A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Miami vs. Arlington for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Miami or Arlington?

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 Miami and Arlington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Miami

Miami is a diverse, bustling, and high energy beach city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Miami and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Miami or Arlington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Miami than Arlington. Miami is bigger than Arlington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Miami is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Arlington is more popular for its museums. Miami is more touristy than Arlington and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. Also, Miami is famous for South Beach. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Miami different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arlington is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Miami does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Miami does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Miami is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Miami is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Miami is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Miami is a must-see party destination. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Music?

Miami is terrific for its music scene. However, Arlington is not a live music destination.

Miami has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

Arlington is not a live music destination.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Miami is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Miami offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Miami is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Miami are among the best in the world. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Miami or Arlington?

Miami is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Miami specifically to go shopping. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. 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 Miami or Arlington Better for Families?

Miami is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Miami. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. 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 Miami or Arlington Better for Couples?

Miami is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Miami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is well known for backpackers. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Miami. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

Is Miami or Arlington Better for Students?

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

Arlington is very popular with students. 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 Miami. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

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

Arlington is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

While Miami offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

Is Miami or Arlington a more walkable city?

Miami and Arlington both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Miami is very walkable. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Miami?

How long in Miami or Arlington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Miami or Arlington?

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

In Arlington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Miami or Arlington?

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Miami or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy beach city of Miami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arlington is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Arlington. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Miami or Arlington?

Miami is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Arlington. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Miami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Miami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Miami 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 Miami.

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

Which is Bigger, Miami or Arlington?

Miami has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Miami as well as Arlington. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Miami this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Miami is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 83°F (28°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 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 Miami this time of the year. In the summer, Miami often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Miami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Miami usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or Arlington in the Autumn?

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

Miami is much warmer than Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Miami. In October, Miami usually receives more rain than Arlington. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Miami or Arlington in the Winter?

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

Arlington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Miami is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Miami in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

It's quite sunny in Miami. In the winter, Miami often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Miami usually gets less rain in January than Arlington. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Arlington. Most visitors come to Miami for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Miami is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 75°F (24°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Miami usually receives more rain than Arlington. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Miami