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

Should you visit Arlington or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Seattle, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and theater.

Arlington and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle than Arlington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle.

How is Arlington different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Seattle 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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Arlington is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Arlington is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Seattle.

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, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Seattle 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 Seattle know how to have a good time. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Arlington is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Arlington is not a live music destination.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Seattle?

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

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.

Seattle is a great destination for shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Families?

Arlington and Seattle 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 Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Couples?

Arlington and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Arlington or Seattle Better for Students?

Both Arlington and Seattle are superb destinations for 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Arlington is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has a great public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Arlington or Seattle a more walkable city?

Arlington and Seattle are superb when it comes to 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Seattle?

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

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

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

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

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. 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 Seattle?

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Seattle?

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 live music when visiting the laid-back city of Seattle. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 Seattle, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Seattle.

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Arlington because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Arlington is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In the summer, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Arlington is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Arlington usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arlington usually receives less rain than Seattle. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Seattle. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Arlington is a little warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle 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 Seattle during spring. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Seattle. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Arlington