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

Should you visit Dallas or Seattle?

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 Seattle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a outdoorsy, laid-back, and bustling city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Dallas and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Seattle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Seattle than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, music, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dallas is known for its shopping. Seattle is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Dallas different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Dallas and Seattle.

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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is very good for its theatre productions. However, Dallas is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Dallas is not a theatre destination.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Dallas and Seattle.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Seattle has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Both Dallas and Seattle are excellent 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.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Dallas is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Seattle to enjoy the beach. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Seattle?

Dallas is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Families?

Dallas is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Couples?

Dallas is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Seattle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Dallas or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Seattle is very popular with students. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Both Dallas and Seattle offer good public transit options.

Dallas has a few 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Dallas or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Seattle?

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

Families should spend more time in Dallas than Seattle. 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.

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

One day in Dallas or Seattle?

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Seattle is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Seattle?

In Dallas, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dallas has to offer.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

Dallas is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the progressive big city of Seattle. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Seattle?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Dallas or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dallas is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during summer. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dallas usually receives more rain than Seattle. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Dallas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dallas is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the autumn, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Seattle. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Seattle. Many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Dallas is a little warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Seattle. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dallas is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the spring, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Dallas