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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster. 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 traditional, young, and collegiate university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a traditional, picturesque, and scenic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Charlottesville and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Lancaster?

Both Lancaster and Charlottesville have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Charlottesville is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Lancaster is known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Lancaster is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its history and long running Amish community. Charlottesville is popular 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 Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lancaster is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. 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.

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

Lancaster is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lancaster has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

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 Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Charlottesville or Lancaster Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Lancaster Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Lancaster?

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

Lancaster is well-known for its shopping. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Lancaster Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a great university town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Lancaster Better for Families?

Lancaster 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, Lancaster is very family-friendly. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

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 Lancaster Better for Couples?

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

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lancaster is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. 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.

Lancaster is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville and Lancaster both offer decent 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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is Charlottesville or Lancaster a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Lancaster are decent when it comes to walkability.

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

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Lancaster?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Lancaster. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Charlottesville or Lancaster?

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

The traditional destination of Lancaster offers shopping and museums. 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 Lancaster?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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 Lancaster?

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

Lancaster is a great place to explore. 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 Lancaster?

Charlottesville 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Lancaster. 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 Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster 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 Lancaster would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lancaster 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 Lancaster Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Lancaster?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Lancaster in the Autumn?

Both Lancaster and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. Charlottesville is much warmer than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Lancaster in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Lancaster. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Lancaster. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Charlottesville