A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Simons or Arlington?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Arlington? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Arlington travel costs.

Saint Simons and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Saint Simons different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Arlington is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Saint Simons or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Saint Simons and Arlington can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Simons makes for a great culinary experience. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Arlington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a great destination for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Simons. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington More Beautiful?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Families?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Simons. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Couples?

Saint Simons is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Simons makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a great destination for students. However, Saint Simons is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Saint Simons is not popular with students.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Saint Simons or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Simons or Arlington. In our opinion, Saint Simons has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Simons than Arlington. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Saint Simons 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 Arlington.

One day in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

In Arlington, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this international city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arlington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the international destination of Arlington. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint Simons or Arlington?

Saint Simons is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Arlington is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Arlington, 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 Simons or Arlington?

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 Saint Simons or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Simons is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Simons usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

Saint Simons is a little warmer than Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Saint Simons during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Simons is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Simons in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Arlington. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Simons is generally a little warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 68°F (20°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Saint Simons