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

Should you visit Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Charlottesville? 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 thriving, bustling, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Chattanooga and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chattanooga. Although Chattanooga and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Chattanooga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chattanooga is more popular for its food, hiking, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Chattanooga is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. It is also home to Rock City. 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 Chattanooga different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chattanooga or Charlottesville.

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

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Chattanooga or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Chattanooga has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

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 Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chattanooga or Charlottesville has a better nightlife scene.

Chattanooga has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

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.

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

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

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is a great city for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga for the hiking trails. 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.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Chattanooga is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Chattanooga. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charlottesville. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chattanooga or Charlottesville.

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.

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.

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Charlottesville make for a good 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.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. 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 Chattanooga or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an unbeatable place for students. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Chattanooga can get you to some places easily. 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.

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

Is Chattanooga or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

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 Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chattanooga and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Chattanooga has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Chattanooga than Charlottesville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

The outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

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.

Five days in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

A week in Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Charlottesville?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Chattanooga during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chattanooga is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 81°F (27°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Charlottesville. The autumn months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Chattanooga is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Charlottesville. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In the winter, Chattanooga is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chattanooga in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 62°F (17°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Chattanooga