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

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Chattanooga can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. Other popular activities here include museums, beaches, and hiking.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Jekyll Island and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Both Chattanooga and Jekyll Island have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Jekyll Island is very popular for its resorts and beaches, while Chattanooga attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Jekyll Island different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chattanooga and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Chattanooga and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. 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.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

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

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Chattanooga is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

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 Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Chattanooga. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

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

Is Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a island with a few options for its resorts. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for the beach. However, Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

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.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Both Jekyll Island and Chattanooga are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Chattanooga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

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 Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Jekyll Island is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Jekyll Island or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Both Jekyll Island and Chattanooga are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. 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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

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

Chattanooga is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Chattanooga offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

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

Is Jekyll Island or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Chattanooga is a very walkable destination. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Chattanooga. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Chattanooga. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 2-3 days is enough time in Chattanooga.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.

One day in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded island of Jekyll Island. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded destination of Jekyll Island. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chattanooga. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

The secluded island of Jekyll Island offers museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling destination of Chattanooga. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Chattanooga?

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Jekyll Island. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Chattanooga. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jekyll Island and Chattanooga, we can see that Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chattanooga 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 Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Chattanooga Expensive?.

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

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 Jekyll Island or Chattanooga in the Summer?

Both Chattanooga and Jekyll Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chattanooga in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Jekyll Island is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the summer. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chattanooga in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Chattanooga. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in January than Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chattanooga in the Spring?

Both Chattanooga and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Chattanooga in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In April, Jekyll Island usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Jekyll Island