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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Durham?

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 Durham. 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Durham?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Durham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Jacksonville different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Jacksonville is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Jacksonville offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham 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.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Durham?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Durham 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 Durham. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Durham 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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is very good for backpackers. However, Durham 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.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Jacksonville or Durham Better for Students?

Durham 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 Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

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

Jacksonville is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Jacksonville or Durham a more walkable city?

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

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

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Durham or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Durham?

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

Families should spend more time in Jacksonville than Durham. 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 Durham. 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 Durham 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 Durham?

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 Durham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this sports oriented city offers. 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 Durham?

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.

Durham 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 Durham?

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 diverse destination of Durham. 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 Durham?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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.

Durham 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Durham?

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

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 Durham in the Summer?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Durham. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Durham. Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Durham. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham 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 Durham for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham 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 Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Durham. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Durham. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Durham. The spring months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

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

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Durham. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Durham and Jacksonville