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

Should you visit Atlantic City or Arlington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Arlington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Atlantic City and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Arlington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Arlington is more popular for its museums & sights and food. Atlantic City is more touristy than Arlington and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Atlantic City different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arlington and Atlantic City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atlantic City or Arlington?

Arlington is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Arlington is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Atlantic City is a must-see party destination. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

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.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Beaches?

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

Atlantic City has a beach worth visiting. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Arlington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arlington and Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arlington. 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 Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Families?

Arlington is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Couples?

Atlantic City and Arlington both notable destinations for a couple.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Arlington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is well known for backpackers. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is well known for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Atlantic City or Arlington a more walkable city?

Atlantic City and Arlington both are great when exploring on foot.

Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Atlantic City or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

Families should spend more time in Arlington than Atlantic City. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Arlington?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the educational destination of Arlington. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the flashy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Atlantic City or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glitzy city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international destination of Arlington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Atlantic City or Arlington?

Atlantic City 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Arlington. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Arlington, 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 Atlantic City or Arlington?

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 Atlantic City or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Arlington. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Atlantic City is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

Atlantic City is cooler than Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Arlington. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Arlington in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. In the winter, Atlantic City is much colder than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Arlington. The beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In April, Atlantic City is generally cooler than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Arlington. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Atlantic City