A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Providence vs. Hope for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Providence or Hope?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Providence and Hope. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Providence travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Providence and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Providence or Hope?

Both Hope and Providence have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Providence is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Hope is more popular for its hiking. Hope is more touristy than Providence and is known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Providence or Hope?

Providence
Hope

Providence is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


Is the Food Better in Providence or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence
Hope

Providence is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Providence. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Providence
Hope

Providence is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Providence has a few options to choose from. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Hiking?

Providence
Hope

Hope is a great town for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hope for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Providence is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Hope?

Providence
Hope

Providence is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Families?

Providence
Hope

Hope is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hope. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Couples?

Providence
Hope

Hope is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Hope is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.


Is Providence or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Providence
Hope

Hope is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Students?

Providence
Hope

Providence is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Hope is not popular with students.

Providence is very popular with students. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Hope is not popular with students.

Is Providence or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Providence
Hope

Providence is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.


Is Providence or Hope a more walkable city?

Providence
Hope

Providence is a great city for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Providence Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Providence?

How long in Providence or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Providence and Hope. In our opinion, Providence has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Providence than Hope. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Providence than Hope 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 Providence.


  • How many days in Providence or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Providence 2-3 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Providence or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Providence. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With around the small town of Hope, 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.

A weekend in Providence or Hope?

Providence is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With around the destination of Hope, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.


Five days in Providence or Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Providence. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Providence or Hope?

The active city of Providence offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Providence?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Providence Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Providence $245
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Providence is $245, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Providence and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Providence $114
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Providence $228
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Providence and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Providence or Hope? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Providence


Hotels in Hope


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Providence Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Providence $46
    Hope -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence

Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $133
  • Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $125
  • T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
  • Providence to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
  • Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $40
  • T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $40
  • Private Airport Transfer TO/FROM Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Providence or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Providence change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Providence $82
    Hope $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence

For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Downcity Providence Food Tour: $99
  • Federal Hill Dinner Stroll A Guided Italian Culinary Experience: $150
  • Federal Hill Dinner Stroll with Italian Dinner: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Providence $26
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Providence

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.

  • Providence Downtown and Brown Self Guided App GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal: $46
  • Creative Capital: Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $40
  • Dark Tales: Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $35
  • Dark Tales: The Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $30
  • Discover Providence Guided Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Haunted Boat Tours: $54
  • Haunted Boat Tours in Providence: $55
  • Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
  • Historic Providence Boat Tours: $45
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Providence RI: $15
  • Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Providence $13
    Hope $10


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

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


Which is Bigger, Providence or Hope?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Hope, 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 Providence or Hope?

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 Providence or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Providence is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Providence usually receives more rain than Hope. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Providence 73°F (23°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Providence or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Providence during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Providence in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Providence is generally a little warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Providence usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Providence 53°F (12°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Providence or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Hope. Most visitors come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hope because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hope can be very cold. Providence can be very cold during winter. Providence is much colder than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Providence usually receives less rain than Hope. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Providence 28°F (-2°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Providence or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Providence as well as Hope.

In the spring, Providence is around the same temperature as Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Providence usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Providence 48°F (9°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Providence

Providence Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)