A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Atlanta for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Wellington or Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Atlanta? 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Atlanta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlanta. Although Wellington and Atlanta are about the same size, Atlanta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Atlanta is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Atlanta and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Wellington different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wellington or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Wellington or Atlanta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Wellington and Atlanta offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Dining out in Atlanta is an experience not to be missed. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Atlanta.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Atlanta is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great city for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Atlanta is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Atlanta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Atlanta.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Atlanta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Atlanta make for a good place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Students?

Atlanta is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Atlanta is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Is Wellington or Atlanta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wellington is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

Wellington offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Wellington or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Wellington is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

For even more information, also check out Is Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Atlanta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Atlanta?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Atlanta 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Atlanta?

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Atlanta, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Atlanta?

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

When visiting Atlanta, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wellington or Atlanta?

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Atlanta, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Atlanta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 Wellington and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Atlanta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta than you might in Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Atlanta, 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 Wellington or Atlanta?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Atlanta has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Atlanta. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlanta in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wellington is much colder than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Atlantain July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Atlanta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Atlanta. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlanta for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Wellington is generally cooler than Atlantain October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Atlantain October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atlantain October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wellington is a little warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C)in January.

Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives less rain than Atlantain January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Atlanta in the Spring?

Both Atlanta and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

In the spring, Wellington is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C)in April.

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Atlantain April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets less rain in October than Atlantain April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Wellington