A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Williamsburg vs. Kamloops for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Williamsburg or Kamloops?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Kamloops. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Kamloops travel costs.

Williamsburg and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Williamsburg and Kamloops are both popular with visitors, Williamsburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Williamsburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kamloops is known for its skiing, nightlife, and hiking. Williamsburg is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also home to Colonial Williamsburg. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Williamsburg different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Williamsburg is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Williamsburg is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Williamsburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Williamsburg or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Williamsburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kamloops area. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Kamloops is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Williamsburg is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Williamsburg is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops More Beautiful?

Williamsburg is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamloops is not a destination known for its beauty.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Kamloops is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Kamloops is a good town for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kamloops is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a very popular town for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Kamloops is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Kamloops.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Williamsburg or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Williamsburg and Kamloops both are decent when exploring on foot.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

Kamloops is generally not a very walkable town. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Williamsburg or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Williamsburg than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg than Kamloops 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

The town of Williamsburg offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kamloops, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this nature-filled city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Williamsburg 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 visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Williamsburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamloops is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Williamsburg 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.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the outdoorsy destination of Kamloops. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Kamloops is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Kamloops, 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 Williamsburg or Kamloops?

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 Williamsburg or Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Kamloops. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Williamsburg is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 78°F (26°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

Williamsburg is a little warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Williamsburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kamloops. It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. In the winter, Williamsburg is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Williamsburg in January average around 38°F (4°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Kamloops. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty.

In April, Williamsburg is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 57°F (14°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Williamsburg