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

Should you visit Saint Simons or Niagara Falls?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Niagara Falls? 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 laid back, scenic, and relaxing island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Saint Simons is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking. See Saint Simons 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 Simons and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Simons. Although Saint Simons and Niagara Falls are popular destinations, Saint Simons has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Simons is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Niagara Falls attracts visitors for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Saint Simons and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. Saint Simons is famous for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. It is also well known for East Beach.

How is Saint Simons 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 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 Niagara Falls?

Both Saint Simons and Niagara Falls have reasonable 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 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 Simons or Niagara Falls? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Simons 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 Simons. 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.

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 Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

Niagara Falls is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Niagara Falls has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its resorts. However, Niagara Falls is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Simons makes a nice vacation spot. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Niagara Falls is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Beaches?

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

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Niagara Falls is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive 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 Niagara Falls?

Saint Simons 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 Simons is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Simons or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saint Simons 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 Simons is a beautiful place to visit, too. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Is Saint Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Niagara Falls is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Simons is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Saint Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Saint Simons and Niagara Falls make for a high quality 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.

Niagara Falls is a great island 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 Simons or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Niagara Falls is a popular place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

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

Niagara Falls is a popular place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island 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 quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Saint Simons or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Saint Simons and Niagara Falls both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

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

How long in Saint Simons or Niagara Falls?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Simons than Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

One day in Saint Simons or Niagara Falls?

Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

In Niagara Falls, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this impressive city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Simons. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This island 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the impressive destination of Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls?

Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Niagara Falls 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Niagara Falls, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons 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 Simons Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Simons 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 Simons or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Niagara Falls. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Simons is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Simons 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 Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during summer. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons 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 Simons or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Niagara Falls. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons 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 Simons this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

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

In January, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons 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 Simons or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Simons during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Saint Simons is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Simons 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 Simons. In the spring, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Saint Simons