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

Should you visit Charlotte or Charlottesville?

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 Charlotte and Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a growing, evolving, and up-and-coming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Charlotte travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a proud, traditional, and young university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Charlotte and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Charlotte. Although Charlotte and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Charlotte has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Charlotte is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Charlotte is popular for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlotte different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Charlottesville and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charlotte is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Charlotte has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Charlotte and Charlottesville.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for hiking. However, Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Charlottesville. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Charlotte is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Charlotte. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Charlotte or Charlottesville.

Charlotte offers lots of family activities. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Both Charlotte and Charlottesville are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Charlotte is a good city to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlotte is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Charlotte or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable place. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Charlottesville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Charlottesville than Charlotte. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte than Charlottesville 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 Charlotte.

One day in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

The evolving destination of Charlotte offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Charlotte or Charlottesville?

The city of Charlotte offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Charlotte is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Charlotte. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Charlottesville?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Charlottesville, 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 Charlotte or Charlottesville?

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 Charlotte or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 81°F (27°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. It's quite rainy in Charlotte. In July, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlotte or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Charlotte during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Charlottesville in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Charlottesville in the winter. In the winter, Charlotte is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlotte in January average around 42°F (6°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlotte or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Charlottesville. The activities around the city are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the spring, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in April than Charlottesville. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Charlotte