A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Aspen for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Aspen?

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 Aspen. 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 lively, youthful, and fun city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Aspen

Aspen is a outdoorsy, authentic, and charming ski town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Jacksonville and Aspen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Aspen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aspen. Although Jacksonville and Aspen are popular destinations, Aspen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aspen is very popular for its skiing, food, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Jacksonville attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and big city activities. Aspen is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its world-class skiing, many food, film, and music festivals, and its stunning mountain hikes. It is also well known for The Maroon Bells. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Jacksonville different from Aspen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Skiing?

Aspen is renowned for skiing and snowboarding. However, Jacksonville is not a skiing destination.

Aspen is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. Near the town, there are 4 separate ski resorts. In town you'll find Aspen Mountain, which is known for it's black-diamond runs. Aspen Highlands, a couple miles away, has a mix of slopes and is less crowded. Buttermilk attracts many freestyle skiers and Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the best family-friendly ski areas.

Jacksonville is not a skiing destination.

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

Jacksonville is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Aspen is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Aspen, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town hosts many food festivals and there is a growing selection of diverse restaurants. In town you'll find cafes and restaurants that cater to both the local crowd and the travelers who flock to the area during peak seasons.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Aspen have very good 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 Aspen know how to have a good time. The people in Aspen know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes craft beer, live music, and dancing. There's a local vibe, particularly during the off-season times when the tourist crowds are less.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Music?

Aspen is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Aspen has diverse options. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Resorts?

Aspen is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Aspen to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great destination for the beach. However, Aspen is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Jacksonville attract visitors from all over. 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.

Aspen is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Hiking?

Aspen 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 Aspen. During the summer and fall seasons, hiking is a great way to explore Aspen's nearby beauty. Popular trails include the Ute Trail, the Lost Man Trail, and the famous Maroon Bells Scenic Trail.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Aspen?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Jacksonville and Aspen.

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.

Aspen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Christmas?

Aspen is renowned for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.

Known for its popular Christmas activities, Aspen draws large crowds. There are a number of beautiful activities that will bring the holiday season to life in the town.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Christmas Markets?

Aspen is an excellent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

Aspen has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. The town has a charming Christmas market that is fun to explore and has around 40 vendors.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Aspen 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 Aspen. Families that enjoy skiing together, hiking, rock climbing, and having adventures will enjoy a visit to this town. Aspen Mountain is not a great option for beginning skiers, but further away, Aspen Snowmass offers good beginner slopes.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Couples?

Aspen is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Aspen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Aspen is both a popular ski destination as well as an established town. There are many great restaurants and activities that couples can enjoy and the setting is cute and very scenic, making it a beautiful and romantic destination.

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 Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Aspen is a ski town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Aspen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Because it is both a town and a ski resort, there are a couple of more affordable accommodation options. Even so, this is an expensive destination that isn't always ideal for budget travelers.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for students. However, Aspen is not popular with students.

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.

Aspen is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Jacksonville and Aspen.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

You'll find some public transit in Aspen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

Is Jacksonville or Aspen a more walkable city?

Aspen 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.

Aspen is a very walkable destination. The town is compact enough that it can be explored on foot. If you're planning to head into the mountains to hike, you'll likely need a car.

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 Aspen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aspen or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Aspen?

In either Jacksonville or Aspen, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Aspen than Jacksonville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 3-5 days is enough time in Aspen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Aspen 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 Jacksonville or Aspen?

In Jacksonville, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Aspen is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Aspen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Aspen is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Jacksonville or Aspen?

Jacksonville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Aspen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Jacksonville or Aspen?

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aspen 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.

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 Aspen, we can see that Aspen 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen 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 Aspen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Aspen?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Aspen, 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.