A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Denali National Park for Backpackers, Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Durham or Denali National Park?

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 Denali National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a sports oriented, diverse, and student-filled city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is a vast, rugged, and spectacular park. You'll find world class beauty in Denali National Park as well. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Denali National Park travel costs.

Durham and Denali National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Denali National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durham. Although Durham and Denali National Park are both popular with visitors, Durham has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durham is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Denali National Park is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Denali National Park is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife. Durham is popular for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. It is also home to the Duke University Chapel.

How is Durham different from Denali National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Denali National Park?

Durham is a great city for its historical sights. However, Denali National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Denali National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Denali National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Durham is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Durham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Nightlife?

Durham is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.

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.

People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Resorts?

Denali National Park is very good for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Denali National Park has a few great resort options. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Hiking?

Denali National Park is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Denali National Park. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Denali National Park?

Durham is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.

Is Durham or Denali National Park More Beautiful?

Denali National Park is an amazing park to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Denali National Park as well. Home to the highest peak in North America, the park is famous for its dramatic beauty and rugged landscapes.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Denali National Park.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Denali National Park is a family-friendly city. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Couples?

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

Denali National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.

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 Denali National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Denali National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Denali National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Students?

Durham is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Denali National Park is not popular with students.

Durham is very popular with students. 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.

Denali National Park is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Denali National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Denali National Park offer decent public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.

Is Durham or Denali National Park a more walkable city?

Durham is adequate for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

Denali National Park is not a walkable city. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denali National Park or Durham?

How long in Durham or Denali National Park?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Denali National Park 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 Durham.

One day in Durham or Denali National Park?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Durham has to offer.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Denali National Park. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Denali National Park?

Durham is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Denali National Park 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 Durham or Denali National Park?

Many people visit Durham for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Durham. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denali National Park. 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 Durham or Denali National Park?

The diverse destination of Durham offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the spectacular destination of Denali National Park. This park 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 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 Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Durham or Denali National Park?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Durham or Denali National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Denali National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Denali National Park this time of year.

In July, Durham is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Denali National Park. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Denali National Park in the Autumn?

Both Denali National Park and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. Durham is much warmer than Denali National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Denali National Park in the Winter?

Both Denali National Park and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Denali National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In the winter, Durham is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 11°F (-12°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Denali National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Denali National Park. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Denali National Park can be very cold during spring. In April, Durham is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Durham