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

Should you visit Tampa or Saint Simons?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Saint Simons? 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Tampa and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Saint Simons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Tampa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its museums, food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Tampa is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities. Saint Simons is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Simons 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 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saint Simons has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Both Tampa and Saint Simons have respectable vibes after the sun sets.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Tampa. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Saint Simons is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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 Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Tampa and Saint Simons are high quality choices.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks 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 Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Saint Simons.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. 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.

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tampa or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Saint Simons makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

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

Neither Tampa or Saint Simons offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

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

Is Tampa or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable island. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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 Saint Simons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either Tampa or Saint Simons. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Simons due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saint Simons.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons.

One day in Tampa or Saint Simons?

In Tampa, many people enjoy the food that this laid-back 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.

Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or Saint Simons?

Tampa 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. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Simons. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Saint Simons?

You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 fun place to experience. Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Saint Simons?

Tampa 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Saint Simons, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Saint Simons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Saint Simons?

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

Both Saint Simons and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

In the summer, Tampa is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Saint Simons. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. Tampa 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 Tampa or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Saint Simons. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Saint Simons during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Saint Simons in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Simons in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tampa is a little warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Saint Simons. Tampa 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 Tampa or Saint Simons in the Spring?

Both Saint Simons and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Tampa is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Tampa