A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Charlottesville for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Destin 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 Destin and Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a relaxing, peaceful, and family-friendly beach town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, 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 gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Destin and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlottesville. Although Destin and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Charlottesville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlottesville is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Destin attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Destin is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. It is also well known for The University of Virginia Campus.

How is Destin different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlottesville is very good for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Destin is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

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 Destin or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is very good for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

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.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Destin is a great beach town for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Destin to choose from. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Destin is a great beach town for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Destin for it's beautiful beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Charlottesville to see the historical 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.

Destin does not have a historic old town.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin 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.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Charlottesville?

Destin is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Destin 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.

Destin does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Destin or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Destin is a great beach town 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, Destin is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

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 Destin or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Both Destin and Charlottesville are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Destin is a nice destination for couples. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Destin or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is terrific for students. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town 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.

Destin is a decent spot for students. It is more a family-friendly destination than a spring break destination. If you're looking for a place to cut loose and blow off some steam, then there are better options in Florida.

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

Charlottesville is a moderate university town for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Charlottesville is a moderate university town for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Destin?

How long in Destin or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Destin and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Charlottesville. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlottesville than Destin 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 Charlottesville.

One day in Destin or Charlottesville?

The beautiful destination of Destin offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Destin or Charlottesville?

The beach town of Destin offers shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Destin or Charlottesville?

Destin is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This beach town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Destin or Charlottesville?

The beautiful beach town of Destin offers shopping and food. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin 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 Destin 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 Destin or Charlottesville in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Destin is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Destin in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Destin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin usually gets more rain in July than Charlottesville. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area 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 October, Destin is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 69°F (21°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In October, Destin usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Destin or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Destin during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. Destin is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Charlottesville. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Destin is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Destin in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Destin usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Destin