A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlanta vs. Durham for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Atlanta or Durham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Durham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a sprawling, suburban, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Atlanta travel costs.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Atlanta and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlanta or Durham?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Durham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Atlanta is more touristy than Durham and 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 well known for the Georgia Aquarium. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Atlanta different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Atlanta is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Atlanta on the map. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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

Atlanta is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Atlanta or Durham Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Atlanta offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlanta or Durham?

Atlanta is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Atlanta is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Atlanta or Durham Better for Families?

Atlanta is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Atlanta or Durham Better for Couples?

Atlanta and Durham are both nice to visit as a couple.

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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Atlanta or Durham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlanta is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Atlanta is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Atlanta or Durham Better for Students?

For students, both Atlanta and Durham are excellent places to visit.

Atlanta is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

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

Atlanta and Durham both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Atlanta or Durham a more walkable city?

Atlanta is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Durham or Atlanta?

How long in Atlanta or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlanta and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Atlanta than in Durham. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Atlanta, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

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

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

One day in Atlanta or Durham?

Atlanta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Atlanta or Durham?

Atlanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Atlanta or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlanta. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Atlanta or Durham?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Atlanta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Atlanta and Durham, we can see that Atlanta 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 Atlanta Expensive? and Is Durham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Durham?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Durham, 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 Atlanta or Durham?

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 Atlanta or Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Atlanta during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences.

Atlanta is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the summer, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Durham. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Durham in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Atlanta is a little warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlanta in October average around 66°F (19°C), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Durham. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlanta or Durham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Durham. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In January, Atlanta is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 45°F (7°C), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Atlanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. Atlanta usually gets more rain in January than Durham. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city.

Atlanta is a little warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during spring. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In April, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Durham. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Atlanta