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

Should you visit Williamsburg or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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 well-preserved, historic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Williamsburg and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Phoenix?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Williamsburg and Phoenix are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Williamsburg is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Williamsburg different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Williamsburg is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Williamsburg is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

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

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

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 Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Williamsburg offers plenty to see. 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Phoenix?

Williamsburg is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is a great town for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a very popular town 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix 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 Phoenix.

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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Williamsburg or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Williamsburg and Phoenix both are reasonable 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.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable town. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Phoenix?

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

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Williamsburg, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Phoenix, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this laid back 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 Phoenix?

In Williamsburg, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Williamsburg has to offer.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Williamsburg. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Williamsburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Williamsburg is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In the autumn, Williamsburg is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Phoenix in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. In January, Williamsburg is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

Williamsburg is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Williamsburg