A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tampa vs. Calgary for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Calgary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a authentic, western, and local city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Calgary travel costs.

Tampa and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Calgary?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Tampa than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Tampa, Tampa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tampa is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Calgary is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Calgary is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also home to Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Calgary?

Calgary is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tampa is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tampa. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Calgary is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calgary. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Tampa is well known for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Tampa attract visitors from all over. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Calgary?

Calgary is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Families?

Tampa is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Couples?

Calgary is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Tampa or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Calgary a more walkable city?

Tampa and Calgary are decent when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

Calgary is generally not very walkable. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tampa or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tampa than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Tampa 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 Calgary.

One day in Tampa or Calgary?

In Tampa, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Calgary, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Calgary?

In Tampa, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tampa has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calgary. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Calgary?

Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calgary. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the authentic destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Calgary, 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.