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

Should you visit Marathon or Chattanooga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Chattanooga, 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.

Marathon

Marathon is a quaint, beautiful, and relaxing island. With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife. See Marathon travel costs.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a outdoorsy, thriving, and bustling city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Marathon and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Chattanooga than Marathon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chattanooga is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping, while Marathon is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Marathon is more touristy than Chattanooga and is popular for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. Chattanooga is well known for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Also, Chattanooga is famous for Rock City.

How is Marathon different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marathon and Chattanooga offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Marathon. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Chattanooga. 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.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Marathon and Chattanooga.

If you're looking for night time activities Marathon has a few options to choose from. Popular nightlife venues include JJ’s Dog House & Sports Bar, Brass Monkey, and Cabana Club.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Chattanooga. 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 Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Marathon is a great destination for its resorts. However, Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Marathon is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marathon is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Chattanooga is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Marathon has a few good snorkeling spots. There are many dive shops around Marathon and the area has dive spots that are great for every level. Some of the best sites are Sombrero Reef, Coffins Patch, and Thunderbolt wreck. There are also many snorkeling trips that head out to Sombrero Reef.

Chattanooga is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

Marathon is a great destination for the beach. However, Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Marathon is considered a top beach destination. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is great for hiking. However, Marathon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga for the hiking trails. 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.

Marathon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. 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.

Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga More Beautiful?

Marathon is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Chattanooga is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. The waters are blue and the setting is peaceful, making this area truly beautiful.

Chattanooga is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Marathon is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Marathon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy getting face-to-face with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Families can also explore Pigeon Key or play in the water at Sombrero Beach. Families will find no shortage of activities on the island.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Marathon is a great destination for couples. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Marathon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With beautiful views, 7 Mile Bridge, and plenty of activities, this area makes a romantic destination for couples. There are beaches and waterfront spots that offer a romantic setting for couples.

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

Chattanooga is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Marathon is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Chattanooga is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 limited or non-existant in Marathon. There's no real public transportation in town. A car is essential.

Is Marathon or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is great for its walkability. However, Marathon is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Marathon is generally not very walkable. Shops and restaurants and spread out along a central road, making walking difficult to impossible.

For even more information, also check out Is Marathon Worth Visiting? and Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Marathon?

How long in Marathon or Chattanooga?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chattanooga than Marathon 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 Marathon or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint island of Marathon. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Marathon. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Chattanooga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chattanooga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the quaint island of Marathon. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marathon or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Marathon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Marathon and Chattanooga, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon 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 Marathon or Chattanooga?

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 Marathon or Chattanooga in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Marathon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marathon is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the summer, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Marathon usually gets less rain in July than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marathon for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Marathon is much warmer than Chattanooga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during autumn. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Marathon. In October, Marathon usually receives more rain than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marathon or Chattanooga in the Winter?

Both Chattanooga and Marathon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Marathon because of the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 40°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the winter, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marathon usually gets less rain in January than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Chattanooga. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.

In April, Marathon is generally much warmer than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during spring. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Marathon usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Marathon