A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Flagstaff for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a adventurous , picturesque, and active city. Flagstaff offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

Both Flagstaff and Cocoa Beach have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cocoa Beach is very popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, and beaches, while Flagstaff attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Cocoa Beach is famous for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Flagstaff is famous for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Flagstaff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

Cocoa Beach is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Flagstaff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flagstaff makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Flagstaff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its resorts. However, Flagstaff is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Flagstaff is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is well known for the beach. However, Flagstaff is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Cocoa Beach attract visitors from all over. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Flagstaff is not a beach destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Flagstaff is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Flagstaff is a great destination for shopping. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff More Beautiful?

Flagstaff is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Flagstaff offers plenty of beauty for visitors. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Flagstaff is a very family-friendly destination. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is well known for couples. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Cocoa Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Flagstaff is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Flagstaff. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its public transit. However, Flagstaff is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cocoa Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

Flagstaff is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flagstaff or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

It's fun to spend time in either Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-4 days is enough time in Flagstaff.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flagstaff than Cocoa Beach 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 Flagstaff.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

You'll find shopping and museums around the beach town of Cocoa Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Flagstaff. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Flagstaff. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

You'll find nightlife and food around the fun-filled beach town of Cocoa Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

The picturesque city of Flagstaff offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

Cocoa Beach is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff, we can see that Flagstaff is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Flagstaff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Flagstaff than you might in Cocoa Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Flagstaff?

Flagstaff has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Flagstaff, 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.