A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cocoa Beach vs. Vernon for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

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 Vernon. 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vernon travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Vernon are popular destinations, Cocoa Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Vernon attracts visitors for its hiking. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Vernon and is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also well known for the Kennedy Space Center. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cocoa Beach can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Cocoa Beach is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for the beach. However, Vernon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cocoa Beach. 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

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

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.

Vernon is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is an amazing family-friendly beach town to visit. 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly beach town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Cocoa Beach is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few public transit options. 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Cocoa Beach or Vernon a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its 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.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable beach town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Vernon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Cocoa Beach than Vernon 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cocoa Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quiet town of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

Cocoa Beach 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Vernon. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The relaxing town of Vernon offers museums and food. 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventurous destination of Cocoa Beach. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Vernon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Vernon, 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 Cocoa Beach or Vernon?

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 Cocoa Beach or Vernon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Vernon. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Vernon because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Vernon. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Vernon in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Vernon in the winter. In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Vernon. The beaches are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Vernon. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Cocoa Beach