A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Arlington for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Key Largo or Arlington?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Arlington can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo 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.

Key Largo and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Arlington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arlington. Although Key Largo 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 Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. 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 Key Largo different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key Largo or Arlington?

Arlington is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key Largo or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is great for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Arlington for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Key Largo to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

Key Largo has a beach worth visiting. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Arlington?

Arlington is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Families?

Key Largo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. 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 Key Largo or Arlington Better for Couples?

Both Key Largo and Arlington are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Key Largo is a good island for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

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 Key Largo or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

Is Key Largo or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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 Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Key Largo or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Key Largo Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Key Largo or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Key Largo due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

Couples should spend more time in Arlington than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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.

One day in Key Largo or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling around the island of Key Largo. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Arlington. 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.

A weekend in Key Largo or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful destination of Key Largo. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the educational destination of Arlington. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Key Largo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Arlington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Key Largo or Arlington?

Key Largo is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Key Largo, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key Largo and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Key Largo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Key Largo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Key Largo 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 Key Largo.

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

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo and Arlington, 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Arlington. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Arlington because of the family-friendly experiences.

Key Largo is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Key Largo 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 Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during summer. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Key Largo or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Arlington. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

In the autumn, Key Largo is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key Largo 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 Key Largo this time of the year. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Arlington. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. In January, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Key Largo 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 Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Key Largo or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Key Largo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches.

Key Largo is much warmer than Arlington in the spring. The daily temperature in Key Largo 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 Key Largo. In the spring, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets more rain in April than Arlington. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Key Largo