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

Should you visit Orlando or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Cleveland? 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and theater.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Orlando and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Cleveland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Orlando than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Orlando, Orlando has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Orlando is more popular for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Cleveland is known for its museums and music. Orlando is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Orlando different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Cleveland?

Cleveland is great for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Theater?

Orlando is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Cleveland is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Cleveland is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orlando is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Orlando and Cleveland.

If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is great for live music. However, Orlando is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland draws a good crowd. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Orlando is not a live music destination.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Resorts?

Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Cleveland is not a resort destination.

Orlando offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Cleveland is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Cleveland?

Orlando is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Christmas?

Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Cleveland does not offer Christmas activities.

Orlando offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

Cleveland does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Families?

Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Orlando is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Orlando is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Orlando is a nice destination for couples. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Students?

Orlando is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

Is Orlando or Cleveland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orlando and Cleveland both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Orlando or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Cleveland is adequate for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Cleveland is generally not a very walkable city. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orlando and Cleveland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cleveland than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orlando than Cleveland 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 Orlando.

One day in Orlando or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and theater around the city of Orlando. 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 Cleveland, you'll find nightlife and live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Orlando or Cleveland?

Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Cleveland, you'll find live music and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cleveland has to offer.

Five days in Orlando or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Orlando. 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.

Cleveland is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Cleveland?

Orlando 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cleveland. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Cleveland, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Cleveland, 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 Orlando or Cleveland?

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 Orlando or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Cleveland. Many travelers come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Orlando is a little warmer than Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Orlando usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orlando or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Cleveland. Many visitors come to Orlando in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Orlando is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orlando in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Orlando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. In January, Orlando is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 59°F (15°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In January, Orlando usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orlando or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Orlando during the spring are popular places to visit.

Orlando is much warmer than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 72°F (22°C) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Orlando usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cleveland. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Orlando