A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Alexandria or New York City?

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 Alexandria and New York City. 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.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New York City

New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Alexandria and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Alexandria. New York City is bigger than Alexandria, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Alexandria is more popular for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. New York City is more touristy than Alexandria and is known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere.

How is Alexandria different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or New York City?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, New York City has many famous sights for visitors. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Alexandria is not a theatre destination.

New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Alexandria is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in New York City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Alexandria is not a live music destination.

New York City has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Alexandria is not a live music destination.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Alexandria can be explored in its historical center. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or New York City?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to New York City specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, New York City is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Alexandria does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Alexandria does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Families?

New York City is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in New York City. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Students?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

New York City is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is Alexandria or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria and New York City both offer terrific public transit to get you around.

Visitors in Alexandria can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

New York City has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Alexandria or New York City a more walkable city?

Alexandria and New York City are terrific when it comes to walkability.

Alexandria is a very easy city to get around on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or New York City?

Both Alexandria and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Alexandria. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Alexandria 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 New York City.

One day in Alexandria or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Alexandria or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

New York City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Alexandria. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and New York City, 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 Alexandria or New York City?

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 Alexandria or New York City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and New York City. The summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the summer, Alexandria is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 79°F (26°C), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than New York City. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alexandria or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as New York City. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alexandria is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 60°F (15°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as New York City. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. Alexandria is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than New York City. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alexandria or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Alexandria is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 56°F (14°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New York City and Alexandria