Which place is cheaper, Glacier National Park or Minneapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Glacier National Park, 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.
Minneapolis is a dynamic, innovative, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Minneapolis travel costs.
Glacier National Park is a breathtaking, gorgeous, and stunning park. Glacier National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Glacier National Park travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis. Although Minneapolis and Glacier National Park are popular destinations, Minneapolis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Minneapolis is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Glacier National Park attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Glacier National Park is more touristy than Minneapolis and is popular for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes. Minneapolis is famous for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also well known for Mall of America.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Glacier National Park and Minneapolis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Minneapolis is notable for its sights and museums. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its museums and history.
Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.
If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Glacier National Park. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.
Minneapolis is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its restaurants.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Minneapolis makes for a great culinary experience. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Glacier National Park. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.
Minneapolis is notable for nightlife. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for nightlife and partying.
Minneapolis has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.
Glacier National Park doesn't offer many options. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.
Glacier National Park is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Minneapolis is not a resort destination.
With a selection of resorts, Glacier National Park makes a nice vacation spot. There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.
Minneapolis is not a resort destination.
Glacier National Park is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Glacier National Park. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.
Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.
Minneapolis is very popular for shopping. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its shopping opportunities.
Minneapolis is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.
If you're looking to go shopping, Glacier National Park has some nice offerings. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.
Glacier National Park is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.
Glacier National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is one of the most stunning national parks in the United States with its many pristine lakes, striking mountain peaks, and breathtaking views.
Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.
Minneapolis is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Minneapolis is a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Glacier National Park is a family-friendly city. The landscapes are spectacular, but the crowds can be intense, which means it can be hard to find places to pull over and park during the peak seasons. Keep this in mind when you're traveling with kids because you may end up spending more time in the car than you'd expected.
Glacier National Park is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Glacier National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Drive along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun-Road and take in the truly breathtaking scenery. Many people consider this to be a top destination for a honeymoon and couples will appreciate the impressive hikes, dramatic waterfalls, and adventure-filled activities.
Minneapolis is a good city for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.
Glacier National Park is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Glacier National Park is extremely popular for backpackers. The backcountry is truly pristine, and obtaining a Wilderness Permit and getting off-the-beaten-path will help you escape some of the crowds that the park is known for.
Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.
Minneapolis is notable for students. However, Glacier National Park is not popular with students.
Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.
Glacier National Park is not popular with students.
Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for times when you don't have a car.
Minneapolis has a few public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.
Public transit is mostly limited in Glacier National Park. There's a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road that's available on a first-come, first-served basis, but expect crowds. The road can get quite congested during peak times. There are also tours that take you along the road so you can enjoy the scenery without having to focus on driving.
Minneapolis is a popular place for its walkability. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its high level of walkability.
Minneapolis is somewhat walkable. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.
Glacier National Park is not a very walkable city. You'll need a car to get almost anywhere in the park.
For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Glacier National Park Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Minneapolis and Glacier National Park. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Minneapolis than in Glacier National Park. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Minneapolis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glacier National Park.
Families should spend more time in Minneapolis than Glacier National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Minneapolis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Glacier National Park 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 Minneapolis.
In Minneapolis, you'll find shopping and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Visitors enjoy the when visiting the stunning park of Glacier National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.
Visitors enjoy the when visiting the breathtaking destination of Glacier National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This park offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Minneapolis is a fun place to experience. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
The stunning park of Glacier National Park offers . 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
You'll find food and shopping around the diverse destination of Minneapolis. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Many people enjoy the when visiting Glacier National Park. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Minneapolis is $235, while the average daily cost in Glacier National Park is $148. 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 Minneapolis and Glacier National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Minneapolis or Glacier National Park? 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.
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.
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Glacier National Park and Minneapolis 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.
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Glacier National Park are as follows:
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minneapolis and Glacier National Park, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. And not only is Glacier National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Glacier National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Glacier National Park 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Glacier National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Glacier National Park Expensive?.