A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Charlottesville for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Charlottesville? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Tampa and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tampa. Although Tampa and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Tampa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tampa is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also home to Busch Gardens. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Tampa different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tampa is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tampa has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a great city for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Tampa for it's beautiful beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Tampa is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tampa is very family-friendly. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Charlottesville is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Tampa is not popular with students.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Tampa and Charlottesville are decent when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Charlottesville?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlottesville than Tampa 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 Charlottesville.

One day in Tampa or Charlottesville?

The laid-back destination of Tampa offers food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or Charlottesville?

The city of Tampa offers food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Charlottesville?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a fun place to experience. Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Charlottesville?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Charlottesville, 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 Tampa or Charlottesville?

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 Tampa or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampa or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Charlottesville. The autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Tampa is much warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the autumn, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampa usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampa or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Tampa is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Charlottesville. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Tampa