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

Should you visit Dallas or Charlottesville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a proud, traditional, and young university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Charlottesville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dallas than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dallas is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Dallas different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dallas is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dallas. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. 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 Dallas or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dallas has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Dallas has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. 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 Dallas or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is very good for its old town. However, Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Charlottesville to see the 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Charlottesville. 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.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Charlottesville?

Dallas is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dallas is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Dallas does not offer Christmas activities.

Charlottesville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Dallas does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Dallas 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, Dallas is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Dallas is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Dallas is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Dallas or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is renowned for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Dallas is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While Dallas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Dallas or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Dallas and Charlottesville both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Charlottesville. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

One day in Dallas or Charlottesville?

The upscale destination of Dallas offers nightlife and food. 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Charlottesville?

The city of Dallas offers food and shopping. 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 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.

Five days in Dallas or Charlottesville?

Dallas 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. 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.

A week in Dallas or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville 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 Dallas Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Charlottesville?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Charlottesville. Many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dallas is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the summer, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dallas is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dallas or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Dallas during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Charlottesville in the winter. In January, Dallas is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Charlottesville. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Dallas is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Dallas