A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Vail for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint Simons or Vail?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Vail? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a laid back, scenic, and relaxing island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches.

Vail

Vail is a charming, picturesque, and scenic ski town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and live music.

Saint Simons and Vail: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Vail?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vail. Although Saint Simons and Vail are popular destinations, Vail has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vail is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Simons attracts visitors for its museums, food, and beaches. Vail is more touristy than Saint Simons and is popular for its world-class skiing, charming mountain town atmosphere, and adventurous outdoor activities. It is also well known for The Vail Ski Resort. Saint Simons is famous for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.

How is Saint Simons different from Vail?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Skiing?

Vail is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Saint Simons is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Vail should be on your list. This ski town has produced its share of Olympians. Vail is the third largest ski resort in the US and it has 31 lifts and 195 runs. There are five different bowls that offer beautiful views.

Saint Simons is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Simons or Vail?

Saint Simons is adequate for its historical sights. However, Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Simons is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Vail is not as popular, but is still a nice ski town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Simons has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Vail area. The town has a diverse sampling of restaurants that include different ethnic options as well as taverns with comfort food. It's easy to find mountain-friendly restaurants where you can refuel during your ski vacation.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Vail know how to have a good time. Happy Hours start early, and then the partying can go late into the night. There are bars, lounges, breweries and live music that keep the atmosphere light and offer entertainment after your long day on the slopes. Do keep in mind that many places close or dramatically reduce their hours during the off-peak fall and spring months.

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 Simons or Vail Better for Music?

Vail is a popular place for live music. However, Saint Simons is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Vail is active and vibrant. You can often find live music at Shakedown Bar, Bridge Street Bar, and the Red Lion.

Saint Simons is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Resorts?

Vail is a great destination for its resorts. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vail is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Designed as a resort town, Vail offers great accommodation. Nice resorts include Four Seasons Resort and Residences, the Ritz Carlton Club, and the Grand Hyatt.

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 Simons or Vail Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is a great island for the beache. However, Vail is not a beach destination.

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.

Vail is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Hiking?

Vail is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Vail. During the warmer months, this resort town is surrounded by world-class hiking trails. You can enjoy the wildflowers, search for wildlife, or take in the sweeping mountain views. Popular hikes near Vail include Booth Falls, Davos Trail, and Shrine Ridge.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Vail?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vail and Saint Simons.

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.

Vail is well-known for its shopping. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques and ski shops that sell everything from evening dresses to outdoor gear. It's easy to pop into the many shops around downtown Vail and find anything you might need.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Christmas?

Vail is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Simons does not offer Christmas activities.

Vail is a world class destination for shoppers. The town is a winter wonderland during the holidays. Check out the iconic Christmas tree lighting and wander through the fairytale streets.

Saint Simons does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Christmas Markets?

Vail is a great destination for its Christmas markets. However, Saint Simons does not offer Christmas markets.

Vail has a large number of Christmas markets. The town's Christmas Market is picturesque, and the perfect place to pick up some unique gifts.

Saint Simons does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Families?

Vail is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Vail is a very family-friendly destination. With its world class skiing, rock climbing, ice skating, and ice cream, kids love this ski resort. The resort town has two terrain parks - Golden Peak and Avanti. Avanti is perfect for kids. It has small jumps, wide rails, and kid-friendly amenities. Golden Peak is designed for more advanced athletes. Vail also has nice beginner slopes that are great for kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. 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 Simons or Vail Better for Couples?

Vail is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Vail makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy skiing and outdoor adventure will appreciate everything that this ski town has to offer. There are nice restaurants, beautiful gardens, and plenty of romantic activities to choose from.

Saint Simons is a great island if you're traveling as 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.

Is Saint Simons or Vail Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vail 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 Vail. This ski town isn't completely closed off to budget travelers as there are a couple of hostels around town.

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

Vail 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 Vail, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a free bus service through the area.

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

Is Saint Simons or Vail a more walkable city?

Vail is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Vail on foot is easy. The main downtown is pedestrian-only and perfect for popping in shops and restaurants.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Vail Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vail or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Vail?

Both Saint Simons and Vail have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vail than in Saint Simons. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 3-7 days is enough time in Vail.

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

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

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

One day in Saint Simons or Vail?

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Vail, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this resort-filled ski town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Saint Simons or Vail?

Saint Simons is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Vail is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the skiing. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Saint Simons or Vail?

Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In Vail, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this resort-filled small town offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the skiing. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Saint Simons or Vail?

Because Saint Simons is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Vail is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Vail?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Vail, 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.