A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Arlington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint Petersburg and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Saint Petersburg than Arlington. Saint Petersburg is bigger than Arlington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Saint Petersburg is better known for its resorts and beaches, while Arlington is more popular for its nightlife. Saint Petersburg is well known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Saint Petersburg or Arlington.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Petersburg and Arlington.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Petersburg. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arlington. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is great for nightlife. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Arlington for the nightlife scene. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Saint Petersburg are among the best in the world. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Arlington both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Arlington offers some nice shopping areas. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Petersburg. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Petersburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Arlington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Saint Petersburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but budget travelers will appreciate the affordable accommodation around town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Arlington is very popular with students. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Arlington can take you anywhere. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Is Saint Petersburg or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is great for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Petersburg or Arlington. In our opinion, Arlington has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Arlington than Saint Petersburg. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Saint Petersburg 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 Arlington.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the international destination of Arlington. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and museums around the international city of Arlington. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Saint Petersburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

Saint Petersburg is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Arlington is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Arlington, 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 Saint Petersburg or Arlington?

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 Saint Petersburg or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Arlington. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Arlington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches during these months.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Arlington. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Saint Petersburg