A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Martha's Vineyard for Couples, Food, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 collegiate, southern, and proud 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a affluent, coastal, and peaceful island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches.

Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard are both popular with visitors, Martha's Vineyard has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Martha's Vineyard is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Charlottesville is known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also home to the Aquinnah Cliffs. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Martha's Vineyard has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard, and they are good.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Martha's Vineyard is well-known for its shopping. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a great university town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard are good family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Students?

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

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

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 Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlottesville than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

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 offers something for everyone.

The coastal small town of Martha's Vineyard offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

The island of Martha's Vineyard offers shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the shopping and food when visiting Martha's Vineyard. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Charlottesville