A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Minneapolis vs. Kamloops for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Minneapolis or Kamloops?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Kamloops, 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

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a nature-filled, laid-back, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Kamloops travel costs.

Minneapolis and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

You'll generally find more things to do in Minneapolis than Kamloops. Minneapolis is bigger than Kamloops, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Minneapolis is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kamloops is more popular for its skiing and hiking. Minneapolis is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America. Kamloops is well known for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Minneapolis different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Minneapolis is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Kamloops. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Minneapolis is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Minneapolis. 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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Minneapolis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kamloops area. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Minneapolis has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops has hiking trails worth exploring. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Minneapolis draws large crowds to its 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.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Families?

Minneapolis and Kamloops are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Minneapolis is very family-friendly. 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.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Minneapolis and Kamloops are both notable to visit as a couple.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Kamloops is a good city for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Students?

Minneapolis is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kamloops is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Minneapolis. 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.

Kamloops is not popular with students.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its public transit.

Minneapolis has some 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 generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Minneapolis or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Minneapolis or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Minneapolis than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Minneapolis, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

Families should spend more time in Minneapolis than Kamloops. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Kamloops 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.

One day in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

The city of Minneapolis 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.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the laid-back city of Kamloops. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back destination of Kamloops. This city 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.

Five days in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

The laid-back city of Kamloops offers food and shopping. 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.

A week in Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Kamloops. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minneapolis and Kamloops, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Kamloops.

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

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Kamloops, 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 Minneapolis or Kamloops?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Kamloops in the Summer?

Both Kamloops and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Kamloops in the summer. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 76°F (25°C) in July, and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Minneapolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kamloops in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Kamloops. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minneapolis in October average around 52°F (11°C), and Kamloops averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in October than Kamloops. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Kamloops in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Kamloops. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kamloops can be very cold during winter. Minneapolis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Minneapolis is generally much colder than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 15°F (-10°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Minneapolis usually receives less rain than Kamloops. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Kamloops. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city during these months.

Minneapolis is cooler than Kamloops in the spring. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in April than Kamloops. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Minneapolis