A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Williamsburg vs. Martha's Vineyard for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Williamsburg and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Williamsburg have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums and attractions and historical sights, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Williamsburg different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Williamsburg is a great town for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Williamsburg and Martha's Vineyard both to be excellent 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 Martha's Vineyard. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard 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, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Williamsburg is very family-friendly. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard Better for Students?

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

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard.

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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this island.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the well-preserved town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the charming destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Williamsburg is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

Williamsburg is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Martha's Vineyard. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. In January, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Williamsburg is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Williamsburg