A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Columbia River Gorge for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. Virginia Beach is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a natural, beautiful, and scenic region. The beauty of Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Columbia River Gorge. Although Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge are popular destinations, Columbia River Gorge has more sights and attractions for tourists. Columbia River Gorge is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Columbia River Gorge is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. It is also well known for Vista House at Crown Point. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge and Virginia Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge is adequate for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Columbia River Gorge has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

Columbia River Gorge is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Columbia River Gorge is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Columbia River Gorge is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Columbia River Gorge is a great region if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Columbia River Gorge. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for students. However, Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia River Gorge is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach is a moderate coastal city for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable coastal city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than Virginia Beach 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Columbia River Gorge, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Virginia Beach is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Columbia River Gorge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Virginia Beach for five days. Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the coastal city of Virginia Beach. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. Many people spend one week here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the region of Columbia River Gorge. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In July, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. In the summer, Virginia Beach often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Columbia River Gorge. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. In the winter, Virginia Beach is around the same temperature as Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Virginia Beach