A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pensacola vs. Colorado Springs for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

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 Pensacola and Colorado Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a fun-filled, active, and entertaining beach town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Pensacola travel costs.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a welcoming, friendly, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Colorado Springs travel costs.

Pensacola and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pensacola than Colorado Springs. While Colorado Springs is larger than Pensacola, Pensacola has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pensacola is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Colorado Springs attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pensacola is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. It is also well known for Gulf Islands National Seashore. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Pensacola different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a moderate mountain town for snow skiing. However, Pensacola is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Pensacola is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Pensacola and Colorado Springs.

Pensacola offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Colorado Springs. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Is the Food Better in Pensacola or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pensacola is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pensacola makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Pensacola and Colorado Springs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Colorado Springs. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Resorts?

Pensacola is a great destination for its resorts. However, Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Pensacola. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Beaches?

Pensacola is terrific for its beaches. However, Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Pensacola is a very popular vacation destination. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for its hiking trails.

Many people visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Pensacola. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Pensacola is very good for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Pensacola is a great destination for shopping. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs More Beautiful?

Colorado Springs is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pensacola is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Pensacola is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Pensacola or Colorado Springs.

Pensacola is a very kid-friendly beach town. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Colorado Springs. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Pensacola is a great destination for romance. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Pensacola frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

Colorado Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is very good for backpackers. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Colorado Springs is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Pensacola is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few budget-friendly places to stay, particularly away from the beach.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is very good for students. However, Pensacola is not popular with students.

Colorado Springs is a good mountain town to visit for students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Pensacola is not popular with students.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Pensacola or Colorado Springs offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Pensacola or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Pensacola and Colorado Springs both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Pensacola is generally not very walkable. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable beach town. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Pensacola Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pensacola and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pensacola than in Colorado Springs. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pensacola, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Pensacola 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun-filled destination of Pensacola. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find food and museums around the mountain town of Colorado Springs. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the fun-filled beach town of Pensacola. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this mountain town has to offer. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Pensacola is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Pensacola is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the beaches. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Colorado Springs is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Colorado Springs, we can see that Pensacola is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola and Colorado Springs, 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 Pensacola or Colorado Springs?

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 Pensacola or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and Colorado Springs. The summer months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

In July, Pensacola is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 82°F (28°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pensacola or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as Colorado Springs. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Pensacola is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pensacola usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.

Should I visit Pensacola or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

Both Colorado Springs and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the winter for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Colorado Springs can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Pensacola is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pensacola in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).

It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pensacola or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Pensacola during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Pensacola in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Pensacola is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 67°F (20°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Pensacola usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Pensacola is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Pensacola