A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlanta vs. Baltimore for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Atlanta or Baltimore?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Baltimore, 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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a cultural, diverse, and sprawling city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Atlanta travel costs.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Baltimore travel costs.

Atlanta and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Atlanta than Baltimore. While Baltimore is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is more touristy than Atlanta and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Atlanta different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Atlanta is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Atlanta are among the most recognizable in the world. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Baltimore can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Atlanta or Baltimore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Atlanta and Baltimore.

Atlanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Baltimore makes for a great culinary experience. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Atlanta and Baltimore.

The nightlife in Atlanta has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Baltimore offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Atlanta is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Atlanta make it a world-class shopping destination. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Families?

Atlanta and Baltimore are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Atlanta. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Baltimore is a very family-friendly place to visit. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Atlanta and Baltimore are both good to visit as a couple.

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Baltimore is a nice destination for couples. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Atlanta and Baltimore are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Baltimore is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Students?

Atlanta is well known for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Atlanta is very popular with students. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

Baltimore offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Atlanta or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

For even more information, also check out Is Atlanta Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Atlanta?

How long in Atlanta or Baltimore?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlanta than Baltimore 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 Atlanta.

One day in Atlanta or Baltimore?

People visit Atlanta because there is so much to do. 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 Baltimore, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Atlanta or Baltimore?

People visit Atlanta because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Baltimore, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Baltimore has to offer.

Five days in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Atlanta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Baltimore is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Atlanta is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 comparing the travel costs between Atlanta and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Baltimore, 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 Atlanta or Baltimore?

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 Atlanta or Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Baltimore. Most visitors come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Atlanta is generally a little warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 82°F (28°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In the summer, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlanta usually gets more rain in July than Baltimore. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

Atlanta is a little warmer than Baltimore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 66°F (19°C) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlanta or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Atlanta during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Baltimore. In the winter, Atlanta is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlanta in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Baltimore averages at about 32°F (0°C).

In the winter, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in January than Baltimore. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Baltimore. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Baltimore in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Atlanta is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 65°F (18°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Atlanta