A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Virginia Beach for Resorts, Beaches, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a diverse, vibrant, and fun-filled beach area. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

West Palm Beach and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

Visitors will generally find more to do in West Palm Beach than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. West Palm Beach is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. West Palm Beach is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. It is also well known for Rosemary Square. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is West Palm Beach different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both West Palm Beach and Virginia Beach offer reasonable local cuisine and restaurants.

West Palm Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

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.

Is West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach for the nightlife scene. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

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 West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

West Palm Beach offers an unforgettable resort vacation. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

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.

Is West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to West Palm Beach to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is terrific for the beache. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

The beaches in West Palm Beach are among the best in the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia 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.

Is West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach.

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly beach area. 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.

Is West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

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

West Palm Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Virginia Beach is a good beach area 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 West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is not popular with students.

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

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

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 West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

West Palm Beach is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

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 West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

Both West Palm Beach and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, West Palm Beach has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in West Palm Beach than Virginia Beach. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach.

One day in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The relaxing destination of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

West Palm Beach is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in West Palm Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Virginia Beach, 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 West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach?

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 West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, West Palm Beach is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in West Palm Beach in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during summer. West Palm Beach gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. In July, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and West Palm Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 78°F (25°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. In the autumn, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in October than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. West Palm Beach is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. West Palm Beach gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, West Palm Beach usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Virginia Beach. The spring months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the beaches. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In the spring, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in West Palm Beach in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In the spring, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in April than Virginia Beach. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and West Palm Beach