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

Should you visit Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Niagara Falls, 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a breathtaking, impressive, and iconic city. The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Minneapolis and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

You'll generally find more things to do in Minneapolis than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis is bigger than Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Minneapolis and is popular for the large volume of water that flows over it. Minneapolis is well known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America.

How is Minneapolis different from Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

Minneapolis is notable for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city 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.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

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

Minneapolis is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Minneapolis. 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.

Niagara Falls is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Niagara Falls. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

Minneapolis is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Minneapolis make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Niagara Falls is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

Minneapolis is known to be 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.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Niagara Falls is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Niagara Falls makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

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.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Niagara Falls is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

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.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls Better for Students?

Minneapolis is notable for students. However, Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Minneapolis and Niagara Falls.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Niagara Falls, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system through town.

Is Minneapolis or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Minneapolis and Niagara Falls are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Minneapolis and Niagara Falls. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Minneapolis than in Niagara Falls. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Minneapolis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Niagara Falls.

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

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

One day in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the innovative destination of Minneapolis. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the impressive city of Niagara Falls. 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.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Niagara Falls. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Niagara Falls?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse destination of Minneapolis. 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.

The impressive city of Niagara Falls offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

A week in Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Minneapolis. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Niagara Falls. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Niagara Falls?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

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 Minneapolis or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 76°F (25°C) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Niagara Falls. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In the summer, Minneapolis often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in July than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

Both Niagara Falls and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minneapolis in October average around 52°F (11°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during autumn. Minneapolis gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Minneapolis usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

Both Niagara Falls and Minneapolis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.

It's quite cold in Niagara Falls in the winter. The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. In January, Minneapolis is generally much colder than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 15°F (-10°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

In the winter, Minneapolis often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets less rain in January than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Niagara Falls. The activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the natural beauty.

Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during spring. Minneapolis gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Minneapolis usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Minneapolis