A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Newport for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Charlottesville or Newport?

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 Newport. 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 proud, traditional, and young university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. 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.

Newport

Newport is a charming, coastal, and seaside town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Newport is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Newport travel costs.

Charlottesville and Newport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Newport?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Newport. Although Charlottesville and Newport are both popular with visitors, Newport has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Newport is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Newport is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its sailing regattas, its mansions along Bellevue Avenue, and its maritime history. It is also home to Thames Street. 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 Charlottesville different from Newport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Newport is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Newport. The historic mansions and local museums educate visitors on the town's maritime past and colonial roots. Some of the more popular places to visit include The Breakers, The Elms Mansion, The Marble House, and Chateau-sur-mer Mansion.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville or Newport? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newport is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Newport has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Find a waterfront restaurant and enjoy fresh seafood and a charming atmosphere. Many restaurants are influenced by the town's Portuguese and Irish roots. You'll find classic pubs as well as brunch cafes and traditional taverns.

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 Newport Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Newport. There's a lively atmosphere in the evening with many pubs, taverns, and bars that keep the energy high.

Is Charlottesville or Newport Better for Beaches?

Newport is a great town for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Newport for it's beautiful beaches. Tucked in along the rocky coastline are many beautiful sandy beaches. You'll find popular and active beaches where you can lounge in a chair and people watch, as well as more secluded spots where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. The largest beach is Easton's Beach (also known as First Beach). Surfers and boaters enjoy Sachuest Beach (or Second Beach), and a less popular, but very rewarding beach is also King Park Beach.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Newport Better for its Old Town?

Newport is a great town for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Newport. The Historic District is filled with colonial buildings and impressive mansions. There are cobblestone streets and a charming loop through the town's Old Quarter.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is Charlottesville or Newport Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for its hiking trails. However, Newport 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.

Newport is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Newport?

Newport is a great town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Newport is well-known for its shopping. Walk along the charming cobblestone streets and pop in the many local boutiques and shops.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Newport More Beautiful?

Charlottesville and Newport are somewhat similar when it comes to the good scenery.

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

Newport offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The coastal setting and charming architecture give it a lot of character.

Is Charlottesville or Newport Better for Families?

Newport is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Newport is very family-friendly. For an educational and interactive experience, head to Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium. The Norman Bird Sanctuary also has a lot of land and places to explore. Kids will enjoy a visit to the beach or running around Breton Point State Park as well. On a rainy day, Ryans Family Amusements is the perfect way to pass some time.

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 Charlottesville or Newport Better for Couples?

Newport is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Newport is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a coastal town with a lot of charm that makes for a perfect romantic escape. Enjoy dining and shopping along Thames Street or take a walk along the coast. There are many local restaurants and evening activities for couples as well.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. 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 Charlottesville or Newport Better for Students?

Charlottesville is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Newport is not popular with 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.

Newport is not popular with students.

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

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

While Newport offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses operated by RIPTA. You can visit most of the attractions in the downtown area by catching a ride on one of the classic green and gold hybrid trolley buses.

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 Newport a more walkable city?

Newport is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Newport is a very walkable town. The town's downtown are compact and fun to explore on foot. There is a nice concentration of shops, restaurants, hotels and sights.

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 Newport Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newport or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Newport?

In either Charlottesville or Newport, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Newport than Charlottesville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 2-5 days is enough time in Newport.

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

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

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

One day in Charlottesville or Newport?

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 coastal destination of Newport offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Newport?

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 town of Newport offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Newport?

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.

Newport is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Charlottesville or Newport?

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 Newport. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Charlottesville and Newport, we can see that Newport is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Newport?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Newport. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Newport, 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 Newport?

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 Newport in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Newport. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Newport in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Newport. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Newport averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newport this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newport during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 293 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 Newport. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Newport in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Newport. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Newport for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Newport fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newport. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 211 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Newport. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Newport in the Winter?

Both Newport and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Newport because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Newport can be very cold. Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville is much warmer than Newport in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Newport fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newport during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Charlottesville or Newport in the Spring?

Both Newport and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Newport this time of year.

In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Newport. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Newport averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In Newport, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Newport. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 225 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Newport. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Newport and Charlottesville