A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Hood River for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Durham or Hood River?

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 Hood River 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 food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

Hood River

Hood River is a charming, agricultural, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, Hood River attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Hood River travel costs.

Durham and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Hood River?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hood River. Although Durham and Hood River are both popular with visitors, Hood River has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hood River is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Durham is known for its museums and attractions. Hood River is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains. It is also home to Multnomah Falls. Durham is popular for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Durham or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Hood River is very good for snow skiing. However, Durham is not a skiing destination.

Head to Hood River for some great skiing and other winter activities. During the winter months, Hood River makes a nice base for nearby skiing. Timberline and Cooper Spur and both less than an hour away and offer great skiing opportunities.

Durham is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Hood River?

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hood River is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Hood River offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of interesting museums in town such as the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automoblie Museum, the History Museum, and 301 Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Hood River? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hood River 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 Hood River is an experience not to be missed. Head to the downtown or waterfront areas for the best selection of restaurants. Most restaurants pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting local farms. Dishes use fresh and healthy ingredients that make simple but high quality meals.

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 Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Hood River are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hood River. There are breweries, wineries, and local bars in the area that offer a laid back place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.

Is Durham or Hood River Better for Hiking?

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

Hood River is a popular spot for hiking. There's a diversity of landscapes in the area that include waterfalls, agriculture, vineyards, and high-reaching mountain peaks. The best way to experience these is through the many hiking trails. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop off at the trails that lead to the waterfalls, or head south of town to explore the vineyards on foot, and to the north where you'll find mountain peaks.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Hood River?

Both Durham and Hood River are good 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 Hood River. Local shops sell local produce, artisan crafts, and wine. There are boutiques and independent vendors that are fun to visit and many visitors enjoy spending an afternoon shopping.

Is Durham or Hood River More Beautiful?

Hood River is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Hood River attracts visitors from all around. There's a beautiful natural environment with wonderful hikes and local farms and wineries.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Durham or Hood River Better for Families?

Hood River is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hood River is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. There's swimming, tubing, hiking, and even windsurfing. Make sure you check out the Waterfront Park and Powerdale Substation.

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 Hood River Better for Couples?

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

Hood River is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the scenic natural setting and charming hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. There are romantic hikes, local wineries, and many great restaurants that you can try.

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 Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hood River is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hood River is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and some nice campgrounds in the area as well as many great hikes and a laid back atmosphere that backpackers appreciate.

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 Hood River Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Hood River is not popular with students.

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Hood River is not popular with students.

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

Both Durham and Hood River 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 Hood River. There are buses in the area but you really need your own transportation to see the region efficiently.

Is Durham or Hood River a more walkable city?

Durham and Hood River both are decent when exploring on foot.

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

Hood River is generally not a very walkable city. While there are parts of the town that are walkable, if you don't have a car you'll miss out on the surrounding natural landscapes and most of the hiking opportunities.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Hood River Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Durham?

How long in Durham or Hood River?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Hood River. In our opinion, Hood River has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hood River than Durham. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hood River.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hood River 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 Hood River.

One day in Durham or Hood River?

With museums and nightlife around the student-filled city of Durham, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Hood River. 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 Hood River?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Durham, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Hood River 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 Hood River?

Durham, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hood River. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Hood River?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Hood River. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 comparing the travel costs between Durham and Hood River, we can see that Durham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Hood River?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Hood River, 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 Durham or Hood River?

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 Hood River in the Summer?

Both Hood River and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hood River because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Durham is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Hood River. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Hood River. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Hood River. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Durham is a little warmer than Hood River in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Hood River fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hood River. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Hood River in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Hood River. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hood River for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hood River. It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In the winter, Durham is around the same temperature as Hood River. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Hood River averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Durham often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hood River. Durham usually gets less rain in January than Hood River. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Hood River in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Durham is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Hood River. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Hood River. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hood River and Durham