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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

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 Charlottesville and Kennebunkport. 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a quaint, character-filled, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Charlottesville and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kennebunkport. Although Charlottesville and Kennebunkport are popular destinations, Kennebunkport has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kennebunkport is very popular for its food, resorts, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Kennebunkport is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. It is also well known for Dock Square. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Charlottesville and Kennebunkport.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kennebunkport. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kennebunkport has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Charlottesville and Kennebunkport.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Kennebunkport to choose from. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Kennebunkport does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Kennebunkport does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Charlottesville and Kennebunkport, and they are nice.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Kennebunkport is a good destination for hiking. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kennebunkport is well-known for its shopping. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Kennebunkport does not offer Christmas activities.

Charlottesville is a very popular destination during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Kennebunkport does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Families?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Kennebunkport is very family-friendly. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Kennebunkport is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Kennebunkport is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Kennebunkport is not popular with students.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville and Kennebunkport both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is generally limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Is Charlottesville or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kennebunkport or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kennebunkport than Charlottesville 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 Kennebunkport.

One day in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

The character-filled small town of Kennebunkport offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. 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.

The town of Kennebunkport offers food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town 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.

Kennebunkport is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kennebunkport. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Charlottesville and Kennebunkport, we can see that Kennebunkport is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Kennebunkport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kennebunkport than you might in Charlottesville.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Kennebunkport, 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 Charlottesville or Kennebunkport?

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 Charlottesville or Kennebunkport in the Summer?

Both Kennebunkport and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Kennebunkport. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Kennebunkport during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Kennebunkport in the Autumn?

Both Kennebunkport and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kennebunkport in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Charlottesville is much warmer than Kennebunkport in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 196 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Kennebunkport in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Kennebunkport. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kennebunkport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kennebunkport can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Charlottesville is much warmer than Kennebunkport. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kennebunkport during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Kennebunkport in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Kennebunkport. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Kennebunkport because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kennebunkport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 212 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Kennebunkport. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and Charlottesville