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

Should you visit Columbus or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Dallas? 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 authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Columbus and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Dallas?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dallas than Columbus. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Columbus is famous for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also well known for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Columbus different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Columbus offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in Columbus or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Columbus or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Dallas?

Dallas is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Columbus offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Columbus or Dallas Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbus or Dallas.

Columbus is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Columbus or Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dallas is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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

Is Columbus or Dallas a more walkable city?

Columbus is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbus Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Columbus or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbus, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

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

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

One day in Columbus or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Columbus. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The city of Dallas offers food and shopping. 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 Dallas?

Columbus is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Columbus or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbus. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the down-to-earth destination of Columbus. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas 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 city 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Columbus. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Columbus or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Dallas. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbus this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbus is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbus in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Dallas averages at about 88°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbus this time of the year. In the summer, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Columbus for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Columbus is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 57°F (14°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during autumn. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbus usually receives less rain than Dallas. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbus or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Columbus during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Columbus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. Columbus is much colder than Dallas in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Dallas. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Columbus is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbus in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Dallas averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during spring. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbus usually receives less rain than Dallas. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Columbus