A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rome vs. Dallas for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rome or Dallas?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Dallas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Rome

Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale 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.

Rome and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Dallas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Dallas, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rome or Dallas?

Rome is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rome are among the most recognizable in the world. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Rome 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.

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Rome 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.

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome or Dallas Better for Music?

Rome 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 Rome Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Dallas?

Rome 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 Rome make it a world-class shopping destination. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome or Dallas Better for Families?

Both Rome and Dallas are superb to visit with kids.

Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Dallas is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Rome or Dallas Better for Couples?

Both Rome and Dallas are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Dallas is a great 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 Rome or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is renowned for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome or Dallas Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over the world to visit Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

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

Rome is renowned for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Dallas has some public transit options. 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 Rome or Dallas a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Rome?

How long in Rome or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Rome or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rome due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

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

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

One day in Rome or Dallas?

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dallas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Rome or Dallas?

Rome 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.

Dallas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Rome or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the chic destination of Dallas. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rome or Dallas?

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The active city of Dallas offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Dallas, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome is in Europe and Dallas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rome or Dallas?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome 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 Rome or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Dallas. Many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Rome is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during summer. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Dallas. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rome or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rome as well as Dallas. Most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Rome is cooler than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. In the autumn, Rome often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dallas. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In the winter, Rome is around the same temperature as Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Rome usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rome usually receives more rain than Dallas. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rome or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Rome during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In April, Rome is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the spring, Rome often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Rome