A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Williamsburg for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a family-friendly, relaxing, and peaceful coastal town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, food, and beaches.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Hilton Head Island different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Williamsburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Hilton Head Island offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Williamsburg is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Williamsburg. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hilton Head Island to choose from. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Hilton Head Island for it's beautiful beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Families?

You'll find first-rate kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. 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.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

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.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Williamsburg is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. 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 Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Hilton Head Island. 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 Williamsburg than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Williamsburg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg than Hilton Head Island 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

In Hilton Head Island, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this family-friendly coastal town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Williamsburg. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Hilton Head Island is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Williamsburg is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the charming town of Williamsburg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Williamsburg has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

In Hilton Head Island, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this beautiful destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Williamsburg. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days 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.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Williamsburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Williamsburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg?

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 Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Hilton Head Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the summer, Hilton Head Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Williamsburg. The winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. In January, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Hilton Head Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during spring. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Hilton Head Island