A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Alexandria vs. Williamsburg for Old Town, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Alexandria or Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg. 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 charming, quaint, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a well-preserved, historic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Alexandria and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

Both Williamsburg and Alexandria have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Williamsburg attracts visitors for its food. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Alexandria different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Williamsburg and Alexandria.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Alexandria. 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.

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Alexandria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Alexandria and Williamsburg.

With a famous historical old-town, Alexandria offers plenty to see. 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.

The rich history of Williamsburg can be explored in its historical center. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

If you're looking to go shopping, Alexandria and Williamsburg both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Alexandria. 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.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Williamsburg is very family-friendly. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Alexandria and Williamsburg both excellent destinations for a couple.

Alexandria is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg Better for Students?

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

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

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

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Alexandria or Williamsburg. In our opinion, Alexandria has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Alexandria than Williamsburg. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Williamsburg 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 Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

In Alexandria, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and food around the quaint town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

Alexandria is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Williamsburg, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Williamsburg?

Alexandria is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Williamsburg 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 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 Williamsburg, we can see that Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Williamsburg?

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

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 Alexandria or Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Williamsburg. The summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Alexandria is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In the summer, Alexandria often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Williamsburg. Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alexandria is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alexandria or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg and Alexandria during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. In January, Alexandria is generally much colder than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 35°F (1°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Alexandria often gets less sunshine than Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months.

Alexandria is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alexandria usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during spring. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Alexandria