boise?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxing beach town. Destin offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Destin travel costs.

Boise

Boise is a friendly, welcoming, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Boise travel costs.

Destin and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Boise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Destin than Boise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Destin is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Boise is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Destin is more touristy than Boise and is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Also, Destin is famous for Baytowne Wharf. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Destin different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Destin or Boise?

Boise is very good for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Boise is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Destin is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Destin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Boise is very good for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Resorts?

Destin is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

Destin is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Boise is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Beaches?

Destin is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Boise is not a beach destination.

Destin is considered a top beach destination. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Boise is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Boise?

Both Destin and Boise are notable shopping destinations.

Destin is a great destination for shopping. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boise. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Destin or Boise More Beautiful?

Destin is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Destin offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its powdery sand and the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful beach destination.

Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Families?

Destin is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Destin. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Couples?

Destin is a popular place for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Destin is a good beach town for couples to visit. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Destin or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boise is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Boise a more walkable city?

Boise is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Destin?

How long in Destin or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Destin or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Destin than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boise than Destin 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 Boise.

One day in Destin or Boise?

In Destin, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Boise. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Destin or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Destin. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Boise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Destin or Boise?

Destin is a fun place to experience. In Destin, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boise. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Destin or Boise?

In Destin, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this peaceful destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Boise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin and Boise, 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.