A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Colorado Springs for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a healthy, welcoming, and friendly mountain town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Colorado Springs. Although Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs are popular destinations, Colorado Springs has more sights and attractions for tourists. Colorado Springs is very popular for its skiing, museums, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views. It is also well known for Pikes Peak.

How is Virginia Beach different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is adequate for skiing. However, Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Colorado Springs. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is very good for its resorts. However, Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is very good for its beaches. However, Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Virginia Beach to enjoy the beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is terrific for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Colorado Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Colorado Springs is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs are both nice to visit as a couple.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Colorado Springs is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

For students, both Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Colorado Springs is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Colorado Springs is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Colorado Springs. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Virginia Beach 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

You'll find nightlife around the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

You'll find nightlife around the fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the mountain town of Colorado Springs. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs, 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 Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs?

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 Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Colorado Springs. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Colorado Springs. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

Both Colorado Springs and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

Virginia Beach is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

Both Colorado Springs and Virginia Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Colorado Springs. It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In the winter, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Colorado Springs. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Colorado Springs. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Virginia Beach