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

Should you visit Tampa or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Dallas? 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. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Dallas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dallas than Tampa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dallas is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Tampa different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Tampa or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Dallas has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

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 Dallas Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a well-known place for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Dallas?

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Dallas Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Dallas.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. 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.

Dallas is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tampa or Dallas Better for Couples?

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

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

Dallas is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

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.

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 Dallas a more walkable city?

Tampa and Dallas 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Dallas?

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dallas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this upscale destination offers. This city 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 Dallas?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. 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 Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Dallas. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the low-key destination of Tampa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the chic destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa or Dallas?

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 Tampa or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Dallas. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Tampa is a little warmer than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Dallas. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Dallas. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Dallas. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

In April, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Dallas. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Tampa