A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Shenandoah National Park for Families, Backpackers, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Orlando

Orlando is a active, family-friendly, and entertaining city. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and food. See Orlando travel costs.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a scenic, breathtaking, and serene national park. Shenandoah National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include skiing and hiking. See Shenandoah National Park travel costs.

Orlando and Shenandoah National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Orlando than Shenandoah National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Orlando is better known for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Shenandoah National Park is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Orlando is more touristy than Shenandoah National Park and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is famous for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Shenandoah National Park is well known for its local wildlife, dramatic viewpoints, and world class hiking trails.

How is Orlando different from Shenandoah National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Skiing?

Shenandoah National Park is a popular place for skiing. However, Orlando is not a skiing destination.

Shenandoah National Park is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. You'll find skiing and snowboarding at nearby Massanutten Resort, which is near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's a family-friendly setting with slopes that are classified as "easiest", "more difficult", and "most difficult".

Orlando is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

Shenandoah National Park is adequate for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Shenandoah National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people spend their time outdoors enjoying the setting, there are museums in the area, as well as visitor centers that have exhibits and informative displays.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Theater?

Orlando is a city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Orlando, take in a show. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Shenandoah National Park is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orlando is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Orlando has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Shenandoah National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are several restaurants along skyline drive where you can pick up a casual meal like fried chicken, burgers, or pasta.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Nightlife?

Orlando is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Most people don't head to Shenandoah National Park specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a number of breweries in the area, but most people enjoy stargazing and sitting by the campfire at night.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Resorts?

Orlando is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a resort destination.

Orlando is a world class resort vacation destination. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Shenandoah National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Hiking?

Shenandoah National Park is renowned for hiking. However, Orlando is not a hiking destination.

People visit Shenandoah National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are more than 500 miles of trails in the park that pass through varied landscapes and take you to beautiful viewpoints. Visitors range from weekend visitors to long term hikers who come to experience the breathtaking beauty and serene setting.

Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

Orlando is great for its shopping areas. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Shenandoah National Park is a good destination for shopping. There are a handful of gift shops along Skyline Drive were you can pick up souvenirs or t-shirts.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park More Beautiful?

Shenandoah National Park is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Shenandoah National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Skyline drive passes by breathtaking views and wonderful lookout points. There are also miles of trails that let you explore the natural beauty of the area.

Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Families?

Orlando is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Shenandoah National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

Orlando is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

Shenandoah National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are tons of kid-friendly hikes to overlooks or waterfalls. Kids will love scrambling over the rocks or running through the forest. There are also plenty of campgrounds where families can hang out, toast marshmallows and enjoy some quality time together.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Couples?

Shenandoah National Park is great for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Shenandoah National Park is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy nature will love a visit to the park. There are beautiful views and scenic spots that will make for a wonderful and romantic trip. Hiking, biking, and exploring will fill your time with adventure and fun.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shenandoah National Park is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Shenandoah National Park. Backpackers love the hiking trails and backcountry camping. Many people head to the park to escape into nature and enjoy some low key time in a serene setting.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park Better for Students?

Orlando is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Shenandoah National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Shenandoah National Park is not popular with students.

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

Orlando is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Shenandoah National Park. There's no real public transit in the park.

Is Orlando or Shenandoah National Park a more walkable city?

Neither Orlando or Shenandoah National Park are walkable places.

Orlando is not a very walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

Shenandoah National Park is not a walkable city. While there are plenty of hiking trails, a car is a must to reach most trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Shenandoah National Park or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

In either Orlando or Shenandoah National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than Orlando because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 3-5 days is enough time in Shenandoah National Park.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than Orlando 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 Shenandoah National Park.

One day in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

With food and shopping around the entertaining city of Orlando, there's plenty to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find skiing. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

With shopping and theater around the entertaining destination of Orlando, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the family-friendly city of Orlando. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Shenandoah National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shenandoah National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

Orlando is a great place to explore. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shenandoah National Park. Many people enjoy the skiing when visiting Shenandoah National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park?

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 Orlando or Shenandoah National Park in the Summer?

Both Shenandoah National Park and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Orlando in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Shenandoah National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Orlando is generally a little warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 82°F (28°C), and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Orlando. In July, Orlando usually receives more rain than Shenandoah National Park. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shenandoah National Park and Orlando during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Orlando for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Orlando is much warmer than Shenandoah National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than Shenandoah National Park. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Shenandoah National Park. The winter months attract visitors to Orlando because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shenandoah National Park in the winter. In the winter, Orlando is much warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orlando in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Shenandoah National Park averages at about 32°F (-0°C).

In January, Orlando usually receives less rain than Shenandoah National Park. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orlando or Shenandoah National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Shenandoah National Park. Also, many travelers come to Shenandoah National Park for the natural beauty.

In April, Orlando is generally much warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 72°F (22°C), and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Orlando usually gets less rain in April than Shenandoah National Park. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shenandoah National Park and Orlando