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

Should you visit Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Blue Ridge can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Key Largo and Blue Ridge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Key Largo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Key Largo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Blue Ridge is well known for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest.

How is Key Largo different from Blue Ridge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Blue Ridge is adequate for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Blue Ridge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Blue Ridge is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Blue Ridge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Blue Ridge has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Key Largo to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a good destination for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is great for hiking. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

Blue Ridge is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge More Beautiful?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Families?

Key Largo is an amazing island 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, Key Largo is very family-friendly. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly island. 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 Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is great for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Blue Ridge is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Neither Key Largo or Blue Ridge offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

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

Is Key Largo or Blue Ridge a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Blue Ridge or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Key Largo. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

Key Largo, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

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

Blue Ridge is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Blue Ridge?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Blue Ridge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Blue Ridge. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during summer. Key Largo gets 316 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. Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key Largo or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Blue Ridge. Additionally, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 78°F (26°C), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 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 Key Largo this time of the year. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

Both Blue Ridge and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Key Largo in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Blue Ridge can be very cold during winter. Key Largo is much warmer than Blue Ridge in the winter. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during winter. Key Largo gets 243 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, Key Largo usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key Largo or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

Both Blue Ridge and Key Largo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Key Largo is a little warmer than Blue Ridge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key Largo in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Blue Ridge averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the spring, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 300 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. Key Largo usually gets less rain in April than Blue Ridge. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Key Largo