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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Ketchikan, 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.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a scenic, quaint, and local 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, food, and hiking.

Virginia Beach and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ketchikan. Although Virginia Beach and Ketchikan are popular destinations, Ketchikan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ketchikan is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ketchikan is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. It is also well known for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ketchikan is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Ketchikan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is very good for its resorts. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is very good for its beaches. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Ketchikan draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Ketchikan is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Ketchikan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Ketchikan Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is very good for students. However, Ketchikan is not popular with students.

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

Ketchikan is not popular with students.

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

Ketchikan is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

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 Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Ketchikan is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Ketchikan is a very walkable town. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Ketchikan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Ketchikan. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ketchikan.

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

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

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

One day in Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

You'll find nightlife around the coastal city of Virginia Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Ketchikan, you'll find food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

You'll find nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Virginia Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ketchikan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Ketchikan?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the town of Ketchikan. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 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 Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Ketchikan?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Ketchikan. The autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

Virginia Beach is much warmer than Ketchikan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Ketchikan. The cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ketchikan. It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In the winter, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Virginia Beach