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

Should you visit Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Pittsburgh? 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.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a under-rated, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pittsburgh. Although Raleigh and Pittsburgh are roughly the same size, Pittsburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Raleigh is famous for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University. Pittsburgh is famous for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". It is also well known for Mount Washington.

How is Raleigh different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pittsburgh offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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 Pittsburgh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Raleigh and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Raleigh or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Pittsburgh is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Pittsburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

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

Many visitors go to Pittsburgh to go shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Raleigh or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Raleigh or Pittsburgh.

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.

Pittsburgh offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Raleigh or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Raleigh or Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Raleigh or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Raleigh is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Pittsburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

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 Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Pittsburgh is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.

Pittsburgh is a somewhat walkable city. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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 Pittsburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Raleigh and Pittsburgh. In our opinion, Pittsburgh has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pittsburgh than Raleigh. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

With museums and nightlife around the suburban-style 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 Pittsburgh, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh, you'll find food 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 Pittsburgh has to offer.

Five days in Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

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.

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pittsburgh. 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 comparing the travel costs between Raleigh and Pittsburgh, we can see that Raleigh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Pittsburgh, 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.