A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Saint Simons for Attractions, Families, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Cape Canaveral, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Cape Canaveral is more popular for its museums. Cape Canaveral is well known for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Simons and Cape Canaveral. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Cape Canaveral is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Canaveral that are not to be missed. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Simons is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Simons has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find respectable options in both Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons.

Cape Canaveral doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, notable resorts can be found in both Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons.

Cape Canaveral has a few great resort options. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is a great island for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Simons. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons is a great island for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is a very family-friendly destination. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons are both very good to visit as a couple.

Cape Canaveral is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable island. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Simons due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cape Canaveral, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saint Simons.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Simons than Cape Canaveral 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 Saint Simons.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

In Cape Canaveral, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this unique town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Cape Canaveral is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

You'll find food and shopping around the wonder-filled destination of Cape Canaveral. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Simons. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cape Canaveral Expensive? and Is Saint Simons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons, 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 Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons?

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 Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Saint Simons. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Canaveral in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Saint Simons. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

Both Saint Simons and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 74°F (24°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Cape Canaveral. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Saint Simons. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons in the Winter?

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

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Saint Simons. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Simons in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Saint Simons. The beaches are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Canaveral in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Simons. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Cape Canaveral