A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a high energy, scenic, and bustling coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a party-oriented, colorful, and glitzy city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Fort Lauderdale. Although Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City are both popular with visitors, Fort Lauderdale has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Fort Lauderdale is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Atlantic City is known for its museums and nightlife. Fort Lauderdale is popular for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. It is also home to The Local Beaches. Atlantic City is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality

How is Fort Lauderdale different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Atlantic City is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

Atlantic City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Fort Lauderdale offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Atlantic City is a world class party destination. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale has something for everybody. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Fort Lauderdale is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Fort Lauderdale for its luxury resorts. Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Fort Lauderdale is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Fort Lauderdale. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Fort Lauderdale is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Fort Lauderdale offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Atlantic City and Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for shopping. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Fort Lauderdale is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Fort Lauderdale is a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities, the kids will love it here. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome. On sunny days there are many outdoor recreation areas and when the weather isn't cooperating, there are hands-on museums.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Fort Lauderdale is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Fort Lauderdale is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. A sunset walk on the beach and a stay at a romantic resort will make for an unforgettable trip.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is a good destination for backpackers. However, Fort Lauderdale is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Fort Lauderdale is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is a good destination for its public transit. However, Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Atlantic City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Public transit is mostly limited in Fort Lauderdale. Transportation options include a water taxi and the Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Fort Lauderdale is very walkable. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.

Atlantic City is a very walkable coastal city. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

For even more information, also check out Is Fort Lauderdale Worth Visiting? and Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than in Atlantic City. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Fort Lauderdale, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Fort Lauderdale 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Fort Lauderdale. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The flashy destination of Atlantic City offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Fort Lauderdale. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful coastal city of Fort Lauderdale. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City, 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 Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City?

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 Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City in the Summer?

Both Atlantic City and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Atlantic City in the summer. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

Both Atlantic City and Fort Lauderdale during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 67°F (20°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Atlantic City in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Atlantic City. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months.

Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Atlantic City in the spring. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 75°F (24°C) in April, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun.

Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atlantic City. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Fort Lauderdale