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

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga? 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 energetic, lively, and fun beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and live music. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Daytona Beach and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Daytona Beach than Chattanooga. While Chattanooga is larger than Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Chattanooga attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Chattanooga and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also well known for The Daytona International Speedway. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Daytona Beach different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chattanooga is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chattanooga. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Chattanooga is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chattanooga area. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

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 Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Daytona Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Daytona Beach or Chattanooga Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for the beach. However, Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Chattanooga is a popular spot for hiking. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga to go shopping. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

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 Chattanooga Better for Families?

Chattanooga is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Chattanooga is a family-friendly place to visit. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

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 Chattanooga Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Daytona Beach or Chattanooga Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. 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.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Chattanooga offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

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 Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Chattanooga is a very walkable destination. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

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 Chattanooga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Chattanooga. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chattanooga than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Chattanooga.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.

One day in Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic beach city of Daytona Beach. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting the energetic destination of Daytona Beach. This beach city offers something for everyone. 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 Chattanooga. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Chattanooga?

The fun beach city of Daytona Beach offers nightlife and live music. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling destination of Chattanooga. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Chattanooga?

Many people enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting Daytona Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Chattanooga. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Chattanooga, we can see that Daytona Beach is more expensive. And not only is Chattanooga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chattanooga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.

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 Chattanooga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Chattanooga. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.

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

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chattanooga. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Chattanooga. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Chattanooga. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga in the Winter?

Both Chattanooga and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Chattanooga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chattanooga can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Chattanooga in the Spring?

Both Chattanooga and Daytona Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Chattanooga in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Chattanooga. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Daytona Beach