A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Virginia Beach vs. Vernon for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Vernon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Vernon, 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 fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking. See Vernon travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vernon. Although Virginia Beach and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Vernon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Vernon is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. It is also home to Davison Orchards Country Village.

How is Virginia Beach different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon 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 Vernon?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Vernon is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Vernon is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Vernon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

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 Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. 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.

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 Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

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

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.


Is Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Vernon is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Vernon for the hiking trails. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Vernon 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 Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Virginia Beach or Vernon More Beautiful?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Families?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly coastal 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 Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach and Vernon are both good to visit as a couple.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Vernon is a good coastal city for couples to visit. 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 Virginia Beach or Vernon Better for Students?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for students. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not popular with students.

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

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Vernon 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

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 Vernon a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach
Vernon

Virginia Beach and Vernon are decent when it comes to walkability.

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

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


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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Vernon. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

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


  • How many days in Virginia Beach or Vernon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Virginia Beach 5-7 
    Vernon 1-3

One day in Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Vernon, you'll find food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vernon. 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the town of Vernon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Virginia Beach?

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

  • Virginia Beach Prices
    USA Prices
    Vernon Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Virginia Beach $148
    Vernon $49

The average daily cost (per person) in Virginia Beach is $148, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $49. 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 Virginia Beach and Vernon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Virginia Beach $71
    Vernon $4.81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Virginia Beach $142
    Vernon $9.62
Compare Hotels in Virginia Beach and Vernon

Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach or Vernon? 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 Virginia Beach


Hotels in Vernon


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: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Virginia Beach $39
    Vernon -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Prices for flights to both Vernon and Virginia Beach 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
    Virginia Beach $52
    Vernon $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Virginia Beach $21
    Vernon -

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $24
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $32
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $63
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $64
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour: This is a Workout!: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Virginia Beach $11
    Vernon $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Virginia Beach and Vernon, we can see that Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Vernon?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon 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 Vernon this time of year.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C) 
    Vernon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Vernon in the Autumn?

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

In October, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Vernon. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C) 
    Vernon 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Vernon in the Winter?

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

Vernon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C) 
    Vernon -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon 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.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Vernon. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C) 
    Vernon 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Vernon and Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Vernon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)