A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Williamsburg vs. Cleveland for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Williamsburg or Cleveland?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Cleveland. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Williamsburg than Cleveland, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Williamsburg is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cleveland is more popular for its nightlife and music. Williamsburg is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Also, Williamsburg is famous for Colonial Williamsburg. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Williamsburg different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Williamsburg or Cleveland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Is the Food Better in Williamsburg or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Williamsburg. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Cleveland is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great destination for its music scene. However, Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. However, Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Cleveland.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Williamsburg or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Williamsburg and Cleveland both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

Cleveland is generally not a very walkable town. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Cleveland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Cleveland. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg than Cleveland 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Williamsburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Cleveland, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this authentic city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Cleveland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming town of Williamsburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Cleveland. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Williamsburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Cleveland is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Cleveland, we can see that Cleveland is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Cleveland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cleveland than you might in Williamsburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Cleveland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Cleveland, 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 Williamsburg or Cleveland?

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 Williamsburg or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Cleveland. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cleveland. Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Williamsburg is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Williamsburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cleveland in the winter. The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. Williamsburg is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Cleveland. The natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the spring, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cleveland. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Williamsburg