A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Atlanta for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a lively, fun, and party-hard beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

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.

Daytona Beach and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Daytona Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Atlanta is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Daytona Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, resorts, and beaches. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Atlanta and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Atlanta is famous 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.

How is Daytona Beach different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Atlanta is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Daytona Beach is a must-see party destination. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

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.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Atlanta is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Daytona Beach active and fun. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Atlanta is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Daytona Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach has a beach worth visiting. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Families?

Atlanta is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Atlanta make for a nice place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. 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 Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlanta is a popular place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlanta. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Daytona Beach is a great destination for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Students come from all over to stay in Atlanta. 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.

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

Atlanta is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Atlanta is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach 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.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Daytona Beach or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Atlanta due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

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

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

One day in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

In Daytona Beach, you'll find nightlife and live music. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This beach city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

In Daytona Beach, you'll find live music and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

Five days in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

Daytona Beach 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural big city of Atlanta. 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Daytona Beach. Many people enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting Daytona Beach. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Atlanta?

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 Daytona Beach or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Atlanta. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Atlanta in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Atlanta in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Atlanta. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Atlanta in the Autumn?

Both Atlanta and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Atlanta for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Atlanta averages at about 66°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Atlanta. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Daytona Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for 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.

In January, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Atlanta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Atlanta. The spring months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Atlanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Daytona Beach