A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Jacksonville or Arlington?

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 Jacksonville and Arlington. 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.

Jacksonville

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

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Arlington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Arlington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Arlington is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. 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 Jacksonville different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jacksonville or Arlington?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Arlington and Jacksonville.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. 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.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Jacksonville or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Jacksonville and Arlington.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Arlington have great vibes after the sun sets.

Jacksonville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Jacksonville. 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.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Arlington?

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Arlington are nice family-friendly destinations.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Arlington both nice destinations for a couple.

Jacksonville is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington 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 Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

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 Jacksonville or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

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

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

Arlington is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Arlington has a great public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Jacksonville or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Jacksonville or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Jacksonville 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 Arlington.

One day in Jacksonville or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Jacksonville. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

In Arlington, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historical city offers. 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.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

Arlington is a fun place to experience. 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.

Five days in Jacksonville or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun city of Jacksonville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the international destination of Arlington. 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.

A week in Jacksonville or Arlington?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Arlington is a popular place to visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Arlington?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Arlington, 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 Jacksonville or Arlington?

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 Jacksonville or Arlington in the Summer?

Both Arlington and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. In July, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Arlington. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Jacksonville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Arlington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Arlington. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Arlington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Arlington. The winter months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Arlington. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Arlington. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Arlington in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Arlington. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Arlington 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 Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Jacksonville