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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Seattle?

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 Seattle. 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a progressive, cultural, and outdoorsy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Seattle is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the theater, nightlife, and live music. See Seattle travel costs.

Charlottesville and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle. Although Charlottesville and Seattle are both popular with visitors, Seattle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Seattle is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Seattle is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. 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 Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle is a great city 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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

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 Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Charlottesville is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Charlottesville is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Seattle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Seattle has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. 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.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a great city for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Seattle has a thriving music scene. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a good destination for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Seattle offers a nice beach destination. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

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 Seattle?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle More Beautiful?

Charlottesville and Seattle 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.

Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly place to visit. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a good university town for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Charlottesville or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle Better for Students?

Charlottesville is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

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

While Seattle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and 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 Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Seattle?

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

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

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

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

One day in Charlottesville or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

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 live music and food when visiting Seattle. 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 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, 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 Seattle. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Seattle. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Seattle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Seattle. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Seattle. The winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. Charlottesville is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Charlottesville usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Seattle. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Charlottesville