A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Blue Ridge for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

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 Jacksonville and Blue Ridge. 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a quaint, charming, and outdoorsy town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Jacksonville and Blue Ridge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Blue Ridge, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Blue Ridge is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Blue Ridge is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Blue Ridge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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 Jacksonville or Blue Ridge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Blue Ridge makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Jacksonville has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Jacksonville for it's beautiful beaches. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. 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.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Jacksonville and Blue Ridge.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Blue Ridge is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge More Beautiful?

Blue Ridge is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. 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.

Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Blue Ridge. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

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

Blue Ridge is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Blue Ridge. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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

Is Jacksonville or Blue Ridge a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Blue Ridge are notable when it comes to walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Blue Ridge or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

In either Jacksonville or Blue Ridge, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge than Jacksonville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 2-5 days is enough time in Blue Ridge.

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

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

One day in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

With museums and nightlife around the fun city of Jacksonville, 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Blue Ridge is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

Jacksonville 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.

Blue Ridge is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Blue Ridge, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Blue Ridge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Blue Ridge?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 680 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville or Blue Ridge in the Summer?

Both Blue Ridge and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Blue Ridge averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

Both Blue Ridge and Jacksonville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Blue Ridge. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Blue Ridge can get quite cold in the winter. Jacksonville is much warmer than Blue Ridge in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Blue Ridge. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Blue Ridge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Blue Ridge averages at about 62°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 Jacksonville this time of the year. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 243 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in April than Blue Ridge. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Jacksonville