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

Should you visit Providence or Reno?

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 Reno. 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 active, friendly, and fascinating city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Providence travel costs.

Reno

Reno is a energetic, growing, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Reno travel costs.

Providence and Reno: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Providence or Reno?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Reno. Although Providence and Reno are about the same size, Reno has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Reno is very popular for its nightlife, while Providence attracts visitors for its food. Reno is more touristy than Providence and is known for its casinos and nightlife scene. It is also well known for the National Automobile Museum. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Providence
Reno

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Reno 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.

Reno is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.


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

Providence
Reno

Providence is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Providence has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Reno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Providence or Reno Better for Nightlife?

Providence
Reno

Reno is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Reno has something for everybody. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Reno?

Providence
Reno

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

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

Reno is a great destination for shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.


Is Providence or Reno Better for Families?

Providence
Reno

Both Providence and Reno are nice family-friendly destinations.

Providence offers lots of family activities. 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.

Reno is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Providence or Reno Better for Couples?

Providence
Reno

Providence and Reno both nice destinations for a couple.

Providence is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Providence or Reno Better for Students?

Providence
Reno

Providence is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Reno is not popular with students.

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Reno is not popular with students.


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

Providence
Reno

Providence is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Reno is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Providence or Reno a more walkable city?

Providence
Reno

Providence is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Providence?

How long in Providence or Reno?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Providence than Reno. 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 Reno 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 Reno? Ideal Length of Stay
    Providence 2-3 
    Reno 1-3

One day in Providence or Reno?

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 museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Reno, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reno, one day is sufficent for most.


A weekend in Providence or Reno?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Reno, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Providence or Reno?

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

Reno, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Reno?

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.

Reno 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.


Which place is cheaper, Reno 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
    Reno Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Providence $245
    Reno $184

The average daily cost (per person) in Providence is $245, while the average daily cost in Reno is $184. 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 Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Providence $114
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Providence $228
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Providence and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Providence or Reno? 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 Reno


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 Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Providence $46
    Reno $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence

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

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Providence or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno 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
    Reno $94

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

Typical Food Prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Providence $26
    Reno $88

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 Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Reno Ghost Tour: Ruin, Revenge, & Reckoning: $24
  • Axe Throwing Experience (18+) at Grand Sierra Resort: $40
  • Axe and Knife Throwing Experience: $35
  • Bowlball and Pins & Arrows Experience: $30
  • Jungle Escape Room Adventure: $30
  • Rage Room Experience: $40
  • Splatter Paint Room Experience: $45
  • The Master Escape Room Experience: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Providence $13
    Reno $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Reno

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:

  • Original Brewery Tour: $94


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Providence and Reno, we can see that Providence is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.

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


Which is Bigger, Providence or Reno?

Reno has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Reno, 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.