A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kennebunkport vs. Rapid City for Attractions, Families, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

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

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Rapid City? 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.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a quaint, character-filled, and charming town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Kennebunkport is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kennebunkport travel costs.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a fascinating, activity-filled, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking. See Rapid City travel costs.

Kennebunkport and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Both Rapid City and Kennebunkport have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Kennebunkport is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Rapid City attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and hiking. Kennebunkport is famous for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Rapid City is famous for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks.

How is Kennebunkport different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Rapid City is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Rapid City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

Kennebunkport offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kennebunkport or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kennebunkport has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rapid City area. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Kennebunkport is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Kennebunkport. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is great for hiking. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Rapid City for the hiking trails. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kennebunkport. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Is the Shopping Better in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Kennebunkport is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Kennebunkport is well-known for its shopping. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Many visitors go to Rapid City to go shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City More Beautiful?

Kennebunkport is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Rapid City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Kennebunkport is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's scenic coastline and dramatic lighthouses make this a beautiful area.

Rapid City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Families?

Rapid City is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Rapid City is a very family-friendly destination. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Kennebunkport is a very kid-friendly town. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kennebunkport and Rapid City make for a great place to visit.

Kennebunkport is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Rapid City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.

Rapid City is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kennebunkport and Rapid City both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Is Kennebunkport or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Kennebunkport?

How long in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Kennebunkport or Rapid City. In our opinion, Kennebunkport has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kennebunkport than Rapid City. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Kennebunkport 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 Rapid City.

One day in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Kennebunkport might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Rapid City. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Even though Kennebunkport is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rapid City. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Kennebunkport, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fascinating destination of Rapid City. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Kennebunkport 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.

You'll find museums and food around the city of Rapid City. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kennebunkport or Rapid City?

Rapid City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Kennebunkport and Rapid City, 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.