A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlantic City vs. Maui for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Resorts

Should you visit Atlantic City or Maui?

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 Maui. 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 party-oriented, colorful, and glitzy city. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Atlantic City and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Atlantic City and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Atlantic City attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. Atlantic City is famous for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Maui is famous for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park.

How is Atlantic City different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Atlantic City and Maui have reasonable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Atlantic City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

Atlantic City is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Atlantic City. 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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Atlantic City is a world class party destination. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Resorts?

There are superb resorts to choose from in both Atlantic City and Maui.

There are plenty of resorts in Atlantic City to choose from. 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.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Maui?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Maui 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 Maui. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Atlantic City or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

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 Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

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 Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is a popular place for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

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

Atlantic City is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Atlantic City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Atlantic City or Maui a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Maui is not a very walkable city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Maui?

Both Atlantic City and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Atlantic City. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Atlantic City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui 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 Maui 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 Maui?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Maui. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Maui?

Atlantic City is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Atlantic City or Maui?

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of Atlantic City. This city offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Maui. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Atlantic City or Maui?

The flashy city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful island of Maui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Atlantic City or Maui?

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 Atlantic City or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlantic City in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during summer. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Atlantic City. In July, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Maui. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and Atlantic City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 56°F (13°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Maui. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Maui. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. Atlantic City is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Maui. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Maui. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Atlantic City is much colder than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlantic City in April average around 51°F (10°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the spring, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Atlantic City