A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Food

Should you visit Tampa or Atlantic City?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Atlantic City? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food and beaches.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Tampa and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tampa than Atlantic City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tampa is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Atlantic City is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Atlantic City is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Tampa is famous for Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Atlantic City is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and Atlantic City can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Atlantic City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Tampa is well known for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Many people visit Tampa for it's beautiful beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks 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 Tampa or Atlantic City?

Atlantic City is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Atlantic City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Families?

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

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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 Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Atlantic City is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Atlantic City is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Atlantic City is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Atlantic City has some public transit options. 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 limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Atlantic City. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Atlantic City than Tampa. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Tampa 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 Tampa or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back destination of Tampa. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

In Atlantic City, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this colorful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlantic City. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the easy-going destination of Tampa. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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.

Atlantic City is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Atlantic City. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Atlantic City?

You'll find food around the city of Tampa. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the party-oriented destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Tampa and Atlantic City, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Atlantic City?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or Atlantic City in the Summer?

Both Atlantic City and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Atlantic City. Tampa 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 Tampa or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Atlantic City. The autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Atlantic City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Atlantic City. The cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Atlantic City. Tampa is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Atlantic City. Tampa 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 Tampa or Atlantic City in the Spring?

Both Atlantic City and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Atlantic City in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Tampa