A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Providence vs. Vancouver for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Providence or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver. 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.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a diverse, friendly, and outdoorsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vancouver travel costs.

Providence and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Vancouver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vancouver than Providence. Vancouver is bigger than Providence, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vancouver is more touristy than Providence and is known for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. Also, Vancouver is famous for Stanley Park. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Vancouver has many famous sights for visitors. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Providence and Vancouver can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Vancouver makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Providence or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver has something for everybody. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

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 Providence or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

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

Vancouver is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Vancouver?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Vancouver specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Providence or Vancouver More Beautiful?

Vancouver is a great city for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Providence or Vancouver Better for Families?

Vancouver is a great city 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 Vancouver. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

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 Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Vancouver is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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 Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Vancouver. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around 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 Vancouver Better for Students?

For students, both Providence and Vancouver are excellent places to visit.

Many students visit Providence. 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.

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Vancouver can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

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

Is Providence or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Vancouver is a very easy city to get around on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Providence?

How long in Providence or Vancouver?

In either Providence or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Providence because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Providence, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

One day in Providence or Vancouver?

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.

When visiting Vancouver, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Vancouver?

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.

When visiting Vancouver, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

Five days in Providence or Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active 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.

Vancouver, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Providence or Vancouver?

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.

Vancouver 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Providence or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Providence usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Providence during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Providence is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Providence. In the autumn, Providence often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Providence usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. Providence is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Providence usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Providence usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Providence as well as Vancouver. Additionally, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In the spring, Providence often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Providence usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Providence