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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons. 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 fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Jacksonville and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Saint Simons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Saint Simons, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums & sights, nightlife, and big city activities, while Saint Simons is more popular for its resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Simons is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. 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 Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Jacksonville and Saint Simons.

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, Saint Simons makes for a great culinary experience. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a great destination for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville and Saint Simons both offer superb 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.

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons offers some nice hiking trails. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Saint Simons?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Jacksonville and Saint Simons.

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.

Saint Simons is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

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 Saint Simons Better for Couples?

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

Saint Simons makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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 Saint Simons Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a popular place for students. However, Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Jacksonville or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Saint Simons are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Saint Simons?

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

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

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

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

In Jacksonville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Saint Simons?

Jacksonville 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.

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Saint Simons?

Jacksonville is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Saint Simons is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Saint Simons?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Saint Simons, 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 Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons in the Summer?

Both Saint Simons and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Saint Simons, 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 Saint Simons. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint Simons. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Saint Simons in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Simons in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Saint Simons. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

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

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

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Simons in the Spring?

Both Saint Simons and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Simons. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Jacksonville