A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chattanooga vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chattanooga or Arlington?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chattanooga or Arlington? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chattanooga and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Arlington?

Both Arlington and Chattanooga have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Chattanooga is very popular for its hiking, while Arlington attracts visitors for its museums, food, and nightlife. Arlington is more touristy than Chattanooga and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Chattanooga different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chattanooga or Arlington?

Arlington is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Chattanooga or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Arlington is an experience not to be missed. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Arlington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arlington and Chattanooga.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga to go shopping. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arlington. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chattanooga or Arlington.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chattanooga. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Arlington offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Arlington make for a nice place to visit.

Chattanooga is a good city for couples to visit. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great destination for backpackers. However, Chattanooga is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arlington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Chattanooga is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's proximity to the mountains and diverse outdoor activities make this an under-rated destination for many backpackers.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a great destination for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Chattanooga. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

Is Chattanooga or Arlington a more walkable city?

Chattanooga and Arlington both are very good when exploring on foot.

Chattanooga is a very walkable destination. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Arlington?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Chattanooga 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 Arlington.

One day in Chattanooga or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Chattanooga. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international city of Arlington. 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.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the thriving destination of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Arlington. This city 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.

Five days in Chattanooga or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the thriving city of Chattanooga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historical city of Arlington offers shopping and museums. 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.

A week in Chattanooga or Arlington?

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chattanooga and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Chattanooga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chattanooga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chattanooga 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Chattanooga.

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Arlington, 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 Chattanooga or Arlington?

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 Chattanooga or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Chattanooga is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Chattanooga is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chattanooga in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Arlington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. In January, Chattanooga is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 40°F (5°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Arlington.

Chattanooga is a little warmer than Arlington in the spring. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Arlington. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Chattanooga