A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Charlottesville vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlottesville or Halifax?

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 Charlottesville and Halifax. 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a historical, friendly, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Halifax travel costs.

Charlottesville and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Halifax?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlottesville. Although Charlottesville and Halifax are popular destinations, Charlottesville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlottesville is very popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Halifax attracts visitors for its food and shopping. Halifax is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its maritime past. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. It is also well known for The University of Virginia Campus.

How is Charlottesville different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Charlottesville and Halifax.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Halifax. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

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

Halifax has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

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 Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Charlottesville and Halifax.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Halifax does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Halifax does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Halifax?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Halifax are nice family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. 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.

Halifax is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Halifax both nice destinations for a couple.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Halifax is a good university town for couples to visit. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Halifax Better for Students?

Charlottesville is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

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

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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

Is Charlottesville or Halifax a more walkable city?

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

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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 Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Halifax Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Halifax. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Halifax 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 Halifax.

One day in Charlottesville or Halifax?

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The friendly destination of Halifax offers nightlife and food. 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 Charlottesville or Halifax?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charlottesville has to offer.

The city of Halifax 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.

Five days in Charlottesville or Halifax?

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. 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.

Halifax 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.

A week in Charlottesville or Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Halifax. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Halifax, 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 Charlottesville or Halifax?

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 Charlottesville or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Halifax. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Halifax for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Halifax. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Halifax because of the shopping scene.

Charlottesville is much warmer than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Charlottesville usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In the winter, Charlottesville is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. In April, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Charlottesville