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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Seattle, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Virginia Beach and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than Virginia Beach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts. Seattle is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle 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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Virginia Beach is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Virginia Beach is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Seattle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Seattle for the nightlife scene. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is great for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle draws a good crowd. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Both Virginia Beach and Seattle have good beaches worth visiting.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Seattle?

Seattle 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Families?

Virginia Beach is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly coastal city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach and Seattle are both good 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.

Seattle is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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 Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Seattle?

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

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

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

One day in Virginia Beach or Seattle?

In Virginia Beach, you'll find nightlife. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Seattle?

In Virginia Beach, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. In Virginia Beach, you'll find nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of Seattle. 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. In the summer, Virginia Beach often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Seattle. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Seattle. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is cooler than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Seattle. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Virginia Beach