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

Should you visit Atlantic City or Providence?

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 Providence. 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.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Atlantic City and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Providence?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Providence, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Providence is more popular for its museums and food. Atlantic City is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Atlantic City different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's 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 Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Atlantic City or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Providence 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 Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Atlantic City or Providence Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Providence Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is a good destination for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

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.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Providence?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Providence 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 Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Atlantic City or Providence Better for Families?

Providence 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 Providence. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

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 Providence Better for Couples?

Atlantic City and Providence 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.

Providence makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

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

Atlantic City is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

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

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Atlantic City or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is well known for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Many students visit Providence. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Atlantic City and Providence.

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.

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Is Atlantic City or Providence a more walkable city?

Atlantic City and Providence both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Providence is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Providence or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Providence?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Providence. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Providence.

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

Couples should spend more time in Atlantic City than Providence. 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 Providence 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 Providence?

With shopping and nightlife around the glitzy city of Atlantic City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atlantic City, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Providence. 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 Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Atlantic City, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Atlantic City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Providence. 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 Providence?

Atlantic City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Providence. 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 Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence 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 Providence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Providence, 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 Providence?

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 Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

In July, Atlantic City is generally around the same temperature as Providence. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 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 Providence. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Providence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Providence. The shopping scene are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.

Atlantic City is a little warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Providence. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Providence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Providence. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Atlantic City. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Providence. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Providence. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Providence in the Spring?

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

In April, Atlantic City is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. 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 Providence during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Providence. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Providence and Atlantic City