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

Should you visit Dallas or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Dallas and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dallas than Virginia Beach. Dallas is bigger than Virginia Beach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dallas is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. 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 Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dallas is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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 Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Dallas for the nightlife scene. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is very good for its resorts. However, Dallas is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Virginia Beach to enjoy the beach. 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

Dallas is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Dallas or Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach. 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 Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Dallas is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Virginia Beach is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Dallas or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is very good for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

Dallas is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach 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 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 Dallas or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Dallas and Virginia Beach 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

Both Dallas 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 Dallas. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Couples should spend more time in Dallas than Virginia Beach. 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 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 Dallas.

One day in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

In Dallas, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

Dallas 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 great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. It offers something for everyone. 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 Virginia Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dallas or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Dallas. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Virginia Beach, we can see that Dallas 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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Virginia Beach?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Dallas 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 Dallas or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

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

Dallas is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the summer, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Dallas is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during autumn. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dallas or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

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

Virginia Beach can be very cold during winter. In January, Dallas is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during spring. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Dallas