A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Cleveland for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlotte or Cleveland?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Cleveland can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Charlotte and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Cleveland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Charlotte than Cleveland. Charlotte is bigger than Cleveland, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Charlotte is better known for its food and big city activities, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums and music. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Charlotte different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Cleveland?

Cleveland is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Cleveland specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Charlotte. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Charlotte and Cleveland.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is great for its music scene. However, Charlotte is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland draws a good crowd. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Charlotte is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Cleveland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Charlotte and Cleveland both offer plenty of notable spots.

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Cleveland is a great destination for shopping. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Charlotte or Cleveland.

Charlotte offers lots of family activities. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Cleveland is a family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Students?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Charlotte has some public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Charlotte or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Cleveland. In our opinion, Charlotte has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charlotte than Cleveland. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte than Cleveland 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 Charlotte.

One day in Charlotte or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Charlotte. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charlotte has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cleveland. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cleveland has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the growing destination of Charlotte. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Cleveland. 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 Charlotte or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the growing city of Charlotte. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the authentic city of Cleveland. 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 Charlotte or Cleveland?

Charlotte 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.

Cleveland 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 The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlotte and Cleveland, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte than you might in Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Cleveland?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Cleveland, 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 Charlotte or Cleveland?

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 Charlotte or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Cleveland. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charlotte is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlotte or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Cleveland. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Cleveland in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cleveland can be very cold during winter. Charlotte is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlotte or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Charlotte during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Charlotte is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the spring, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in April than Cleveland. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Charlotte