A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Arlington?

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 Everglades National Park and Arlington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a unique, natural, and wild national park. Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Arlington travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arlington. Although Everglades National Park and Arlington are popular destinations, Arlington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arlington is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Everglades National Park is famous for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also well known for Arlington National Cemetery.

How is Everglades National Park different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is a great city for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Arlington specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.


Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Arlington has something for everybody. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Arlington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Everglades National Park is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Arlington.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Arlington is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.


Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Both Everglades National Park and Arlington are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Everglades National Park is a good national park for couples to visit. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

For backpackers, both Everglades National Park and Arlington are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Students?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

Arlington is very popular with students. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Everglades National Park is not popular with students.


Is Everglades National Park or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Arlington a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Arlington

Arlington is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Everglades National Park or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Everglades National Park 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 Arlington.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Arlington? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Arlington 2-4

One day in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

You'll find around the national park of Everglades National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With food and shopping around the educational city of Arlington, there's plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A weekend in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

You'll find around the pristine destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this national park has to offer. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With shopping and museums around the educational destination of Arlington, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the unique national park of Everglades National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the educational city of Arlington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arlington is a great place to explore. One week 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Arlington Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Arlington $323

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $323. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Arlington? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Arlington


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $54
    Arlington $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Arlington $11

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Arlington $17


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

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Arlington?

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 Everglades National Park or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Arlington. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Everglades National Park in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Arlington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Arlington can be very cold during winter. In January, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 67°F (19°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Everglades National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Everglades National Park is much warmer than Arlington in the spring. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Arlington. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)