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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Atlanta?

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 Atlanta. 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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Atlanta?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Jacksonville. While Jacksonville is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Atlanta is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Jacksonville attracts visitors for its beaches. Atlanta is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also well known for the Georgia Aquarium. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Jacksonville different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Atlanta has many famous sights for visitors. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

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

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, Atlanta makes for a great culinary experience. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Atlanta 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 Atlanta know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great city for the beach. However, Atlanta 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.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Atlanta specifically to go shopping. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Families?

Atlanta is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Atlanta. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Atlanta 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.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville and Atlanta are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta Better for Students?

Atlanta 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 Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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 Atlanta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta 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 generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Jacksonville or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Atlanta are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Jacksonville or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

One day in Jacksonville or Atlanta?

In Jacksonville, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Each neighborhood in Atlanta has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Atlanta?

In Jacksonville, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jacksonville has to offer.

Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling big city of Atlanta. 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 Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Atlanta 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Atlanta, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Atlanta?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Atlanta, 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 Atlanta?

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 Atlanta in the Summer?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlanta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Atlanta. 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 Atlanta because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Atlanta averages at about 66°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Atlanta this time of year.

In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Atlanta during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In January, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlanta in the Spring?

Both Atlanta and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Atlanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in April than Atlanta. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Jacksonville