A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Detroit vs. Flagstaff for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Detroit or Flagstaff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Flagstaff, 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.

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Detroit travel costs.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a active, adventurous , and picturesque city. Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Detroit and Flagstaff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Flagstaff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Detroit than Flagstaff, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Detroit is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Flagstaff is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Flagstaff is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also home to the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Detroit different from Flagstaff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Detroit or Flagstaff?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Detroit and Flagstaff.

Detroit offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Detroit or Flagstaff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flagstaff is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Flagstaff has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Detroit is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Flagstaff has a few options to choose from. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Music?

Detroit is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Flagstaff is not a live music destination.

In Detroit you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Flagstaff is not a live music destination.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Flagstaff draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Flagstaff?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Detroit and Flagstaff.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Flagstaff to go shopping. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff More Beautiful?

Flagstaff is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit, too. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Families?

Flagstaff is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Flagstaff is very family-friendly. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Couples?

Flagstaff is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Flagstaff makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Flagstaff. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Detroit and Flagstaff.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Public transit is generally limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Detroit or Flagstaff a more walkable city?

Detroit and Flagstaff are good when it comes to walkability.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Flagstaff is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flagstaff or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Flagstaff?

It's fun to spend time in either Detroit or Flagstaff. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Flagstaff due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Detroit, and 2-4 days is enough time in Flagstaff.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flagstaff than Detroit 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 Flagstaff.

One day in Detroit or Flagstaff?

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

In Flagstaff, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Detroit or Flagstaff?

You'll find live music and food around the overlooked destination of Detroit. 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.

In Flagstaff, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flagstaff has to offer.

Five days in Detroit or Flagstaff?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under-rated city of Detroit. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Flagstaff is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Detroit or Flagstaff?

Detroit 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flagstaff. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Flagstaff?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flagstaff. When comparing the sizes of Detroit and Flagstaff, 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.