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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, food, and beaches.

Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

Both Saint Simons and Saint Petersburg have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and beaches, while Saint Simons is known for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Petersburg is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Saint Simons is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Petersburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 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 Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Petersburg. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Simons. 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 Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Saint Petersburg is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Saint Petersburg has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a 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 Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons.

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Simons makes a nice vacation spot. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Is Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Saint Petersburg. 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.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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 Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is very good for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Simons. 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.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons is great for shopping. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Saint Simons. 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.

Saint Petersburg offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Saint Simons is a very kid-friendly coastal city. 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.

Is Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Both Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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

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

Is Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Saint Simons is very good for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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.

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 Saint Simons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons. In our opinion, Saint Petersburg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Saint Simons. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons. 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

In Saint Petersburg, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fun-filled coastal 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. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

Saint Petersburg 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. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Saint Simons?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Saint Simons?

Saint Petersburg 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 great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Saint Simons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Saint Simons. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Saint Simons in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

Both Saint Simons and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Saint Simons during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons in the Winter?

Both Saint Simons and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Simons in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Simons in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Saint Simons in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Saint Petersburg