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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis. 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Charlottesville and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Minneapolis is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Minneapolis is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America. Charlottesville is well known 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 Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Minneapolis is a great city 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 Minneapolis. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Minneapolis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

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 Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Minneapolis has something for everybody. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. 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.

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Charlottesville. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Minneapolis does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Minneapolis draws large crowds to its stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Minneapolis does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Minneapolis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis Better for Families?

Minneapolis is a great city 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, Minneapolis is very family-friendly. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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 Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Minneapolis both notable destinations for a couple.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Minneapolis is a good university town for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Charlottesville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Minneapolis. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

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

Minneapolis is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While Minneapolis offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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

Is Charlottesville or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

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

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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 Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Charlottesville or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The innovative destination of Minneapolis offers nightlife and food. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Minneapolis?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Minneapolis offers food and shopping. 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 Minneapolis?

Because Charlottesville is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Minneapolis in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlottesville in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Minneapolis in the Winter?

Both Minneapolis and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Minneapolis this time of year.

It's quite cold in Minneapolis in the winter. The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In January, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 36°F (2°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 15°F (-10°C).

Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Minneapolis in the Spring?

Both Minneapolis and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city.

Charlottesville is much warmer than Minneapolis in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in April than Minneapolis. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Charlottesville