A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure? 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a beautiful, peaceful, and active recreation area. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking. See Chimney Rock and Lake Lure travel costs.

Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is more popular for its hiking. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is well known for its beautiful views and fun outdoor activities.

How is Saint Simons different from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Both Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure have respectable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Saint Simons offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

While most people don't head to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There's a museum in Chimney Rock State Park, but most visitors spend their time taking advantage of the outdoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Simons is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Saint Simons is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Within Chimney Rock Park there's a deli and a cafe. Nearby you'll also find casual eateries with pizza or classic American dishes.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Simons is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most people head into nearby Asheville for the best nightlife.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a island with good options for its resorts. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is a great destination for the beach. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Saint Simons attract visitors from all over. 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Hiking?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. One of the most popular trails in Chimney Rock State Park is The Exclamation Point Trail , which leads to many viewpoints. During the summer and fall seasons the trail can get very crowded. The obvious highlight in the park is Chimney Rock, which is a rock outcropping that offers spectacular views.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Simons. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Saint Simons is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a good destination for shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers in the area, but for the best shopping, head over to Asheville.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure More Beautiful?

Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure both are comparable with their notable scenery and beauty.

Saint Simons is a gorgeous place to visit. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a beautiful place to visit, too. From the top of Chimney Rock there's an impressive view point. The area is also filled with natural beauty and peaceful settings.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is very family-friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area. Head to sliding rock for a fun afternoon. There's also tubing, kayaking, and river rafting nearby. Horseback riding is a fun way to explore a trail, or simply hiking on one of the many paths in the area. You'll also find ziplining and plenty of water activities at the lake.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure make for a excellent place to visit.

Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. There are romantic hotels as well as bed and breakfasts that make for a romantic retreat. Couples who enjoy beautiful outdoor settings and fun adventures will enjoy a weekend trip to the area. There are also local restaurants and a few wineries to explore.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. There are several great campgrounds and plenty of hiking trails that make this a nice budget or backpacker getaway.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure offer decent public transit.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. There is limited public transit in the area.

Is Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure a more walkable city?

Saint Simons is a island with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a very walkable island. The trails and parks in the region are spread out and require a car to access.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Simons than in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

One day in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, many people enjoy the that this beautiful recreation area offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this recreation area.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Since Saint Simons is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This island offers something for everyone.

You'll find around the peaceful destination of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, we can see that Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, 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.