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

Should you visit Charlotte or Atlantic City?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Atlantic City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Charlotte travel costs.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a colorful, glitzy, and flashy city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Atlantic City travel costs.

Charlotte and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charlotte than Atlantic City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charlotte is better known for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Atlantic City is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Atlantic City is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Charlotte different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlotte is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and Atlantic City.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

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 Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Atlantic City is a must-see party destination. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Atlantic City. 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.

Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Is Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is very good for the beach. However, Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Atlantic City to enjoy the beach. 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.

Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Charlotte and Atlantic City both offer plenty of notable spots.

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Charlotte is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charlotte. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

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 Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Both Charlotte and Atlantic City are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. 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.

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

Atlantic City is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Charlotte or Atlantic City Better for Students?

Charlotte is a good destination for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Charlotte is popular with students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

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

Charlotte and Atlantic City both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Atlantic City has a few 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.

Is Charlotte or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

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

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

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Atlantic City. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Atlantic City than Charlotte. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Atlantic City than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the flashy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-oriented city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Charlotte. 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.

Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Atlantic City?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Atlantic City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Atlantic City. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Charlotte is a little warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the summer, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlantic City. Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

Both Atlantic City and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the shopping scene.

In October, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or Atlantic City in the Winter?

Both Atlantic City and Charlotte during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

It's quite cold in Atlantic City in the winter. Charlotte is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In the winter, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Atlantic City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Atlantic City. The activities around the city are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches.

In the spring, Charlotte is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 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 Charlotte