A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Islamorada vs. Blue Ridge for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Islamorada or Blue Ridge, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a adventurous, relaxing, and tropical village. Islamorada is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Islamorada travel costs.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a outdoorsy, historic, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Blue Ridge is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Islamorada and Blue Ridge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Islamorada. Although Islamorada and Blue Ridge are both popular with visitors, Islamorada has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Islamorada is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Blue Ridge is known for its hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Islamorada is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is known for its sportfishing, state parks, and local vibe. It is also home to Theater of the Sea. Blue Ridge is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Islamorada different from Blue Ridge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Islamorada is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Islamorada is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a variety of museums and aquariums in the area such as the History of Diving Museum, the Keys History and Discovery Center, and the famous Theater of the Sea.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Islamorada or Blue Ridge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Islamorada and Blue Ridge.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Islamorada. Has a sports fishing destination, you'll find no shortage of seafood options in the area. There are cafes and bistros that have an old school Florida Key's atmosphere. Popular dishes include grilled fish and curry seafood.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Islamorada and Blue Ridge.

If you're looking for night time activities Islamorada has a few options to choose from. The nightlife consists of mostly bars and restaurants that serve cocktails and frozen drinks. There are sports bars and casual eateries where you can enjoy a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Resorts?

Islamorada is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Islamorada has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find plenty of resorts with spas, pools or oceanfront views in the area.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Islamorada is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Islamorada. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and dive trips to the surrounding areas. You could also grab a mask and head out into the water on your own. You're sure to see some beautiful marine life.

Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Beaches?

Islamorada is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Islamorada for it's beautiful beaches. Blue water and white sand make the beaches a true paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Anne's Beach, which has a boardwalk and mangroves, Library Beach, which is small and well maintained, Holiday Isle Beach, which is near the hotels and restaurants, and Long Key State Park, which has camping and picnic spots.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is a great town for hiking. However, Islamorada is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Islamorada is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Blue Ridge is a great town for shopping. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Islamorada offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a few jewelry boutiques as well as sporting goods shops and souvenir stands.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge More Beautiful?

Islamorada is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Islamorada is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Striking blue water and white sand make this a truly tropical paradise. You can sip frozen drinks and relax in the sun as your troubles slip away.

Blue Ridge is a beautiful place to visit, too. There are plenty of hikes to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. There's also a scenic railroad as well as places to kayak or go horseback riding.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Families?

Islamorada is an amazing village to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Islamorada is very family-friendly. Theater of the Sea is a highlight for kids and adults alike. You'll have the opportunity to interact with many types of sea life including dolphins, sea lions, and even sharks. Founders Park is another great place to take the kids. You can have a picnic, hang out at the beach, or hit up the playground. There's also plenty of snorkeling and diving in the area, particularly around Alligator Reef Lighthouse.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly village. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Couples?

Islamorada is an amazing village to visit for romance. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Islamorada is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the resorts, spas, beaches, and adventures in the area. Head to Little Palm Spa for a little relaxation or hit up Florida Keys Brewing Company for some live music. There's also snorkeling, diving, and some good restaurants nearby as well.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Islamorada is not known for backpackers.

Blue Ridge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Islamorada is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels on this key and prices in general can be a bit high so backpackers will find it a bit challenging.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Islamorada or Blue Ridge offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Islamorada. There's no real public transit in the area and you must have your own vehicle.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Islamorada or Blue Ridge a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Islamorada is not known for its high level of walkability.

Blue Ridge is somewhat walkable. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

Islamorada is not a walkable village. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, it's not very walkable and you'll need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Islamorada Worth Visiting? and Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Blue Ridge or Islamorada?

How long in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

In either Islamorada or Blue Ridge, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Islamorada than Blue Ridge because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Islamorada, and 2-5 days is enough time in Blue Ridge.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Islamorada 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the tropical village of Islamorada, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Islamorada, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Islamorada, a popular village, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this village. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Blue Ridge, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Islamorada is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this village makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this village has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Blue Ridge is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

Islamorada has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Islamorada and Blue Ridge, 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 Islamorada or Blue Ridge?

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 Islamorada or Blue Ridge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamorada and Blue Ridge. Many travelers come to Islamorada for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Islamorada is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamorada averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamorada usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during summer. Islamorada gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Islamorada usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Islamorada or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Islamorada as well as Blue Ridge. Many visitors come to Islamorada in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Islamorada is much warmer than Blue Ridge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamorada in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Blue Ridge averages at about 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamorada often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun.

Islamorada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Islamorada usually gets more rain in October than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Islamorada is June to November.

Should I visit Islamorada or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

Both Blue Ridge and Islamorada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Islamorada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Blue Ridge can be very cold. In January, Islamorada is generally much warmer than Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Islamorada average around 70°F (21°C), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. Islamorada usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during winter. Islamorada gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. In January, Islamorada usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Islamorada or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

Both Blue Ridge and Islamorada during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

Islamorada is much warmer than Blue Ridge in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamorada averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamorada. In the spring, Islamorada often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 243 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Islamorada usually gets less rain in April than Blue Ridge. Islamorada gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Islamorada.

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Islamorada