A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Columbia for Backpackers, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Columbia?

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 Everglades National Park and Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. Everglades National Park is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbia travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Everglades National Park. Although Everglades National Park and Columbia are both popular with visitors, Everglades National Park has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Everglades National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Columbia is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Everglades National Park is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. It is also home to the Everglades Alligator Farm. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Everglades National Park different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Columbia is very good for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Everglades National Park and Columbia can be an enjoyable experience.

Everglades National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Columbia offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is very good for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Columbia has a few options to choose from. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Everglades National Park is a popular spot for hiking. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Columbia is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Columbia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Everglades National Park is a beautiful place to visit, too. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Columbia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Columbia.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Everglades National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Everglades National Park is a great national park to visit for backpackers. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia Better for Students?

Columbia is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

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

Columbia is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Columbia a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park is a moderate national park for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Columbia is not a very walkable national park. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Everglades National Park or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Everglades National Park than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Everglades National Park than Columbia 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 Everglades National Park.

One day in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

The national park of Everglades National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and museums around the suburban city of Columbia, there's plenty to do. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Everglades National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Everglades National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Columbia, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly city of Columbia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Columbia?

Everglades National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park offers something for everyone.

Columbia is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Columbia?

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 Everglades National Park or Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Everglades National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Everglades National Park is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the summer, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in July than Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Columbia in the Autumn?

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

Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during autumn. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Columbia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Columbia. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Everglades National Park in January average around 67°F (19°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the winter, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty.

In April, Everglades National Park is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 74°F (24°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during spring. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Columbia. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Everglades National Park