A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pocono Mountains vs. Hood River for Skiing, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pocono Mountains and Hood River can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Pocono Mountains

Pocono Mountains is a beautiful, magnificent, and relaxing region. Pocono Mountains is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Pocono Mountains travel costs.

Hood River

Hood River is a charming, agricultural, and quaint town. The beauty of Hood River is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and food. See Hood River travel costs.

Pocono Mountains and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Both Hood River and Pocono Mountains have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Pocono Mountains is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, and resorts, while Hood River is more popular for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Pocono Mountains is well known for its hiking trails, boating and fishing, and small towns. Hood River is well known for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains.

How is Pocono Mountains different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Pocono Mountains is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for winter skiing.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Pocono Mountains. There are a number of ski resorts in the area that offer family-friendly skiing or more advanced options. Some of the most popular ski areas are Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and Jack Frost Mountain.

Head to Hood River for some great skiing and other winter activities. During the winter months, Hood River makes a nice base for nearby skiing. Timberline and Cooper Spur and both less than an hour away and offer great skiing opportunities.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Pocono Mountains is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Hood River is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Pocono Mountains offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Visiting a local museum is a great way to learn about the area's history and Native American population. For a glimpse back in time, you can visit the Asa Packer Mansion, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, or Columns Museum. The Old Jail Museum is a fascinating place to visit and even offers ghost tours. The Pocono Indian Museum and Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm are both worth a visit as well.

Hood River offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of interesting museums in town such as the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automoblie Museum, the History Museum, and 301 Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Pocono Mountains or Hood River? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hood River is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hood River. Head to the downtown or waterfront areas for the best selection of restaurants. Most restaurants pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting local farms. Dishes use fresh and healthy ingredients that make simple but high quality meals.

Pocono Mountains is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Family-friendly restaurants are common. Many serve up casual American cuisine like burgers or pasta. There are also more upscale restaurants, some with impressive views, that will elevate your culinary experience. For a local experience, find a restaurant with a seasonal menu that makes the most of the local ingredients.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Hood River is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Pocono Mountains is a mediocre region for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hood River. There are breweries, wineries, and local bars in the area that offer a laid back place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Pocono Mountains. There are some resorts with casinos and bars as well as local breweries and bars. You'll also find a theater or two in the area.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Resorts?

Pocono Mountains is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Hood River is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Pocono Mountains makes a nice vacation spot. Resorts range from family-friendly to romantic. Many have indoor pools or even water parks. Some also have spas, restaurants, and plenty of amenities.

Hood River is not a resort destination.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Hiking?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

Pocono Mountains is a popular spot for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails that take you through forests or to spectacular waterfalls. Trails range from easy to challenging and each offers a great way to escape into nature. Some of the more popular trails are found in Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the area.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hood River. There's a diversity of landscapes in the area that include waterfalls, agriculture, vineyards, and high-reaching mountain peaks. The best way to experience these is through the many hiking trails. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop off at the trails that lead to the waterfalls, or head south of town to explore the vineyards on foot, and to the north where you'll find mountain peaks.

Is the Shopping Better in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River are notable shopping destinations.

Pocono Mountains offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the towns for some the best local shopping. The downtown areas in each of the major towns - Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Milford, and Honesdale - have local vendors, antique shops, and the occasional flea market or farmer's market.

Hood River has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Local shops sell local produce, artisan crafts, and wine. There are boutiques and independent vendors that are fun to visit and many visitors enjoy spending an afternoon shopping.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River More Beautiful?

Hood River is notable for its scenery and beauty. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Hood River is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. There's a beautiful natural environment with wonderful hikes and local farms and wineries.

Pocono Mountains offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The mountains, valleys, lakes, and streams offer impressive beauty and a peaceful setting.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Families?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River are excellent to visit with kids.

Pocono Mountains is a very kid-friendly region. There's horseback riding in the warmer seasons and kid-friendly skiing in the winter. The kids will also enjoy the hiking, ziplining, and indoor waterparks in the area. Animal farms and petting zoos are also popular, particularly with the younger kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hood River. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. There's swimming, tubing, hiking, and even windsurfing. Make sure you check out the Waterfront Park and Powerdale Substation.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Couples?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Pocono Mountains is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic resorts, cozy cabins, and luxurious spas all make this a wonderful couples destination. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the hiking and adventure sports in the area, while those looking for a more relaxed experience will appreciate the dining and cultural activities.

Hood River makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the scenic natural setting and charming hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. There are romantic hikes, local wineries, and many great restaurants that you can try.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Pocono Mountains is a great region to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of campgrounds, cabins, and hiking opportunities that will let backpackers enjoy a bit of nature.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hood River. There are a couple of hostels and some nice campgrounds in the area as well as many great hikes and a laid back atmosphere that backpackers appreciate.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Pocono Mountains and Hood River offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Pocono Mountains. There are some bus services that run between a few towns, but they're not an efficient way to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hood River. There are buses in the area but you really need your own transportation to see the region efficiently.

Is Pocono Mountains or Hood River a more walkable city?

Pocono Mountains and Hood River both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Pocono Mountains is generally not very walkable. While there are plenty of hiking trails and some walkable towns, you really need a car to explore the area.

Hood River is generally not a very walkable region. While there are parts of the town that are walkable, if you don't have a car you'll miss out on the surrounding natural landscapes and most of the hiking opportunities.

For even more information, also check out Is Pocono Mountains Worth Visiting? and Is Hood River Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Pocono Mountains?

How long in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

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

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

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

One day in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

With museums and skiing around the magnificent region of Pocono Mountains, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Hood River. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

With skiing and food around the destination of Pocono Mountains, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming town of Hood River. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Pocono Mountains, a popular region, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this region. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Hood River is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Pocono Mountains is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this region makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this region has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hood River is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

Hood River has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pocono Mountains. When comparing the sizes of Pocono Mountains and Hood River, 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 Pocono Mountains or Hood River?

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 Pocono Mountains or Hood River in the Summer?

Both Hood River and Pocono Mountains during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pocono Mountains for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hood River in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Pocono Mountains is a little warmer than Hood River in the summer. The daily temperature in Pocono Mountains averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pocono Mountains. In the summer, Pocono Mountains often gets less sunshine than Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. Pocono Mountains usually gets more rain in July than Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pocono Mountains and Hood River. Many visitors come to Pocono Mountains in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hood River for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Pocono Mountains is around the same temperature as Hood River. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pocono Mountains in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Hood River averages at about 55°F (13°C).

Pocono Mountains usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during autumn. Pocono Mountains gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Pocono Mountains usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Hood River in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pocono Mountains as well as Hood River. Most visitors come to Pocono Mountains for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Hood River because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hood River can be very cold. Pocono Mountains can be very cold during winter. In January, Pocono Mountains is generally much colder than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Pocono Mountains average around 28°F (-2°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Pocono Mountains often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hood River. Pocono Mountains usually gets less rain in January than Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Pocono Mountains are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Pocono Mountains is around the same temperature as Hood River in the spring. The daily temperature in Pocono Mountains averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Hood River. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. Pocono Mountains usually receives less sunshine than Hood River during spring. Pocono Mountains gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pocono Mountains usually receives more rain than Hood River. Pocono Mountains gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hood River and Pocono Mountains