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

Should you visit Tampa or Whistler?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Whistler? 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. It's also known for food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a charming, adventurous, and outdoorsy village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Whistler attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Whistler travel costs.

Tampa and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Whistler?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Whistler than Tampa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Whistler is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Tampa is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities. Whistler is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. Also, Whistler is famous for Cloudraker Skybridge. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Tampa is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Whistler should be on your list. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

Tampa is not a skiing destination.

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

Whistler 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 Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Whistler has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Nightlife?

Whistler is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Whistler has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

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 Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Whistler is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Whistler is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Whistler is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Whistler is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tampa. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Whistler is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Hiking?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

People visit Whistler specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Whistler?

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

Whistler has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Whistler More Beautiful?

Whistler is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Whistler attracts visitors from all around. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Families?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Whistler is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Tampa or Whistler Better for Couples?

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

Whistler makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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 Whistler Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Whistler 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 Whistler. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Whistler is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

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 Whistler a more walkable city?

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

Whistler is a very walkable destination. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Whistler or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Whistler?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Whistler?

The city of Tampa offers food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Whistler, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this adventurous destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This village 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 Whistler?

Tampa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tampa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Whistler. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Whistler?

Tampa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Whistler is a fun place to experience. In Whistler, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tampa or Whistler?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find nightlife and food around the outdoorsy destination of Whistler. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Whistler?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Tampa or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Whistler. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Whistler because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Tampa is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Whistler. The spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

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

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Whistler. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Tampa