A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Dallas for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or Dallas?

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 Manchester and Dallas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Dallas?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Manchester different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Dallas?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Dallas.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Dallas offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Manchester and Dallas.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Dallas has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Dallas is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Dallas?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Dallas both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Dallas.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Dallas are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Students?

Manchester is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

Is Manchester or Dallas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Manchester can get you around easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Manchester or Dallas a more walkable city?

Manchester is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Manchester or Dallas. In our opinion, Manchester has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Manchester than Dallas. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Dallas 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 Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Dallas?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the upscale city of Dallas, 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 Manchester or Dallas?

Manchester 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dallas, 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 Manchester or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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.

Dallas, 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 Manchester or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Dallas, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manchester is in Europe and Dallas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Dallas, 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 Manchester or Dallas?

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 Manchester or Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In the summer, Manchester is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Dallas averages at about 88°F (31°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Dallas. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Manchester is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives less rain than Dallas. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Dallas. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. Manchester is much colder than Dallas in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Dallas averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Dallas. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Manchester