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

Should you visit Panama City or Chattanooga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City 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.

Panama City

Panama City is a cosmopolitan, fun-filled, and active beach town. Panama City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Panama City travel costs.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a thriving, bustling, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Panama City and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Chattanooga are both popular with visitors, Panama City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Panama City is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Chattanooga is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Panama City is more touristy than Chattanooga and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also home to Pier Park. Chattanooga is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Panama City different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Chattanooga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Chattanooga can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Panama City. There are many waterfront restaurants that serve freshly caught seafood. Head to town for a charming atmosphere or grab a bite at a casual eatery. Fried seafood is popular when eating out but you'll also find plenty of options for land-lovers. Most restaurants also have kid-friendly menus.

Chattanooga is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Panama City know how to have a good time. The nightlife is particular crazy during spring break, when the town fills with students. Head to the famous Club La Vela or Spinnaker for music and fun at night.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. 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 Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Panama City is active and vibrant. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a few great resort options. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

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

Panama City is considered a top beach destination. With miles of long white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, this area's beaches offer a beautiful escape. Head to the area's state parks for the most natural experience. These include St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park. A day trip to Shell Island is also popular.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chattanooga. 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.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Chattanooga and Panama City.

Panama City offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Chattanooga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga More Beautiful?

Panama City is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Chattanooga is not a destination known for its beauty.

Panama City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With beautiful sand and blue water, Panama City is a beautiful spot for people who enjoy city beaches.

Chattanooga is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Panama City is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Panama City is a very family-friendly destination. This area has large sandy beaches, waterparks, amusement parks, and marine parks. Kids will enjoy playing around at WonderWorks, cooling off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and learning about marine life at Gulf World Marine Park. There are also many watersports and water activities that are fun for the whole family.

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 Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Panama City frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful beaches and romantic restaurants make for a great romantic getaway. This is the perfect place to take sunset walks along the beach and sample freshly caught local seafood.

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 Panama City or Chattanooga Better for Students?

Panama City is a great destination for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Panama City is a very popular beach town for students and younger travelers. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is a great destination for its public transit. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chattanooga can get you around easily. 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 mostly limited in Panama City. Most people need a car in Panama City but there is a trolley service that connects major tourist areas.

Is Panama City or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Panama City is not a very walkable beach town. There's often construction and the streets aren't designed for pedestrians.

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

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Chattanooga?

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

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A weekend in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the active destination of Panama City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Chattanooga. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

The outdoorsy city of Chattanooga offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Panama City or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Panama City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chattanooga. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City 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 Panama City or Chattanooga?

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 Panama City or Chattanooga in the Summer?

Both Chattanooga and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. It's quite rainy in Panama City. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Panama City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and 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.

In October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Chattanooga in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Chattanooga. The winter months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, 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. Panama City is much warmer than Chattanooga in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Panama City usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Chattanooga. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the spring, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Panama City usually gets less rain in April than Chattanooga. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Panama City