A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Beaches, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a colorful, glitzy, and flashy city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City are both popular with visitors, Saint Petersburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its museums, food, and beaches, while Atlantic City is known for its nightlife and resorts. Atlantic City is more touristy than Saint Petersburg and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Saint Petersburg is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also home to St. Pete Beach.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlantic City and Saint Petersburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Saint Petersburg is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Saint Petersburg. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Petersburg makes for a great culinary experience. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is terrific for nightlife. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife and partying.

Atlantic City is a must-see party destination. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Atlantic City. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Petersburg makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Saint Petersburg offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Atlantic City offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is well known for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Saint Petersburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Atlantic City is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Saint Petersburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but budget travelers will appreciate the affordable accommodation around town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Is Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is great for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in Atlantic City. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Saint Petersburg 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the glitzy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Petersburg. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the flashy city of Atlantic City. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal 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.

Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. 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.

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Atlantic City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlantic City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlantic City 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Atlantic City.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City, 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 Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City?

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 Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Atlantic City. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Atlantic City in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

Both Atlantic City and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City in the Winter?

Both Atlantic City and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

It's quite cold in Atlantic City in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Atlantic City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Atlantic City. The beaches are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Atlantic City in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Saint Petersburg