A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America North Conway vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit North Conway or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Should I visit North Conway or Columbia River Gorge? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: North Conway or Columbia River Gorge?

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is North Conway Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, North Conway or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Columbia River Gorge, 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 North Conway or Columbia River Gorge?

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 North Conway or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, North Conway is generally around the same temperature as Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 69°F (20°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in North Conway. In the summer, North Conway often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit North Conway or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Columbia River Gorge. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

North Conway is cooler than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. North Conway gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, North Conway usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit North Conway or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. North Conway can be very cold during winter. In the winter, North Conway is much colder than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in North Conway in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. North Conway usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit North Conway or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In April, North Conway is generally much colder than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 43°F (6°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. North Conway usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. North Conway gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, North Conway usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and North Conway