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

Should you visit Saint Simons or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Vernon? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a peaceful, relaxing, and quiet town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Saint Simons and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Vernon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Vernon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Vernon is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Saint Simons is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach. Vernon is well known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Saint Simons different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon 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 Vernon?

Vernon is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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 Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Simons is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Simons or Vernon 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.

Vernon doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is a well-known place for the beach. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon 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 Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

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 Vernon?

Saint Simons is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon More Beautiful?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Families?

Saint Simons is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Simons is known to be 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly island. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Saint Simons or Vernon Better for Couples?

Saint Simons is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Vernon is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

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

Is Saint Simons or Vernon a more walkable city?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town 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.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable island. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Vernon?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Saint Simons than Vernon 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 Saint Simons.

One day in Saint Simons or Vernon?

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Vernon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this peaceful town 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 town.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Vernon?

Saint Simons is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Simons. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the peaceful destination of Vernon. 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 Vernon?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Vernon, we can see that Saint Simons is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Vernon. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Simons is generally a little warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 82°F (28°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Vernon. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Vernon. 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 Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Saint Simons is much warmer than Vernon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Simons is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Simons in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Vernon averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Vernon. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Saint Simons during the spring are popular places to visit. 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 much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 68°F (20°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Saint Simons