A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Richmond vs. Vernon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Richmond or Vernon?

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 Richmond and Vernon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Richmond

Richmond is a friendly, historical, and growing city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Richmond travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Richmond and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Richmond or Vernon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vernon. Although Richmond and Vernon are popular destinations, Vernon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vernon is very popular for its hiking, while Richmond attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Richmond is famous for its cultural and historical sights. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. It is also well known for Davison Orchards Country Village.

How is Richmond different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Richmond or Vernon?

Richmond is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Richmond can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Richmond or Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Richmond and Vernon both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Richmond area. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Richmond is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Richmond or Vernon?

Both Richmond and Vernon are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Richmond to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Richmond or Vernon.

Richmond is a family-friendly place to visit. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Couples?

Both Richmond and Vernon are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Richmond is a good city for couples to visit. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Students?

Richmond is a nice place to visit for students. However, Vernon is not popular with students.

Richmond is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Vernon is not popular with students.

Is Richmond or Vernon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Richmond and Vernon offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Richmond or Vernon a more walkable city?

Richmond is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

Richmond is a somewhat walkable city. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is Richmond Worth Visiting? and Is Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Richmond?

How long in Richmond or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Richmond and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vernon than in Richmond. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Richmond, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Richmond than Vernon 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 Richmond.

One day in Richmond or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Richmond. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Richmond or Vernon?

Richmond is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vernon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Richmond or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Richmond. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Richmond or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the growing destination of Richmond. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Richmond or Vernon?

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

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 Richmond or Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Richmond this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Richmond is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Richmond. In July, Richmond usually receives more rain than Vernon. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Richmond or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Richmond during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Richmond for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vernon in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Richmond is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Richmond in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Richmond usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Richmond or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Vernon. Many visitors come to Richmond in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vernon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Vernon can be very cold during winter. Richmond can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Richmond is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 36°F (2°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Richmond usually receives more rain than Vernon. Richmond gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Richmond or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Vernon.

Richmond is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Richmond usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Richmond