A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Jacksonville and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Atlantic City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums, food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Atlantic City is more popular for its nightlife and resorts. Atlantic City is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

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

Jacksonville is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Atlantic City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 people in Jacksonville know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Atlantic City to choose from. 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.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Many people visit Jacksonville for it's beautiful 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.

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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Jacksonville is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

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.

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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Jacksonville is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Atlantic City both notable 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.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. 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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville and Atlantic City are both notable 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 Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Is Jacksonville or Atlantic City Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a good destination for students. However, Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Jacksonville and Atlantic City.

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 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.

Is Jacksonville or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Atlantic City 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.

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

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 Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Atlantic City. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than Atlantic City. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

In Atlantic City, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this flashy city offers. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Atlantic City is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated destination of Jacksonville. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the flashy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atlantic City is a popular place to visit. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Atlantic City, we can see that Jacksonville 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 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 Atlantic City.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville or Atlantic City?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlantic City in the Summer?

Both Atlantic City and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In the summer, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Atlantic City. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene.

In October, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlantic City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Atlantic City. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. Jacksonville is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Atlantic City in the Spring?

Both Atlantic City and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Jacksonville is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Jacksonville