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

Should you visit Atlanta or Charlotte?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Charlotte, 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 diverse, sprawling, and suburban city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Atlanta travel costs.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing 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 Charlotte travel costs.

Atlanta and Charlotte: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlanta or Charlotte?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Charlotte. While Charlotte is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Atlanta is more touristy than Charlotte and is known 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 well known for the Georgia Aquarium. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.

How is Atlanta different from Charlotte?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Atlanta is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Atlanta has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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

Atlanta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is Atlanta or Charlotte Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta is great for its evening party scene. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Atlanta for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlanta or Charlotte?

Atlanta is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Atlanta specifically to go shopping. 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.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Atlanta or Charlotte Better for Families?

Atlanta is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Atlanta or Charlotte Better for Couples?

Atlanta and Charlotte are both nice 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.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is Atlanta or Charlotte Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlanta is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.

Atlanta is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Atlanta or Charlotte Better for Students?

Atlanta is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Charlotte is a good city to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Charlotte a more walkable city?

Atlanta and Charlotte are nice when it comes to walkability.

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlotte or Atlanta?

How long in Atlanta or Charlotte?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlanta than Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Atlanta or Charlotte?

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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte has to offer.

Five days in Atlanta or Charlotte?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the suburban 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.

Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Charlotte. 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 Charlotte, we can see that Charlotte 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 Charlotte Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Charlotte, 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 Charlotte?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atlanta or Charlotte in the Summer?

Both Charlotte and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Atlanta is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during summer. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In July, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atlanta or Charlotte in the Autumn?

Both Charlotte and Atlanta during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.

In the autumn, Atlanta is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlanta in October average around 66°F (19°C), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the autumn, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun.

Atlanta usually gets more rain in October than Charlotte. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Charlotte in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Charlotte. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Atlanta is generally a little warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 45°F (7°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during winter. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun in the winter.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atlanta or Charlotte in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Charlotte. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Charlotte in the spring for the activities around the city.

Atlanta is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In the spring, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. Atlanta usually gets more rain in April than Charlotte. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Atlanta