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

Should you visit Atlantic City or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Atlantic City and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Phoenix?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Phoenix, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Phoenix is more popular for its museums and hiking. Atlantic City is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Atlantic City different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Phoenix is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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 Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Phoenix both to be notable 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.

Phoenix has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Atlantic City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

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

In Atlantic City, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is a city with good options for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Atlantic City. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Phoenix?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix Better for Families?

Phoenix is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

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 Phoenix Better for Couples?

Atlantic City and Phoenix both notable destinations for a couple.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Atlantic City is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

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

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Atlantic City is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Atlantic City or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Phoenix?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Atlantic City, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

In Atlantic City, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. This city 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlantic City. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Atlantic City. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Phoenix. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Atlantic City is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Phoenix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Atlantic City in the winter. In the winter, Atlantic City is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches.

In April, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Atlantic City