A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Arlington vs. Williamsburg for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Arlington or Williamsburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Williamsburg, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Arlington and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Arlington and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arlington attracts visitors for its nightlife. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Arlington different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

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

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, Williamsburg makes for a great culinary experience. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Is Arlington or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Arlington or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Arlington or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg Better for Couples?

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

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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 Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Arlington or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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.

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

Arlington is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Arlington or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Arlington is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Arlington or Williamsburg. In our opinion, Williamsburg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Williamsburg than Arlington. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

In Arlington, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historical city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Williamsburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Williamsburg?

Arlington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and food around the quaint destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Arlington. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Williamsburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Williamsburg?

Arlington is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Williamsburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Williamsburg, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Williamsburg?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Arlington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arlington. In the summer, Arlington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arlington usually gets less rain in July than Williamsburg. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Arlington is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. Arlington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arlington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. Arlington can be very cold during winter. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Williamsburg. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during spring. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arlington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Arlington