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

Should you visit Melbourne or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Dallas? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, 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 upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Dallas?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Dallas. Melbourne is bigger than Dallas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Melbourne different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Dallas.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Melbourne or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Melbourne and Dallas offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Dining out in Dallas is an experience not to be missed. 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 Melbourne or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Dallas.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Dallas is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Melbourne or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a well-known place for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Dallas?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Melbourne and Dallas.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Dallas. 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 Melbourne or Dallas Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Dallas.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Melbourne or Dallas Better for Couples?

Dallas is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

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 Melbourne or Dallas Better for Students?

Melbourne is renowned for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne can get you around easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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 Melbourne or Dallas a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Dallas?

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

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

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

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

One day in Melbourne or Dallas?

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dallas. 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 Melbourne or Dallas?

Melbourne 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the upscale destination of Dallas. 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.

Five days in Melbourne or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the chic city of Dallas. 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.

A week in Melbourne or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the progressive big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 Melbourne and Dallas, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Dallas?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dallas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Dallas. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Melbourne is much colder than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the summer, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Dallasin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Dallasin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Melbourne is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C)in October.

It's quite sunny in Dallas. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Dallasin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In July, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Dallasin January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Dallasin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dallasin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Dallas. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

Melbourne is cooler than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Dallasin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Melbourne