A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Providence vs. Ketchikan for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Providence or Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan. 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Providence travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Providence and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Ketchikan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Providence, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Providence is more popular for its nightlife. Ketchikan is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Ketchikan and Providence.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Providence. 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.

Ketchikan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

Ketchikan is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Ketchikan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Providence or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Providence is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Providence or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Ketchikan is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Ketchikan?

If you're looking to go shopping, Providence and Ketchikan both offer plenty of notable spots.

Providence has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Ketchikan is a great destination for shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Providence or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

Ketchikan is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Providence or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

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 Ketchikan Better for Couples?

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

Ketchikan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

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 Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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 Ketchikan Better for Students?

Providence is notable for students. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not popular with students.

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

Providence is very good for its public transit. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Providence or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Providence and Ketchikan are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Providence?

How long in Providence or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Providence and Ketchikan. In our opinion, Ketchikan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ketchikan than Providence. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Providence, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ketchikan.

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

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

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

One day in Providence or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Providence. 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.

With museums and food around the local town of Ketchikan, 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ketchikan, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Providence or Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Providence. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Providence. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

Providence is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Ketchikan 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Providence and Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Providence Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Providence or Ketchikan?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

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 Providence or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Providence during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Providence is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Providence usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Ketchikan. Many visitors come to Providence in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Providence is generally a little warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Providence usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Providence or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Providence as well as Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. Providence can be very cold during winter. Providence is much colder than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Providence usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In the spring, Providence is a little warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Providence usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Providence