A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Lancaster vs. Ketchikan for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lancaster or Ketchikan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lancaster or Ketchikan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. Lancaster is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Lancaster travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Lancaster and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Lancaster, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food, hiking, and small town charm, while Lancaster is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. Ketchikan is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Lancaster different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Lancaster is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Lancaster specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

Is the Food Better in Lancaster or Ketchikan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Ketchikan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lancaster makes for a great culinary experience. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find respectable options in both Lancaster and Ketchikan.

Lancaster doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Most people don't head to Ketchikan specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Ketchikan draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Lancaster is notable for shopping. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lancaster is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of excellent scenery and beauty in both Lancaster and Ketchikan.

With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. The countryside is beautiful, with preserved farmland, covered bridges, and beautiful gardens.

Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Lancaster and Ketchikan are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lancaster. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Ketchikan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Lancaster and Ketchikan are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

Ketchikan is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lancaster is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

Lancaster is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by backpackers, the region offers a unique cultural experience.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lancaster and Ketchikan both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Public transit is generally limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Lancaster or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Ketchikan is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

Ketchikan is a very walkable destination. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Lancaster Worth Visiting? and Is Ketchikan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Lancaster?

How long in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan than Lancaster 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 Ketchikan.

One day in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Lancaster. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Ketchikan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ketchikan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and food around the scenic destination of Lancaster. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and food around the local destination of Ketchikan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque town of Lancaster. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint town of Ketchikan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Lancaster is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Ketchikan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lancaster or Ketchikan?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Lancaster and Ketchikan, 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 Lancaster or Ketchikan?

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 Lancaster or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Lancaster during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lancaster is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lancaster in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lancaster usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Lancaster gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lancaster and Ketchikan. The autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In October, Lancaster is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Lancaster average around 56°F (13°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lancaster usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Lancaster gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lancaster or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lancaster as well as Ketchikan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ketchikan. It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. Lancaster is much colder than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Lancaster averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Lancaster usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Lancaster gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Lancaster are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lancaster is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lancaster in April average around 53°F (12°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Lancaster usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Lancaster gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Lancaster