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

Should you visit Baltimore or Williamsburg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Williamsburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, historic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Baltimore travel costs.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a quaint, well-preserved, and historic town. Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Baltimore and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore. Although Baltimore and Williamsburg are both popular with visitors, Baltimore has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Baltimore is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Williamsburg is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Baltimore is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Williamsburg is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Baltimore different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Baltimore and Williamsburg.

Many visitors head to Baltimore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Williamsburg can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Baltimore and Williamsburg both to be high quality destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Baltimore know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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 Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Williamsburg is revered around the world. 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.

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Williamsburg and Baltimore.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

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.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Williamsburg is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Baltimore is not a destination known for its beauty.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Baltimore is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. 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 family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Williamsburg. 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is a great destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Is Baltimore or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Baltimore or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Williamsburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Baltimore, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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

One day in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

In Baltimore, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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.

A weekend in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

Baltimore 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.

You'll find museums and food around the historic 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.

Five days in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Baltimore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the well-preserved 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.

A week in Baltimore or Williamsburg?

Baltimore 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Williamsburg?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and Williamsburg, 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 Baltimore or Williamsburg?

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 Baltimore or Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July average around 78°F (25°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during summer. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. It's quite rainy in Baltimore. In July, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baltimore or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Baltimore during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Baltimore is generally cooler than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Williamsburg. The winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. Baltimore is much colder than Williamsburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 32°F (0°C) in January, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baltimore or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Williamsburg. The activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Baltimore is cooler than Williamsburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In the spring, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Williamsburg. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Baltimore