A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Myrtle Beach vs. Calgary for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Myrtle Beach and Calgary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a busy, jam-packed, and high energy beach 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 and beaches. See Myrtle Beach travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a authentic, western, and local city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Calgary travel costs.

Myrtle Beach and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Myrtle Beach and Calgary are both popular with visitors, Myrtle Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Myrtle Beach is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Calgary is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Calgary and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also home to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Calgary is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Myrtle Beach different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

Calgary is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Myrtle Beach or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Myrtle Beach and Calgary both to be decent destinations.

Myrtle Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Calgary offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Myrtle Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Myrtle Beach offers a few options. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Myrtle Beach is well known for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Myrtle Beach attract visitors from all over. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

Calgary is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Calgary to go shopping. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Families?

Calgary is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calgary. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Couples?

Both Myrtle Beach and Calgary are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Myrtle Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Calgary is a nice destination for couples. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is very good for backpackers. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Calgary is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Myrtle Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The nightlife scene brings the young crowd, but this isn't exactly a backpacker destination.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is well known for students. However, Calgary is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Myrtle Beach. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Calgary is not popular with students.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calgary is very good for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Calgary, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Myrtle Beach or Calgary a more walkable city?

Myrtle Beach and Calgary both are decent when exploring on foot.

Myrtle Beach is generally not very walkable. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable beach city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Myrtle Beach?

How long in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Myrtle Beach or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Myrtle Beach than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Myrtle Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Myrtle Beach 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 Calgary.

One day in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

In Myrtle Beach, you'll find nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This beach city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Calgary, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

In Myrtle Beach, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

Myrtle Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Myrtle Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the western destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Myrtle Beach. In Myrtle Beach, you'll find nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Calgary is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Myrtle Beach or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Myrtle Beach and Calgary, 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.