A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbus vs. Virginia Beach for Families, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Columbus or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Virginia Beach? 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

Columbus and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Columbus than Virginia Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Columbus is very popular for its museums and shopping, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Columbus and is known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Columbus is famous for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. It is also well known for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

How is Columbus different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Columbus is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Columbus and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Columbus and Virginia Beach.

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.

Virginia Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Columbus is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Columbus is not a resort destination.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its beaches. However, Columbus is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Columbus is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

Columbus is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbus or Virginia Beach.

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.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly city. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

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

Virginia Beach is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Columbus is not popular with students.

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

Columbus is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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 limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Columbus or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Columbus is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

Both Columbus and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Columbus. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbus, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbus than Virginia Beach 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 Columbus.

One day in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

In Columbus, you'll find nightlife and shopping. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers 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 Virginia Beach?

Columbus is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbus. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbus or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Columbus. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Virginia Beach, we can see that Columbus is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Columbus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbus than you might in Virginia Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Virginia Beach?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbus is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbus in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbus or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Columbus in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Columbus is generally cooler than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 57°F (14°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Columbus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Columbus can be very cold during winter. Columbus is much colder than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbus or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

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

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in April than Virginia Beach. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Columbus