A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Greensboro vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Greensboro or Arlington?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Greensboro and Arlington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Arlington

Arlington is a historical, educational, and international city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Greensboro and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery


Is there more to do in Greensboro or Arlington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arlington than Greensboro. While Greensboro is larger than Arlington, Arlington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arlington is more touristy than Greensboro and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also home to Arlington National Cemetery. Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Greensboro or Arlington?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Greensboro. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.


Is the Food Better in Greensboro or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arlington. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Arlington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

Is the Shopping Better in Greensboro or Arlington?

Greensboro
Arlington

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arlington and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Arlington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.


Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Families?

Greensboro
Arlington

Both Greensboro and Arlington are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Arlington offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Couples?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

Arlington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arlington is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.


Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Students?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for students. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

It's common for students to visit Greensboro. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Is Greensboro or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Greensboro or Arlington a more walkable city?

Greensboro
Arlington

Arlington is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.


For even more information, also check out Is Greensboro Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Greensboro or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greensboro, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Greensboro 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 Arlington.


  • How many days in Greensboro or Arlington? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greensboro 1-2 
    Arlington 2-4

One day in Greensboro or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Greensboro. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Greensboro has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and nightlife around the educational city of Arlington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Greensboro or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Greensboro. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arlington, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Greensboro or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Greensboro. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arlington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Greensboro or Arlington?

Greensboro is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arlington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington or Greensboro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Greensboro is $162, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $264. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Greensboro and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greensboro $96
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greensboro $192
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Greensboro and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Greensboro or Arlington? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Greensboro


Hotels in Arlington


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Greensboro Hotel Prices and Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greensboro $24
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Greensboro or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Greensboro change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Greensboro $48
    Arlington $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greensboro $26
    Arlington $11

Tours and Activities in Greensboro

Here are a few actual costs in Greensboro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • African American History Walking Tour: $16
  • Downtown Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • True Crime Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greensboro $20
    Arlington $17


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

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


Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Arlington?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro and Arlington, 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 Greensboro or Arlington?

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 Greensboro or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Greensboro as well as Arlington. Many visitors come to Greensboro in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Arlington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Greensboro in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Arlington averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Greensboro this time of the year. In the summer, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Greensboro gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Greensboro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Greensboro usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Greensboro gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Greensboro 81°F (27°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Greensboro or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Greensboro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Greensboro for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In October, Greensboro is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 62°F (17°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Greensboro gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Greensboro gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Greensboro 62°F (17°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Greensboro or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Greensboro during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Greensboro because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. The weather in Greensboro can be very cold. Greensboro is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Greensboro often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Greensboro gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Greensboro usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Greensboro gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Greensboro 40°F (4°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Greensboro or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Greensboro and Arlington.

In the spring, Greensboro is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Greensboro in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Arlington averages at about 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Greensboro usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Greensboro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Greensboro usually receives more rain than Arlington. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Greensboro 61°F (16°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Greensboro

Greensboro Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)