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

Should you visit Miami 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 Miami and Dallas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Miami

Miami is a exciting, diverse, and bustling beach city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Miami travel costs.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Dallas travel costs.

Miami and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Miami or Dallas?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Miami than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Miami, Miami has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Miami is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Dallas attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Miami is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. It is also well known for South Beach. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Miami different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas 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 Dallas?

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

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.

Miami does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Miami is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Miami has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Miami or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Miami is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Miami is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Miami or Dallas Better for Music?

Miami is renowned for its live music scene. However, Dallas is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Miami Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is Miami or Dallas Better for Resorts?

Miami is renowned for its resorts. However, Dallas is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Miami is a perfect choice. 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.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Miami or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Miami is renowned for the beach. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Miami is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Miami or Dallas?

Miami is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Miami make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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 Miami or Dallas Better for Families?

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

Miami is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Dallas is very family-friendly. 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 Miami or Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Miami frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Dallas is a great beach city if you're traveling as 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.

Is Miami or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Miami is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

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 Miami or Dallas Better for Students?

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

Miami is a good beach city to visit for students. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Miami and Dallas.

You'll find some public transit in Miami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

While Dallas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Miami or Dallas a more walkable city?

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

Miami is a very walkable beach city. 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable beach 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 Miami Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Miami?

How long in Miami or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Miami or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas 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 Dallas.

Families should spend more time in Miami than Dallas. 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 Dallas. 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 Miami 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 Miami.

One day in Miami or Dallas?

Miami 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.

In Dallas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this chic 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 Dallas?

Miami is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Miami. Most people come for the beaches. 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 is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Dallas. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Miami or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the bustling big city of Miami. This beach 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the upscale destination of Dallas. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Dallas, we can see that Miami is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive? and Is Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Miami or Dallas?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Miami or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Dallas. The summer months attract visitors to Miami because of the beaches, 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, Miami is around the same temperature as Dallas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Miami in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Dallas averages at about 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during summer. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Miami usually receives more rain than Dallas. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Miami or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Miami as well as Dallas. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Miami this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Miami is generally a little warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 78°F (26°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the autumn, Miami often gets more sunshine than Dallas. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Miami usually gets more rain in October than Dallas. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Miami for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Miami is much warmer than Dallas in the winter. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 67°F (20°C) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during winter. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Miami usually receives more rain than Dallas. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Miami or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Miami during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Miami in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Miami is a little warmer than Dallas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Miami in April average around 75°F (24°C), and Dallas averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Miami. In the spring, Miami often gets more sunshine than Dallas. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Miami usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Miami