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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Providence?

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 Providence. 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 collegiate, southern, and proud 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.

Providence

Providence is a fascinating, active, and friendly city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Providence travel costs.

Charlottesville and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Providence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Charlottesville. Although Charlottesville and Providence are both popular with visitors, Charlottesville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Charlottesville is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Providence is known for its food and shopping. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. It is also home to The University of Virginia Campus. Providence is popular for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Charlottesville different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Providence. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

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

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

Providence has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

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 Providence Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Charlottesville or Providence Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Providence 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.

Providence does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Providence Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Providence?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Providence More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence 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.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Providence Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Providence 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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Charlottesville or Providence Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Providence 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.

Providence is a good university town for couples to visit. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Charlottesville or Providence Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit 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.

Providence is a very popular university town for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

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

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

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA 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 Charlottesville or Providence a more walkable city?

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

Providence is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city and it'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 Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Providence?

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

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

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

One day in Charlottesville or Providence?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The friendly destination of Providence 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 Providence?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

The city of Providence 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 Providence?

Charlottesville, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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 Providence?

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Providence. 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 Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence 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 Providence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Providence, 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 Providence?

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 Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Providence. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.

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

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Charlottesville or Providence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Providence. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is much warmer than Providence in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

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

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

Should I visit Charlottesville or Providence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Providence. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Providence. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Providence and Charlottesville