A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlantic City vs. Galveston for Nightlife, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Atlantic City or Galveston?

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 Atlantic City and Galveston. 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.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a colorful, glitzy, and flashy city. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Galveston

Galveston is a historic, charming, and coastal town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Atlantic City and Galveston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galveston. Although Atlantic City and Galveston are popular destinations, Galveston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galveston is very popular for its museums & sights, historical sights, and small town charm, while Atlantic City attracts visitors for its nightlife and resorts. Atlantic City is more touristy than Galveston and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Galveston is famous for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes. It is also well known for Pleasure Pier.

How is Atlantic City different from Galveston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Galveston is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Galveston. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Is the Food Better in Atlantic City or Galveston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Galveston both to be nice destinations.

Atlantic City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Galveston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.

Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Galveston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Galveston is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Atlantic City. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Galveston is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City and Galveston both offer nice beaches.

Atlantic City offers a nice beach destination. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Galveston is a good option for a beach vacation. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for its Old Town?

Galveston is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Atlantic City does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Galveston to see the historical old town. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Atlantic City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Galveston and Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galveston. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Families?

Galveston is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Galveston is a very family-friendly place to visit. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Couples?

Galveston is well known for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Galveston frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Galveston is not a good destination for backpackers.

Atlantic City is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Galveston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The beaches are great, but most backpackers don't think to visit Galveston.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Galveston is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Public transit is generally limited in Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

Is Atlantic City or Galveston a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Atlantic City is a very walkable city. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

Galveston is a somewhat walkable city. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

For even more information, also check out Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting? and Is Galveston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galveston or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Galveston. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Atlantic City than Galveston. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Galveston 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Atlantic City or Galveston?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Galveston. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Galveston?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the party-oriented destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galveston. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-oriented city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Galveston. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Atlantic City or Galveston?

Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Galveston. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Galveston?

Galveston has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Galveston, 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 Atlantic City or Galveston?

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 Atlantic City or Galveston in the Summer?

Both Galveston and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Galveston in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Atlantic City is cooler than Galveston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlantic City in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Galveston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Galveston. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Galveston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Galveston. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Galveston for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 56°F (13°C), and Galveston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In October, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Galveston. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Galveston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Galveston. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Galveston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Atlantic City can be very cold during winter. Atlantic City is much colder than Galveston in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Galveston. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Galveston in the Spring?

Both Galveston and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.

In the spring, Atlantic City is much colder than Galveston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlantic City in April average around 51°F (10°C), and Galveston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Galveston. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galveston and Atlantic City