A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Raleigh vs. Alexandria for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Raleigh or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Alexandria? 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.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a student-friendly, suburban-style, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Raleigh or Alexandria?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Alexandria than Raleigh. While Raleigh is larger than Alexandria, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Raleigh attracts visitors for its big city activities. Alexandria is more touristy than Raleigh and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon. Raleigh is famous for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University.

How is Raleigh different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Raleigh or Alexandria?

Alexandria is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.

Is the Food Better in Raleigh or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Raleigh and Alexandria offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Raleigh area. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Alexandria. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Raleigh and Alexandria.

Raleigh has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

If you're looking for night time activities Alexandria has a few options to choose from. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Raleigh does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria has a world-famous historical area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Raleigh does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Alexandria?

Alexandria is well known for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Families?

Raleigh is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Raleigh offers lots of family activities. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Alexandria is well known for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

Couples visit Alexandria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Students?

Raleigh is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

Many students visit Raleigh. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is very popular for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Alexandria has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Raleigh or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is very popular for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Raleigh is generally not a very walkable city. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Raleigh Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Raleigh or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alexandria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Raleigh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Raleigh 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 Alexandria.

One day in Raleigh or Alexandria?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Raleigh, 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.

In Alexandria, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Raleigh or Alexandria?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Raleigh, 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.

In Alexandria, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alexandria has to offer.

Five days in Raleigh or Alexandria?

Raleigh, 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.

Alexandria is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Raleigh or Alexandria?

Raleigh 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Alexandria?

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

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 Raleigh or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Raleigh is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Alexandria. The autumn months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city's sights and attractions. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In the autumn, Raleigh is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Raleigh in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Raleigh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Raleigh or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Alexandria. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. It's quite cold in Raleigh in the winter. In January, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 40°F (5°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Raleigh is a little warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Raleigh