A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Portland, Maine for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine. 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Charlottesville and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Portland, Maine. Although Charlottesville and Portland, Maine are both popular with visitors, Portland, Maine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Portland, Maine is more popular for its food, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Charlottesville is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also home to The Portland Head Light. 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 Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Portland, Maine has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

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 Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a great coastal town for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Portland, Maine for it's beautiful beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Portland, Maine does not have a historic old town.

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.

Portland, Maine does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Charlottesville and Portland, Maine, and they are good.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a great coastal town 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 Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

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 Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Portland, Maine are good 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.

Portland, Maine is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Portland, Maine both good 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.

Portland, Maine is a good university town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville is a university town with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Charlottesville or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Portland, Maine are decent when it comes to walkability.

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

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlottesville than Portland, Maine 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 Charlottesville.

One day in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

The laid-back destination of Portland, Maine offers food and shopping. 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 Portland, Maine?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do 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.

The coastal town of Portland, Maine offers shopping and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Portland, Maine?

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

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Portland, Maine. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine 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 Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Portland, Maine. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the summer, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during autumn. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Charlottesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. Charlottesville is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Portland, Maine. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during spring. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Charlottesville