A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Charlottesville vs. Niagara Falls for Families, Hiking, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls. 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 southern, proud, and traditional university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a breathtaking, impressive, and iconic city. The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Charlottesville and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Niagara Falls than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Niagara Falls is better known for its food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Charlottesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for the large volume of water that flows over it. Also, Niagara Falls is famous for the Journey Behind the Falls. Charlottesville is well known 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 Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Charlottesville is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

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

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

Niagara Falls has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Charlottesville and Niagara Falls.

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 Niagara Falls. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Charlottesville or Niagara Falls Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its old town. However, Niagara Falls does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Charlottesville to see the 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.

Niagara Falls does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls is a great city for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Niagara Falls for the hiking trails. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Niagara Falls. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is a great city for its scenery and beauty. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

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.

Is Charlottesville or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Niagara Falls is very family-friendly. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Niagara Falls is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Niagara Falls is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other 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 Niagara Falls Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Niagara Falls is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

Niagara Falls is not popular with students.

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

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

While Niagara Falls offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system through town.

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 Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

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

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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 Niagara Falls Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Niagara Falls. In our opinion, Niagara Falls has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Niagara Falls than Charlottesville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

One day in Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The breathtaking destination of Niagara Falls offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The city of Niagara Falls offers shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Niagara Falls?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Niagara Falls is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Niagara Falls?

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Niagara Falls. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Niagara Falls, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

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 Charlottesville or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

Both Niagara Falls and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the summer, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Niagara Falls. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlottesville in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during autumn. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Niagara Falls can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 36°F (2°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

In the winter, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in January than Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the natural beauty.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Niagara Falls. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during spring. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Charlottesville