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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Denver?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Denver, 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 bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Denver

Denver is a accessible, sprawling, and park-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Virginia Beach and Denver: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit


Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Denver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Denver than Virginia Beach. Denver is bigger than Virginia Beach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Denver is better known for its skiing, museums, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Denver and is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area. Also, Denver is famous for Red Rocks Park.

How is Virginia Beach different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Skiing?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Denver is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.


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

Virginia Beach
Denver

Denver is adequate for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Virginia Beach
Denver

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Virginia Beach and Denver.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. 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.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach
Denver

The vibe at night is notable in both Virginia Beach and Denver.

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 Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.


Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Denver is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Denver is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Denver is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Denver is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Hiking?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Denver is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Denver has hiking trails worth exploring. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Denver?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Denver is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Denver. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Families?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Virginia Beach is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly coastal city. 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.

Denver is a family-friendly coastal city. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Virginia Beach and Denver are both notable 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.

Denver is a good coastal city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.


Is Virginia Beach or Denver Better for Students?

Virginia Beach
Denver

For students, both Virginia Beach and Denver are notable 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.

Denver is a good coastal city to visit for students. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

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

Virginia Beach
Denver

Denver is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Denver offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

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

Is Virginia Beach or Denver a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach
Denver

Virginia Beach is a moderate coastal city for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Denver is not a very walkable coastal city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.


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

Should I spend more time in Denver or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Denver?

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

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

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

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


  • How many days in Virginia Beach or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Virginia Beach 5-7 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Virginia Beach or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Denver, you'll find skiing and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Denver?

Virginia Beach 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.

Denver is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denver. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Virginia Beach or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal 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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the city of Denver. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denver or Virginia Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Virginia Beach is $126, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Virginia Beach and Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Virginia Beach $71
    Denver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Virginia Beach $142
    Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Virginia Beach and Denver

Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach or Denver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Virginia Beach


Hotels in Denver


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices and Denver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Virginia Beach $39
    Denver $101
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Denver Airport Transfer To/From Aspen for 6-14 Sprinter Van: $1,950
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Snowmass/Aspen - Arrival Private Transfer: $297
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $286
  • Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $256
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer : $240
  • Denver Airport (BJC) to Beaver Creek Ski Resort -Arrival Transfer: $220
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer : $220
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer: $195
  • Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by SUV: $177
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $176
  • Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car: $155
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Denver Int. Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $144

Is it cheaper to fly into Virginia Beach or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver and Virginia Beach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Virginia Beach $30
    Denver $42

Typical Food Prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.

  • Denver : Paella Cooking Class With Local Chef: $55
  • Denver : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Chef Kevin: $55
  • RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
  • Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Virginia Beach $21
    Denver $52

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
  • Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach: $75
  • Kayak Dolphin Experience in Virginia Beach: $75

Tours and Activities in Denver

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:

  • Shared Golden's History Wagon Ride Tour in Colorado: $65
  • Small-Group Cocktail Tour in Denver: $99
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
  • 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $28
  • 3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour: $99
  • Best of Denver Tour: $27
  • Best of Denver Tour: $64
  • Bike and Brew Tour: $79
  • Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver: $129
  • Cheesman Park Ghost Tour: $28
  • Combo: Best of Denver Tour/Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour: $41
  • Craft Beer Tour in Lower Downtown Denver: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Virginia Beach $11
    Denver $5.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden: $65
  • Craft Distillery Bus Tour: $71
  • Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
  • Guided Downtown Denver Walking Wine Tour: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Virginia Beach and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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 Denver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Denver, 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.