A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Beaver Creek for Families, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Durham or Beaver Creek?

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 Durham and Beaver Creek can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is a adventurous, charming, and active town. Other popular activities here include skiing, food, and hiking. See Beaver Creek travel costs.

Durham and Beaver Creek: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beaver Creek than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beaver Creek is better known for its skiing, theatre productions, food, resorts, and hiking, while Durham is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Beaver Creek is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its skiing and charming atmosphere Also, Beaver Creek is famous for Beaver Creek Golf Club. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Beaver Creek?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Skiing?

Beaver Creek is an amazing town to visit for snow skiing. However, Durham is not a skiing destination.

Beaver Creek is among the world's best ski destinations. Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a top ski destination with 26 lifts and 149 different trails. It climbs to an elevation of 11,440 feet and the village is filled with ski-in/ski-out accommodation. There's also an excellent ski school.

Durham is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Durham is a great city for its historical sights. However, Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Theater?

Beaver Creek is not a good place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Durham is not a theatre destination.

Beaver Creek has a few theater choices. There are a couple of art galleries around town.

Durham is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Beaver Creek? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaver Creek is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Beaver Creek is an experience not to be missed. There are many great dining options where you can enjoy a meal after working up an appetite on the slopes. The cuisine has many mountain classics as well as fine dining and more casual restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Beaver Creek is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Durham has a few options to choose from. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Most people don't head to Beaver Creek specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. You won't find a wild nightlife scene, but most of the activities center around the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Resorts?

Beaver Creek is very good for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Beaver Creek has a few great resort options. There are many resorts in the area including the Westin and the Hyatt.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Hiking?

Beaver Creek is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Beaver Creek is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with trails that take you through flowered meadows, along scenic ridgelines, and to the top of dramatic peaks. During the warmer months, hiking is a wonderful way to enjoy the area.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Both Durham and Beaver Creek are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Beaver Creek. The village has pedestrian streets that are lined with fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, sporting equipment stores, and art galleries.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Families?

Beaver Creek is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Beaver Creek is one of the most popular family destinations. This is one of the most kid-friendly ski resorts in the country. There's a ski and snowboard school where kids can enjoy private or group lessons as well as other fun activities for kids. There are also many family-friendly restaurants in the area.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Couples?

Beaver Creek is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Beaver Creek is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic resorts nearby as well as great adventure sports, skiing, snowboarding, and a beautiful setting.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Students?

Durham is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Beaver Creek is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Beaver Creek is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beaver Creek is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Beaver Creek has a few public transit options. There free transportation that's offered by Village Transportation.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Durham or Beaver Creek a more walkable city?

Beaver Creek is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Beaver Creek on foot. It's a quaint little village that is very walkable.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Beaver Creek Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaver Creek or Durham?

How long in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Both Durham and Beaver Creek have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beaver Creek than in Durham. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beaver Creek.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beaver Creek than Durham 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 Beaver Creek.

One day in Durham or Beaver Creek?

In Durham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this sports oriented city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Beaver Creek. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Durham is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Beaver Creek is a great place to explore. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Beaver Creek?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Durham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaver Creek. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Beaver Creek?

Durham is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Beaver Creek. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

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