A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Providence for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Key West or Providence?

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

Should I visit Key West or Providence? 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.

Key West

Key West is a lively, quaint, and laid-back town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Key West travel costs.

Providence

Providence is a fascinating, active, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Providence travel costs.

Key West and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Providence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Key West. Although Key West and Providence are both popular with visitors, Key West has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Key West is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Providence is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Key West is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. It is also home to Duval Street. Providence is popular for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Key West different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key West or Providence?

Providence is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Providence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key West or Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Key West and Providence.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Key West. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, but the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Providence has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Key West is a great town for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Key West has something for everybody. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Resorts?

Key West is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Providence is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Key West to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Key West. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Beaches?

Key West is a great town for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Key West for it's beautiful beaches. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is Key West or Providence Better for its Old Town?

Key West is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Providence does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Providence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Providence?

Providence is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Providence offers some nice shopping areas. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Key West or Providence More Beautiful?

Key West is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. There are blue waters as far as the eye can see. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Families?

Key West is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Key West. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Couples?

Key West is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Key West is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Students?

Key West and Providence are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

Key West is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Providence is very popular with students. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Is Key West or Providence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Providence is a popular place for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Key West or Providence a more walkable city?

Providence is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Providence is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Key West is a somewhat walkable town. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Key West?

How long in Key West or Providence?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key West and Providence. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key West than in Providence. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 2-3 days is enough time in Providence.

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

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

One day in Key West or Providence?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the quirky town of Key West, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Providence offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Key West or Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Key West, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Providence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Providence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Key West or Providence?

Key West, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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.

A week in Key West or Providence?

Key West is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Providence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Key West or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West and Providence, 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 Key West or Providence?

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 Key West or Providence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Providence. Most visitors come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Key West is a little warmer than Providence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key West in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Providence averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Providence. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets more rain in July than Providence. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Key West because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

In October, Key West is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 80°F (27°C), and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Providence during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Providence. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Should I visit Key West or Providence in the Winter?

Both Providence and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. Key West is much warmer than Providence in the winter. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than Providence. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Providence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Providence. Many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Key West is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key West in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Providence averages at about 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Providence during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Providence. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Providence and Key West