A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Virginia Beach for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Key West or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Key West or Virginia Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Key West

Key West is a laid-back, quirky, and eclectic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Key West and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Virginia Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Key West than Virginia Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Key West is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Also, Key West is famous for Duval Street. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Key West different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Key West 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.

Key West has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

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 Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Key West 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 Key West for the nightlife scene. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

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 Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Key West is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

Key West is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. 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.

Is Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Key West has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Key West is great for the beache. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Key West. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. 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 Key West or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Key West is great for its old town. However, Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Key West to see the historical old town. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Virginia Beach?

Key West is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Key West has some nice offerings. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Key West or Virginia Beach.

Key West is a very kid-friendly town. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Virginia Beach. 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 Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

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

Key West is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

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 Key West or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Key West is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.

Key West is a great town to visit as a student. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

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

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

Neither Key West or Virginia Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Key West or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Key West 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.

Key West is a somewhat walkable place. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

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 Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Key West?

How long in Key West or Virginia Beach?

Both Key West and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Key West has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Key West than Virginia Beach. However, 5-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Key West 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 Key West.

One day in Key West or Virginia Beach?

In Key West, you'll find nightlife and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Key West or Virginia Beach?

Key West is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Key West or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key West. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Key West or Virginia Beach?

In Key West, you'll find nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

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 Key West and Virginia Beach, we can see that Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive? and Is Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key West or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West or Virginia Beach?

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 Key West or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Key West usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Key West is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key West in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Key West or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In January, Key West is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 70°F (21°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Virginia Beach. The spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

Key West is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Key West