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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Lancaster, 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 fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a traditional, picturesque, and scenic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Virginia Beach and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lancaster than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Lancaster, Lancaster has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lancaster is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach is known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Lancaster is popular for its history and long running Amish community. It is also home to Bird-in-Hand Village.

How is Virginia Beach different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lancaster can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lancaster 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.

Lancaster has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

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 Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Virginia Beach or Lancaster Better for Resorts?

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

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. 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.

Lancaster is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Lancaster Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

Lancaster is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lancaster is well-known for its shopping. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Lancaster Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Lancaster are both superb 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.

Lancaster is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is Virginia Beach or Lancaster Better for Couples?

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

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lancaster is not popular with students.

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.

Lancaster is not popular with students.

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

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

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 Lancaster a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach and Lancaster are decent 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.

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

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

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

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

One day in Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster, you'll find food and shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing 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.

Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

You'll find nightlife around the bustling 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster 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 Lancaster would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lancaster 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 Lancaster Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Lancaster?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Virginia Beach or Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is around the same temperature as Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during summer. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. In July, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Lancaster in the Autumn?

Both Lancaster and Virginia Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lancaster for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. In the autumn, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Lancaster. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lancaster can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is much warmer than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Lancaster in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Lancaster. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Lancaster for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In the spring, Virginia Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in April than Lancaster. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Virginia Beach