A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chattanooga vs. Vernon for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Chattanooga or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Vernon? 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 bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Chattanooga and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Vernon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chattanooga. Although Chattanooga and Vernon are popular destinations, Chattanooga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. It is also well known for Rock City. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Chattanooga different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chattanooga or Vernon.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chattanooga. 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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Chattanooga and Vernon can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chattanooga area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Chattanooga or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Chattanooga. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Chattanooga or Vernon Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Chattanooga and Vernon both have very good trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Many visitors go to Vernon for the hiking trails. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Vernon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vernon 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 Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Chattanooga or Vernon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chattanooga or Vernon.

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.

Vernon offers lots of family activities. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Chattanooga or Vernon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Vernon make for a nice place to visit.

Chattanooga is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Chattanooga is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chattanooga can get you to most places easily. 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 mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Chattanooga or Vernon a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Vernon?

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

Families should spend more time in Chattanooga than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing town of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Vernon?

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quiet destination of Vernon. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chattanooga. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The quiet town of Vernon offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Vernon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chattanooga and Vernon, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Vernon?

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

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 Chattanooga or Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Vernon. Many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Chattanooga is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Vernon. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Vernon. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Chattanooga is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chattanooga in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Chattanooga usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. In January, Chattanooga is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 40°F (5°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. In January, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Vernon. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Chattanooga during the spring are popular places to visit.

Chattanooga is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Chattanooga