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

Should you visit Dallas or Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Dallas and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Williamsburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dallas. Although Dallas and Williamsburg are both popular with visitors, Dallas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dallas is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Williamsburg is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Dallas and Williamsburg.

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 Williamsburg can be an interesting and educational experience. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Dallas and Williamsburg.

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.

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Dallas know how to have a good time. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is renowned for its old town. However, Dallas does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Williamsburg is one of the most recognized in the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Williamsburg?

Both Dallas and Williamsburg are high quality shopping destinations.

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 explore the shopping areas in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg Better for Families?

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

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. 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.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Williamsburg are high quality 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.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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

Dallas is a good destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Dallas or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Dallas and Williamsburg both are decent 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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Dallas or Williamsburg. In our opinion, Williamsburg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Williamsburg than Dallas. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Dallas than Williamsburg. 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.

One day in Dallas or Williamsburg?

In Dallas, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this active city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Williamsburg?

Dallas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the upscale destination of Dallas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Williamsburg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Williamsburg?

Dallas is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Williamsburg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Williamsburg, we can see that Dallas is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas than you might in Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Williamsburg?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Dallas is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during summer. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dallas usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the autumn, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. Dallas is much warmer than Williamsburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Dallas during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dallas is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the spring, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Williamsburg. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Dallas