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

Should you visit Charlotte or Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg

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

Charlotte and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Williamsburg?

Both Williamsburg and Charlotte have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Charlotte is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Williamsburg attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.

How is Charlotte different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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 Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Charlotte or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

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

Charlotte has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

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 Charlotte or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte 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.

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is great for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Charlotte or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Charlotte or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is great for couples. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

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.

Is Charlotte or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Williamsburg. 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.

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

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

Charlotte is a good destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Charlotte or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

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 Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Williamsburg?

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

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. 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 Williamsburg than Charlotte 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Charlotte or Williamsburg?

In Charlotte, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this up-and-coming city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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 Charlotte or Williamsburg?

Charlotte 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 well-preserved 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 Charlotte or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the evolving destination of Charlotte. 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 charming 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 Charlotte or Williamsburg?

Charlotte 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 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 Williamsburg, we can see that Charlotte 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 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 Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Williamsburg?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the summer, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Williamsburg. Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Charlotte is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or Williamsburg in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. In January, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Williamsburg. The activities around the city are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Charlotte