A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dallas vs. Toronto for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dallas or Toronto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Dallas travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Dallas and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Dallas. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Dallas different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto and Dallas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dallas or Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Is the Food Better in Dallas or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Dallas and Toronto.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Toronto has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Dallas or Toronto.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toronto. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Toronto are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

Is Dallas or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toronto is renowned for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Dallas or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Toronto?

Both Dallas and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Dallas. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Dallas 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 Toronto.

One day in Dallas or Toronto?

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Toronto?

In Dallas, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Dallas has to offer.

Toronto is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dallas or Toronto?

Dallas 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dallas or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dallas and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto than you might in Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Toronto, 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 Dallas or Toronto?

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 Dallas or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Dallas during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 88°F (31°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the summer, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Toronto. Many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Dallas is much warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Toronto. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dallas or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Toronto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Toronto can be very cold. In the winter, Dallas is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dallas in January average around 46°F (8°C), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In April, Dallas is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 68°F (20°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Toronto. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Dallas