A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Columbia River Gorge for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Columbia River Gorge, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful, scenic, and natural region. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Arlington and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Columbia River Gorge than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Columbia River Gorge is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Columbia River Gorge is well known for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. Also, Columbia River Gorge is famous for Vista House at Crown Point.

How is Arlington different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Arlington is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Columbia River Gorge.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Columbia River Gorge makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for nightlife and partying.

Arlington offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Columbia River Gorge. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Arlington and Columbia River Gorge.

Arlington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Columbia River Gorge is a great destination for shopping. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Columbia River Gorge is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Columbia River Gorge. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Columbia River Gorge is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Columbia River Gorge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington and Columbia River Gorge are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Columbia River Gorge. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Arlington is a great city to visit as a student. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Arlington can get you around easily. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Arlington or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Arlington is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Columbia River Gorge 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arlington. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the region of Columbia River Gorge. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Arlington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the natural destination of Columbia River Gorge. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this region has to offer. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Arlington for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Arlington. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the natural region of Columbia River Gorge. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

The international destination of Arlington offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Columbia River Gorge is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Arlington or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Arlington or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Columbia River Gorge. The summer months attract visitors to Arlington because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the summer, Arlington is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arlington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In the summer, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Arlington is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 60°F (15°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Arlington usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arlington usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

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

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. Arlington is much colder than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

Columbia River Gorge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Columbia River Gorge. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Arlington is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arlington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge during spring. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Arlington