A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boca Raton vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a posh, outdoorsy, and relaxed coastal city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boca Raton and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boca Raton or Arlington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boca Raton than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Boca Raton, Boca Raton has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Arlington is more touristy than Boca Raton and is known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Boca Raton is famous for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. It is also well known for Red Reef Park.

How is Boca Raton different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boca Raton or Arlington?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Arlington and Boca Raton.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Boca Raton. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Boca Raton and Arlington both to be great destinations.

Boca Raton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.

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.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Boca Raton and Arlington.

Many people head to Boca Raton for the nightlife scene. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

Arlington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Resorts?

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

Boca Raton is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Boca Raton is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Boca Raton has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Boca Raton are among the best in the world. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Hiking?

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

Boca Raton has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or Arlington?

Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.

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 Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Families?

Boca Raton is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Boca Raton. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.

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 Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Couples?

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

Boca Raton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.

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 Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's known for its upscale luxury, and you won't find much in the form of hostels or backpacker-friendly accommodation.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington Better for Students?

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

Boca Raton is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

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.

Boca Raton has a few public transit options. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.

Is Boca Raton or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

Boca Raton is somewhat walkable. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Boca Raton?

How long in Boca Raton or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Boca Raton or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Boca Raton due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Arlington?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Boca Raton. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the educational 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.

A weekend in Boca Raton or Arlington?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the outdoorsy destination of Boca Raton. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Boca Raton or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the outdoorsy coastal city of Boca Raton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

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.

A week in Boca Raton or Arlington?

Boca Raton 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Boca Raton and Arlington, we can see that Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Arlington?

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 Boca Raton or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Arlington. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Boca Raton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during summer. Boca Raton gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Arlington. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Arlington. Most visitors come to Boca Raton for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Boca Raton is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boca Raton in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Arlington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boca Raton this time of the year. In the autumn, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Boca Raton gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Boca Raton usually gets more rain in October than Arlington. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Boca Raton is June to November.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Boca Raton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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. In January, Boca Raton is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 65°F (19°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Boca Raton gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Boca Raton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Boca Raton during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year.

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

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boca Raton. In the spring, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Boca Raton gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton usually gets more rain in April than Arlington. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Boca Raton.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Boca Raton