A Travel Price Comparison for Texas Dallas vs. Galveston for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dallas or Galveston?

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 Galveston 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.

Galveston

Galveston is a charming, coastal, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas and Galveston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Galveston?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dallas than Galveston. Dallas is bigger than Galveston, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dallas is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Galveston is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and small town charm. Galveston is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Galveston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Dallas and Galveston.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Galveston can be an interesting and educational experience. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

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

Dallas is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Galveston area. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

Is Dallas or Galveston Better for Nightlife?

Both Dallas and Galveston are very good when it comes to partying.

Dallas offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Galveston has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

Is Dallas or Galveston Better for Beaches?

Galveston is very good for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Galveston to enjoy the beach. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Dallas or Galveston Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Galveston to see the old town. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Galveston?

Dallas is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Galveston to go shopping. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

Is Dallas or Galveston Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Dallas or Galveston.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Galveston. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

Is Dallas or Galveston Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Galveston are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Galveston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

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

Dallas is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Galveston is not a good destination 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 Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

Is Dallas or Galveston a more walkable city?

Galveston is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Galveston is a somewhat walkable place. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

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 Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Galveston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galveston or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Galveston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Galveston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Galveston. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Galveston.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas than Galveston 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 Galveston?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dallas. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A weekend in Dallas or Galveston?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the upscale destination of Dallas. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Galveston 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 Galveston?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the chic city of Dallas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Dallas is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Galveston. This 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dallas and Galveston, we can see that Galveston is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston than you might in Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Galveston?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Galveston, 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 Galveston?

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 Galveston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Galveston. The summer months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Galveston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Galveston. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Autumn?

Both Galveston and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galveston for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Galveston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Galveston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Winter?

Both Galveston and Dallas during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galveston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Dallas is generally cooler than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Galveston. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Galveston. Many visitors come to Dallas in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston in the spring. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Galveston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Galveston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galveston and Dallas