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

Should you visit Juneau or Hood River?

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

Should I visit Juneau or Hood River? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Juneau

Juneau is a breathtaking, historic, and scenic city. Juneau is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Juneau travel costs.

Hood River

Hood River is a charming, agricultural, and quaint town. The beauty of Hood River is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Hood River travel costs.

Juneau and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Juneau or Hood River?

Both Hood River and Juneau have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Juneau is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Hood River is more popular for its skiing and nightlife. Juneau is well known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. Hood River is well known for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains.

How is Juneau different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Juneau
Hood River

Hood River is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Juneau is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Hood River is a great destination to visit. 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.

Juneau is not a skiing destination.


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

Juneau
Hood River

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

Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

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 Juneau or Hood River? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Juneau
Hood River

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Juneau and Hood River can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Juneau. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Hood River has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Juneau
Hood River

Hood River is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.


Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Hiking?

Juneau
Hood River

Juneau is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Juneau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Hood River. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Juneau or Hood River?

Juneau
Hood River

Juneau is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Juneau is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Many visitors go to Hood River to go shopping. 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 Juneau or Hood River More Beautiful?

Juneau
Hood River

Juneau is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Juneau is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

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


Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Families?

Juneau
Hood River

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Juneau or Hood River.

Juneau is a very kid-friendly city. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hood River. 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.

Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Couples?

Juneau
Hood River

Juneau is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Juneau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

Couples visit Hood River frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Juneau or Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau
Hood River

Both Juneau and Hood River are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Juneau is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hood River. 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.


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

Juneau
Hood River

Both Juneau and Hood River offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

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 Juneau or Hood River a more walkable city?

Juneau
Hood River

Juneau is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Hood River is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Juneau is a very walkable city. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

Hood River is generally not very walkable. 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 Juneau Worth Visiting? and Is Hood River Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Juneau?

How long in Juneau or Hood River?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Juneau and Hood River. In our opinion, Juneau has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Juneau than Hood River. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Juneau or Hood River? Ideal Length of Stay
    Juneau 2-3 
    Hood River 2-3

One day in Juneau or Hood River?

With museums and food around the scenic city of Juneau, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Juneau or Hood River?

With food and shopping around the destination of Juneau, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Juneau or Hood River?

Juneau, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Juneau or Hood River?

Juneau is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 charming 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Juneau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Juneau Prices
    USA Prices
    Hood River Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Juneau $196
    Hood River $174

The average daily cost (per person) in Juneau is $196, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $174. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Juneau and Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Juneau $88
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Juneau $176
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Juneau and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Juneau or Hood River? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Juneau


Hotels in Hood River


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Juneau Hotel Prices and Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Juneau $38
    Hood River $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Juneau or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River and Juneau change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Juneau $85
    Hood River $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Juneau $17
    Hood River $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Juneau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Juneau are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Admission to Alaska State Museum
    $5.00
  • Glacier Gardens
    $22

Tours and Activities in Juneau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Juneau are as follows:

  • 3 Hour Fishing Experience/Class in Juneau: $225
  • 3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska: $189
  • 4-Hour Wildlife and Coastal Tour in Juneau, Alaska: $220
  • Alaska Native Tour and Tram Combo: $145
  • Alpine Segway Wilderness Trail Adventure: $180
  • Alpine Zipline Adventure in Juneau, AK: $257
  • From Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks: $123
  • Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure: $99
  • Historic Gold Panning Adventure & Salmon Bake: $145
  • Historical Walking Tour of Abandoned Gold Rush Era City with AR: $99
  • Juneau City Tour: $52
  • Juneau Highlights and Mendenhall Glacier Tour: $129

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Columbia Gorge Kayak Tour: $100
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $179

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Juneau $16
    Hood River $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Juneau

Also in Juneau, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Walking Pub Crawl in Downtown Juneau: $115
  • Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!: $159
  • Craft Beer and Brewery Tour with Scenic Stops: $159


When comparing the travel costs between Juneau and Hood River, we can see that Juneau 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 Juneau Expensive? and Is Hood River Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Juneau or Hood River?

Juneau has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau or Hood River in the Summer?

Both Hood River and Juneau during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Juneau because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Juneau is much colder than Hood River in the summer. The daily temperature in Juneau averages around 56°F (13°C) in July, and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Juneau often gets less sunshine than Hood River. Juneau gets 179 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 Juneau. Juneau usually gets more rain in July than Hood River. Juneau gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Juneau 56°F (13°C) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Juneau or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Juneau and Hood River. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Juneau this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hood River for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Juneau is much colder than Hood River. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Juneau in October average around 42°F (6°C), and Hood River averages at about 55°F (13°C).

Juneau usually receives less sunshine than Hood River during autumn. Juneau gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Juneau usually receives more rain than Hood River. Juneau gets 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Juneau 42°F (6°C) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Juneau or Hood River in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Juneau as well as Hood River. Many travelers come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Hood River in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.


Fatal error: Uncaught DivisionByZeroError: Division by zero in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/weatherdataDAO.php:289 Stack trace: #0 /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php(3554): weatherdataDAO->hotterColder() #1 {main} thrown in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/weatherdataDAO.php on line 289