A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Everglades National Park vs. Jacksonville for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Jacksonville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a wild, pristine, and adventure-filled national park. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a vibrant, under-rated, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Everglades National Park and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Everglades National Park and Jacksonville are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Everglades National Park is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Everglades National Park different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a great city for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Jacksonville specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jacksonville is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Jacksonville has something for everybody. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great city for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Jacksonville is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Jacksonville.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

Both Everglades National Park and Jacksonville are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Everglades National Park is a good national park for couples to visit. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Students?

Jacksonville is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jacksonville is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

While Jacksonville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Everglades National Park and Jacksonville. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Jacksonville than Everglades National Park. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Everglades National Park 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

In Everglades National Park, many people enjoy the that this natural national park offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With food and shopping around the lively city of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Everglades National Park is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With shopping and museums around the fun destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

You'll find around the unique destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively city of Jacksonville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people come for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

Everglades National Park is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Jacksonville?

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 Everglades National Park or Jacksonville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Jacksonville. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Jacksonville. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Everglades National Park in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Jacksonville averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 214 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Jacksonville in the Winter?

Both Jacksonville and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

In January, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 67°F (19°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Jacksonville in the Spring?

Both Jacksonville and Everglades National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the spring. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 285 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Jacksonville. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Everglades National Park