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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Providence?

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

Providence

Providence is a active, friendly, and fascinating city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Providence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Providence. 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. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Jacksonville different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Jacksonville and Providence.

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, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Jacksonville has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great city for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

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.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Providence?

Jacksonville is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Providence 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 Providence. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Providence 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known 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.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Jacksonville or Providence Better for Students?

Providence 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 Providence. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Jacksonville and Providence.

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 Providence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Is Jacksonville or Providence a more walkable city?

Providence 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.

Providence is a very walkable destination. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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 Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Providence?

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the lively city of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Providence, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this active 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 Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Providence 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 Providence?

Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Providence. 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 Providence?

Jacksonville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Providence 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 comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Providence, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Providence?

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

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 Providence in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Providence. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Providence in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence 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 Providence during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Providence. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Providence in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Providence. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Providence averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. 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 Providence. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets less rain in October than Providence. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Providence in the Winter?

Both Providence and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Providence during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Providence. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Providence in the Spring?

Both Providence and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is much warmer than Providence in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Providence. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets less rain in April than Providence. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Providence and Jacksonville