A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Williamsburg vs. Lancaster for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Williamsburg or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster. 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 well-preserved, historic, and charming town. Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a picturesque, scenic, and traditional town. With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Lancaster travel costs.

Williamsburg and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Lancaster?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Williamsburg and Lancaster are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its historical sights, while Lancaster attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Williamsburg is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Lancaster is famous for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Williamsburg different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Williamsburg or Lancaster.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Lancaster offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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

Foodies will find both Williamsburg and Lancaster both to be great destinations.

Dining out in Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lancaster. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Williamsburg or Lancaster has a better nightlife scene.

Williamsburg is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

Lancaster doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Lancaster?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lancaster and Williamsburg.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Williamsburg. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lancaster. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster More Beautiful?

Lancaster is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. The countryside is beautiful, with preserved farmland, covered bridges, and beautiful gardens.

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

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Lancaster is a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster Better for Couples?

Williamsburg and Lancaster both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster Better for Students?

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

Williamsburg is a great destination 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.

Lancaster is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster 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 Lancaster.

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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Lancaster a more walkable city?

Williamsburg and Lancaster both are reasonable 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.

Lancaster is generally not a very walkable town. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Lancaster?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Lancaster. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Lancaster. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Lancaster.

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Lancaster. 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Williamsburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Lancaster, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this scenic town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Lancaster?

You'll find museums and food around the well-preserved destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the well-preserved town of Williamsburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the picturesque destination of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

Williamsburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Lancaster 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 Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Lancaster?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Lancaster. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. In January, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.

Williamsburg is a little warmer than Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Williamsburg