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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Dallas?

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 Dallas. 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 vibrant, under-rated, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Dallas?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Jacksonville than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Jacksonville, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is popular for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also home to Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Jacksonville different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Dallas 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.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Jacksonville and Dallas.

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, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Jacksonville or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Dallas have high quality 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 Dallas know how to have a good time. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Jacksonville or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Jacksonville is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Dallas?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Jacksonville and Dallas.

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.

Dallas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Jacksonville or Dallas Better for Families?

Dallas 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 Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jacksonville is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Jacksonville or Dallas Better for Students?

Jacksonville is very good for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for 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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Jacksonville and Dallas.

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 Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Jacksonville or Dallas a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Dallas?

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dallas, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this upscale 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 Dallas?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Jacksonville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas 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 Dallas, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Jacksonville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Dallas. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 82°F (28°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Dallas. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Dallas. The spring months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In April, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 68°F (20°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Dallas. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Jacksonville