A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Jekyll Island for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Jekyll Island?

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 Jekyll Island. 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. It's also popular because of the museums, beaches, and hiking.

Jacksonville and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Jekyll Island?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Jekyll Island are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its resorts and hiking. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Jacksonville has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville and Jekyll Island both offer very good beaches.

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.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Jekyll Island?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

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.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

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 Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

Jekyll Island is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few campgrounds in the area as well as some nice beaches.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jacksonville or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Jekyll Island is not a walkable city. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Jekyll Island?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than Jekyll Island. 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 Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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 Jekyll Island, many people enjoy the museums that this secluded island offers. 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 Jekyll Island?

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.

Jekyll Island is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Jekyll Island?

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 museums around the natural destination of Jekyll Island. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Jekyll Island?

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.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Jacksonville or Jekyll Island?

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 Jekyll Island in the Summer?

Both Jekyll Island and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jekyll Island. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

Both Jekyll Island and Jacksonville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Jekyll Island averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 214 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Jacksonville or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Jekyll Island. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jekyll Island. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Jekyll Island. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the spring for the beaches.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 285 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Jekyll Island. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Jacksonville