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

Should you visit Raleigh or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Raleigh 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.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a friendly, southern, and student-friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Raleigh or Cleveland?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Raleigh than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Raleigh, Raleigh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Raleigh is better known for its food and big city activities, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums, music, and shopping. Raleigh is well known for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University. Also, Raleigh is famous for North Carolina State University. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Raleigh different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

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 Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Raleigh is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Raleigh. 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.

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 Raleigh or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Cleveland has a few options to choose from. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Raleigh or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is well known for its music scene. However, Raleigh is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Cleveland. 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.

Raleigh is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Cleveland?

Cleveland is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Cleveland to go shopping. 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.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Raleigh or Cleveland Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Raleigh or Cleveland.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Raleigh. 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.

Cleveland offers lots of family activities. 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 Raleigh or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Raleigh or Cleveland as a couple's destination.

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

Cleveland is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Raleigh or Cleveland Better for Students?

Raleigh is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Raleigh is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Cleveland is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

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 Cleveland a more walkable city?

Raleigh and Cleveland both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Raleigh and Cleveland. In our opinion, Cleveland has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cleveland than Raleigh. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Raleigh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

One day in Raleigh or Cleveland?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Raleigh. 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 Raleigh or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the southern destination of Raleigh. 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.

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 Raleigh or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the southern city of Raleigh. 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.

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 Raleigh or Cleveland?

Raleigh 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.

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 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 Cleveland, we can see that Raleigh 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 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 Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Cleveland. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Raleigh is around the same temperature as Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cleveland. Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Raleigh is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Raleigh or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Raleigh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the museums 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. Raleigh can be very cold during winter. Raleigh is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets more rain in January than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Cleveland. The spring months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Raleigh is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Raleigh