A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chattanooga vs. Cleveland for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chattanooga or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Cleveland? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a outdoorsy, thriving, and bustling city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chattanooga and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chattanooga than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Chattanooga, Chattanooga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chattanooga is better known for its food and hiking, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums and music. Chattanooga is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Also, Chattanooga is famous for Rock City. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Chattanooga different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Cleveland is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Chattanooga or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chattanooga or Cleveland has a better nightlife scene.

Chattanooga has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

If you're looking for night time activities Cleveland has a few options to choose from. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great destination for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cleveland and Chattanooga.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga to go shopping. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chattanooga or Cleveland.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chattanooga. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Cleveland offers lots of family activities. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors to Chattanooga can move around easily with public transportation. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Chattanooga or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Chattanooga is very walkable. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chattanooga and Cleveland. In our opinion, Chattanooga has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Chattanooga than Cleveland. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Chattanooga, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga than Cleveland 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 Chattanooga.

One day in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Chattanooga. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the authentic city of Cleveland. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting the under-rated destination of Cleveland. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Chattanooga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The under-rated city of Cleveland offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cleveland. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Cleveland, 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 Chattanooga or Cleveland?

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 Chattanooga or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Cleveland. Many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chattanooga is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chattanooga in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cleveland. Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 63°F (17°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. Chattanooga is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Cleveland.

In the spring, Chattanooga is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chattanooga in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Chattanooga