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

Should you visit Galveston 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 Galveston and Virginia Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Galveston

Galveston is a charming, coastal, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. 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. Visitors also love the nightlife and beaches.

Galveston and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Galveston than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Galveston, Galveston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Galveston is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts and impressive beauty. Galveston is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes. Also, Galveston is famous for Pleasure Pier. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Galveston different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Galveston 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 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Galveston is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Galveston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

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 Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Galveston 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 Galveston for the nightlife scene. 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.

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 Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Galveston 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.

Galveston is not a resort destination.

Is Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Galveston and Virginia Beach are notable choices for a beach vacation.

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.

Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Is Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Galveston is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Galveston. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Galveston is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galveston. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Galveston is very family-friendly. 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.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

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

Galveston is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Virginia Beach is a good town 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 Galveston or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Galveston is not popular with students.

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

Galveston is not popular with students.

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

Galveston is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly 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.

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 Galveston or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Galveston is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. 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 Galveston Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Galveston?

How long in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Both Galveston 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 Galveston. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Galveston, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Galveston than Virginia Beach. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galveston 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 Galveston.

One day in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

In Galveston, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife around the coastal city of Virginia Beach. 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.

A weekend in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Galveston 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.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galveston. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Galveston. 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.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galveston and Virginia Beach, we can see that Galveston is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Galveston or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Galveston 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 Galveston or Virginia Beach?

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 Galveston or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Galveston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galveston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Galveston is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. In July, Galveston usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Galveston gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galveston or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Galveston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Galveston for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Galveston is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galveston in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

Galveston usually gets less rain in October than Virginia Beach. Galveston gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galveston or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galveston and Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Galveston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine during these months.

Virginia Beach can be very cold during winter. In January, Galveston is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 52°F (11°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In January, Galveston usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Galveston gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galveston or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galveston as well as Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Galveston is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Galveston usually gets less rain in April than Virginia Beach. Galveston gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Galveston