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

Should you visit Arlington or Pittsburgh?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Pittsburgh, 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.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a under-rated, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Arlington and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Pittsburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pittsburgh than Arlington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pittsburgh is very popular for its big city activities, while Arlington attracts visitors for its food. Arlington is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Pittsburgh is famous for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". It is also well known for Mount Washington.

How is Arlington different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Pittsburgh and Arlington.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pittsburgh. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

Arlington is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Pittsburgh have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Pittsburgh know how to have a good time. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Pittsburgh?

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

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.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Arlington and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Arlington is a nice place to visit for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination 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.

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Arlington is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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.

Pittsburgh has a few public transit options. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Arlington or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Arlington is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pittsburgh is somewhat walkable. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Pittsburgh?

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

Families should spend more time in Arlington than Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

With museums and nightlife around the international city of Arlington, there's plenty to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arlington, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Arlington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Arlington 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Pittsburgh, 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.