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

Should you visit Columbus or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit Columbus 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.

Columbus

Columbus is a down-to-earth, authentic, and friendly city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Columbus and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlottesville. Although Columbus and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Charlottesville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlottesville is very popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Columbus attracts visitors for its shopping. Columbus is famous for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. It is also well known for The University of Virginia Campus.

How is Columbus different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbus or Charlottesville?

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Columbus or Charlottesville.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Columbus or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Columbus and Charlottesville both to be reasonable destinations.

Columbus offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Charlottesville. 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 Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Columbus and Charlottesville.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbus. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Charlottesville has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Columbus or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

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

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Columbus does not have a historic old town.

Is Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Columbus is not a hiking destination.

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.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Charlottesville?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Columbus 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.

Columbus does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Columbus 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, Columbus is very family-friendly. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

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 Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Charlottesville is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Columbus or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus 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.

Columbus is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Columbus and Charlottesville.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

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

Is Columbus or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

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

Columbus is a somewhat walkable place. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

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 Columbus Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbus and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charlottesville than in Columbus. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbus, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlottesville than Columbus 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 Columbus or Charlottesville?

The welcoming destination of Columbus offers shopping and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbus or Charlottesville?

The city of Columbus offers museums and nightlife. 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 is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlottesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Charlottesville?

Columbus is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbus or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Columbus. 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.

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This university town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Charlottesville, we can see that Columbus is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Charlottesville?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Columbus 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 Columbus or Charlottesville?

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 Columbus or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbus or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Charlottesville. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbus because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In October, Columbus is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 57°F (14°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbus 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 Columbus in the winter. Columbus is much colder than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbus or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Columbus is cooler than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbus in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in April than Charlottesville. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Columbus