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

Should you visit Marathon or Providence?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Providence, 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. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Marathon travel costs.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Providence travel costs.

Marathon and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marathon or Providence?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marathon than Providence, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marathon is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Providence is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Marathon is more touristy than Providence and is known for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. Also, Marathon is famous for The Dolphin Research Center. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Marathon different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Providence is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Marathon is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Providence. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Marathon. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Resorts?

Marathon is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Providence is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Marathon to choose from. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marathon is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Marathon. 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.

Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Marathon for it's beautiful beaches. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marathon or Providence?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marathon or Providence More Beautiful?

Marathon is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence 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.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Families?

Marathon is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Couples?

Marathon is a great island for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Marathon is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Marathon or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Marathon is not popular with students.

Providence is a great city to visit as a student. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Marathon is not popular with students.

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

Providence is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marathon is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

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

Is Marathon or Providence a more walkable city?

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

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy 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 Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Marathon?

How long in Marathon or Providence?

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

Families should spend more time in Marathon than Providence. 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 Providence. 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 Providence 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 Providence.

One day in Marathon or Providence?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the beautiful island of Marathon, 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.

The city of Providence offers food and shopping. 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 Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marathon, 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.

Providence 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Providence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marathon or Providence?

Marathon, a popular island, 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 island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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 Providence?

Marathon 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Providence?

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

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 Marathon or Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marathon is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Providence during summer. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marathon usually receives more rain than Providence. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marathon or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence and Marathon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marathon in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Providence for the shopping scene during these months.

Marathon is much warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the autumn, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Providence. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually gets more rain in October than Providence. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Providence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Providence. Most visitors come to Marathon for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Providence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Providence can be very cold. In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Providence during winter. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marathon usually receives less rain than Providence. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marathon or Providence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Providence. The spring months attract visitors to Marathon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marathon is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the spring, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Providence. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in April than Providence. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Providence and Marathon