A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Phoenix for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arlington or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Phoenix, 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 educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Arlington than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Arlington, Arlington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Arlington is very popular for its museums, food, and nightlife, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Arlington is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also well known for Arlington National Cemetery. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Arlington different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arlington is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Arlington has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Phoenix?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Arlington and Phoenix.

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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Families?

Arlington and Phoenix are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Arlington and Phoenix are both nice to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Arlington or Phoenix Better for Students?

Arlington is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Arlington or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Arlington is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Arlington, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Phoenix?

In Arlington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arlington has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.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.

Five days in Arlington or Phoenix?

Arlington is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the desert city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. 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 comparing the travel costs between Arlington and Phoenix, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Arlington or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Phoenix. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Arlington is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arlington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arlington or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Arlington for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Arlington is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Arlington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arlington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arlington or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Arlington during the spring are popular places to visit.

Arlington is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arlington. In the spring, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Arlington