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

Should you visit Atlantic City or Oahu?

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 Oahu. 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 flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Oahu

Oahu is a cosmopolitan, scenic, and historic island. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Atlantic City and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Oahu?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oahu. Although Atlantic City and Oahu are popular destinations, Oahu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oahu is very popular for its museums & sights, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Atlantic City attracts visitors for its nightlife. Atlantic City is famous for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Oahu is famous for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also well known for Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

How is Atlantic City different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oahu 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 Oahu. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

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 Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Oahu 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.

Oahu has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Oahu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to Atlantic City just to party. 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.

Oahu is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is a island with a few options for live music. However, Atlantic City is not a live music destination.

For those who seek it out, Oahu has several music venues. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Atlantic City is not a live music destination.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu Better for Resorts?

There are great resorts to choose from in both Atlantic City and Oahu.

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.

Oahu is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

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

Oahu 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 Oahu. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu Better for Beaches?

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

Oahu offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

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 Oahu Better for Hiking?

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

Oahu is well-known for its hiking and trekking. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Oahu?

Oahu is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Oahu is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. 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.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu Better for Families?

Oahu 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, Oahu is very family-friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

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 Oahu Better for Couples?

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

Oahu is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

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 Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City and Oahu are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oahu. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

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

Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Oahu is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Atlantic City has some public transit options. 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 Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Atlantic City or Oahu a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Oahu is lacking in good 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.

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Oahu?

Both Atlantic City and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oahu 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 Oahu.

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

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

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

One day in Atlantic City or Oahu?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Oahu. 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 Oahu?

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 Oahu. 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 Oahu?

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 food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant destination of Oahu. 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 Oahu?

The party-oriented 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful island of Oahu. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.

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

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 Oahu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Oahu. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Atlantic City is cooler than Oahu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlantic City in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Oahu averages at about 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Oahu in the Autumn?

Both Oahu and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Oahu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 56°F (13°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu and Atlantic City during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. Atlantic City is much colder than Oahu in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets less rain in January than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Oahu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Oahu. The beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Atlantic City is much colder than Oahu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlantic City in April average around 51°F (10°C), and Oahu averages at about 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Oahu. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Atlantic City