A Travel Price Comparison for Georgia Blue Ridge vs. Jekyll Island for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

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 Blue Ridge and Jekyll Island. 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a quaint, charming, and outdoorsy town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Blue Ridge and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Jekyll Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Jekyll Island is more popular for its museums, resorts, and beaches. Blue Ridge is well known for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest. Jekyll Island is well known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Blue Ridge different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jekyll Island and Blue Ridge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Jekyll Island is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Blue Ridge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Jekyll Island for it's beautiful beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Blue Ridge and Jekyll Island, and they are very good.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Blue Ridge is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

Both Blue Ridge and Jekyll Island are very good family-friendly destinations.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Jekyll Island is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Jekyll Island is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few campgrounds in the area as well as some nice beaches.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable town. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable town. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

It's fun to spend time in either Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Jekyll Island.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Jekyll Island 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

With museums around the relaxing island of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

With museums around the destination of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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.

Jekyll Island, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Jekyll Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Jekyll Island Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island?

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 Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island in the Summer?

Both Jekyll Island and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Jekyll Island during summer. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In July, Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

Both Jekyll Island and Blue Ridge during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

Blue Ridge is cooler than Jekyll Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the autumn, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 214 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Jekyll Island. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Blue Ridge in the winter. In the winter, Blue Ridge is much colder than Jekyll Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Jekyll Island averages at about 53°F (12°C).

Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Jekyll Island during winter. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Jekyll Island. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally cooler than Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the spring, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 285 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the spring. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in April than Jekyll Island. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Blue Ridge