A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Venice vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Venice or New York City?

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 Venice and New York City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Venice

Venice is a beautiful, romantic, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New York City

New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Venice and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Venice or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Venice. New York City is bigger than Venice, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Venice is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is well known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. New York City is well known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty.

How is Venice different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Venice or New York City?

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both New York City and Venice.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Venice has many famous sights for visitors. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is a world-class destination for its shows and theatre. However, Venice is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in New York City is world-class. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Venice is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Venice or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

New York City has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

People head to New York City just to party. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Venice is not a live music destination.

New York City has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Venice is not a live music destination.

Is Venice or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Venice can be explored in its historical center. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Venice or New York City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Venice and New York City both offer plenty of first-rate spots.

Many people travel to Venice specifically to go shopping. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

New York City is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Venice does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, New York City is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Venice does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Venice does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City offers plenty of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Venice does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Venice or New York City.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Venice. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

New York City is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Couples?

Both Venice and New York City are first-rate destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Venice has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

New York City has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Venice and New York City are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Backpackers come from all over to visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Students?

For students, both Venice and New York City are first-rate places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Venice. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

New York City is a great destination for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Is Venice or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Venice and New York City both offer first-rate public transit to get you around.

With a huge network, the transit system in Venice can get you around easily. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

Visitors in New York City can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Venice or New York City a more walkable city?

Venice and New York City are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

Venice is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

For even more information, also check out Is Venice Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Venice?

How long in Venice or New York City?

Both Venice and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Venice. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Venice, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Venice 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 New York City.

One day in Venice or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural destination of Venice. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

New York City 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.

A weekend in Venice or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Venice. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City 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.

Five days in Venice or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Venice. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. 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.

A week in Venice or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful city of Venice. Visiting the old town is also a must. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York City 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Venice or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Venice and New York City, 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 Venice or New York City?

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 Venice or New York City in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Venice is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Venice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Venice usually receives less rain than New York City. Venice gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Venice or New York City in the Autumn?

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

In October, Venice is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Venice average around 14°C (57°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Venice usually gets less rain in October than New York City. Venice gets 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Venice or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Venice are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Venice because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

It's quite cold in New York City in the winter. The weather in Venice can be very cold. Venice is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Venice averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

In January, Venice usually receives less rain than New York City. Venice gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Venice or New York City in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Venice is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Venice in April average around 13°C (55°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Venice usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Venice gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New York City and Venice