A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Augustine vs. Niagara Falls for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a notable, colonial, and historic city. Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a iconic, breathtaking, and impressive city. Niagara Falls is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls are popular destinations, Saint Augustine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Augustine is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Niagara Falls attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. Saint Augustine is famous for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter.

How is Saint Augustine different from Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Saint Augustine is notable for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Augustine. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Niagara Falls is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Niagara Falls has a few options to choose from. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is notable for the beach. However, Niagara Falls is not a beach destination.

Saint Augustine is considered a top beach destination. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Niagara Falls is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Niagara Falls does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Niagara Falls does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Niagara Falls. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Saint Augustine is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Saint Augustine is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

Niagara Falls is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Niagara Falls is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Saint Augustine frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Niagara Falls is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Niagara Falls is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Niagara Falls is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Niagara Falls, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Niagara Falls Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Niagara Falls. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-3 days is enough time in Niagara Falls.

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

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

One day in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The iconic destination of Niagara Falls offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Niagara Falls offers shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Niagara Falls is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Augustine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Niagara Falls. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls, 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 Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls?

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 Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Augustine in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Niagara Falls. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Augustine is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 70°F (21°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.

It's quite cold in Niagara Falls in the winter. Saint Augustine is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Augustine in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Saint Augustine