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

Should you visit Columbus or Chattanooga?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Chattanooga? 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.

Columbus

Columbus is a welcoming, down-to-earth, and authentic city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Chattanooga

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

Columbus and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Chattanooga?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chattanooga than Columbus. While Columbus is larger than Chattanooga, Chattanooga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chattanooga is more touristy than Columbus and is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Also, Chattanooga is famous for Rock City. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Columbus different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Columbus or Chattanooga.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Chattanooga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Columbus or Chattanooga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chattanooga is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus 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 Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Columbus and Chattanooga.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbus. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

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.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Columbus 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.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Chattanooga?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Columbus and Chattanooga.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Chattanooga offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Columbus is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Columbus is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Chattanooga is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus 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 Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga 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, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit in Chattanooga is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Columbus or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Columbus is a somewhat walkable place. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Chattanooga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbus and Chattanooga. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chattanooga than in Columbus. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbus, and 2-3 days is enough time in Chattanooga.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga than Columbus 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 Columbus or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Columbus. 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.

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbus or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the down-to-earth destination of Columbus. 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.

Chattanooga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chattanooga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Chattanooga?

The friendly city of Columbus offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbus or Chattanooga?

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

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Chattanooga, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Chattanooga?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Chattanooga, 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 Columbus or Chattanooga?

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 Columbus or Chattanooga in the Summer?

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

In July, Columbus is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbus. In the summer, Columbus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbus. Columbus usually gets less rain in July than Chattanooga. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Chattanooga. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbus this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Columbus is cooler than Chattanooga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Chattanooga during autumn. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbus usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbus or Chattanooga in the Winter?

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

Chattanooga can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbus. In the winter, Columbus is much colder than Chattanooga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Chattanooga. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Columbus usually gets less rain in January than Chattanooga. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Chattanooga in the Spring?

Both Chattanooga and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Columbus is generally cooler than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Chattanooga during spring. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In April, Columbus usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Columbus