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

Should you visit Tampa or Hope?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Hope? 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 low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Hope

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

Tampa and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tampa than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tampa is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Hope is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping. Hope is more touristy than Tampa and is known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Tampa is famous for Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hope is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Hope specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tampa is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

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 Tampa or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Both Tampa and Hope have respectable vibes after the sun sets.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Tampa. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Hope is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Tampa or Hope Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Tampa. 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.

Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Hope Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a great city for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. 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.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Hope?

Hope is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Hope has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Hope Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Hope.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. 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.

Hope is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Tampa or Hope Better for Couples?

Hope is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Hope makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

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 Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hope is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Neither Tampa or Hope offer decent public transit.

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

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

Is Tampa or Hope a more walkable city?

Tampa and Hope are respectable 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.

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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Hope?

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Hope, many people enjoy the that this small destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or Hope?

Tampa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Hope?

You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Hope. 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.

A week in Tampa or Hope?

The low-key city of Tampa offers food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

You'll find around the friendly destination of Hope. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Hope, we can see that Tampa 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 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 Hope.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Hope?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or Hope in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Hope. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tampa is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Hope. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampa or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Hope. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Tampa usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Tampa is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In January, Tampa usually receives less rain than Hope. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampa or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Tampa