A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Olympic National Park for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Arlington or Olympic National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Olympic National Park, 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 historical, educational, and international city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a stunning, vast, and pristine park. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Arlington and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arlington. Although Arlington and Olympic National Park are both popular with visitors, Arlington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arlington is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Olympic National Park is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Arlington is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also home to Arlington National Cemetery. Olympic National Park is popular for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Arlington different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its museums and history.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Olympic National Park. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.


Is the Food Better in Arlington or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arlington. 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.

Olympic National Park is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

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.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Olympic National Park is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Arlington is not a resort destination.


Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Olympic National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Arlington offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

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 Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

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 Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Olympic National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Students?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Olympic National Park is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Olympic National Park is not popular with students.


Is Arlington or Olympic National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Is Arlington or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Arlington
Olympic National Park

Arlington is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

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

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable city. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

In either Arlington or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Olympic National Park than Arlington because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Olympic National Park 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.


  • How many days in Arlington or Olympic National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Arlington 2-4 
    Olympic National Park 2-5

One day in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

In Arlington, you'll find shopping and museums. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food and museums around the park of Olympic National Park. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the stunning destination of Olympic National Park. 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 park has to offer. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

Arlington is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and museums around the vast park of Olympic National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this park makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this park has to offer.

A week in Arlington or Olympic National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Arlington. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Olympic National Park is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Olympic National Park or Arlington?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arlington is $264, while the average daily cost in Olympic National Park is $124. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arlington and Olympic National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arlington $131
    Olympic National Park $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arlington $262
    Olympic National Park $98
Compare Hotels in Arlington and Olympic National Park

Looking for a hotel in Arlington or Olympic National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arlington


Hotels in Olympic National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arlington $49
    Olympic National Park $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Arlington or Olympic National Park?

Prices for flights to both Olympic National Park and Arlington change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arlington $81
    Olympic National Park $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arlington $11
    Olympic National Park $26

Tours and Activities in Olympic National Park

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Olympic National Park are as follows:

  • Olympic Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Olympic Full Day Small Group Tour: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arlington $17
    Olympic National Park $5.57


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

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



When is the best time to visit Arlington or Olympic National Park?

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 Olympic National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Olympic National Park. Many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Arlington is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 79°F (26°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In the summer, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Arlington 79°F (26°C) 
    Olympic National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Olympic National Park because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Arlington is a little warmer than Olympic National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Arlington usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during autumn. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. In October, Arlington usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Arlington 60°F (15°C) 
    Olympic National Park 51°F (10°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

Both Olympic National Park and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Olympic National Park in the winter. The weather in Arlington can be very cold. In the winter, Arlington is much colder than Olympic National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arlington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 41°F (5°C).

In the winter, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun.

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Arlington 35°F (1°C) 
    Olympic National Park 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Olympic National Park. Furthermore, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty.

In April, Arlington is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 56°F (14°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during spring. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Arlington usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Arlington 56°F (14°C) 
    Olympic National Park 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Arlington

Arlington Olympic National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 41°F (5°C) 13.7 inches (349 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 43°F (6°C) 12.2 inches (311 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 44°F (7°C) 11.6 inches (294 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 47°F (8°C) 7.4 inches (189 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 52°F (11°C) 5.6 inches (142 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 58°F (14°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 51°F (10°C) 10.4 inches (263 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 45°F (7°C) 14 inches (355 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 41°F (5°C) 15 inches (380 mm)