A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tallahassee vs. South Lake Tahoe for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a youthful, lively, and vibrant city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Tallahassee travel costs.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is a idyllic, scenic, and breathtaking town. Many visitors also come to South Lake Tahoe because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the skiing, nightlife, and food. See South Lake Tahoe travel costs.

Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tourists will generally find more to do in South Lake Tahoe. Although Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe are both popular with visitors, South Lake Tahoe has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. South Lake Tahoe is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Tallahassee is known for its museums and attractions. South Lake Tahoe is more touristy than Tallahassee and is popular for its casino resorts, ski resorts, and beautiful setting. It is also home to the Heavenly Gondola. Tallahassee is popular for its capital building and many universities.

How is Tallahassee different from South Lake Tahoe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between South Lake Tahoe and Tallahassee. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Skiing?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is great for skiing. However, Tallahassee is not a skiing destination.

South Lake Tahoe draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. There are three ski resorts in the area. Heavenly Mountain Resort is the largest, but if you're looking for something smaller, head to Kirkwood, which is tucked away and less well known. There's also Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, which is popular with groups and families because it caters to a range of skill levels.

Tallahassee is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

Tallahassee is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, South Lake Tahoe is not a good town for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallahassee can be an interesting and educational experience. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital Museum.

While most people don't head to South Lake Tahoe specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time exploring the area's nature, but you can also stop by Tallac Historic Site or the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum.

Is the Food Better in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

South Lake Tahoe is becoming an appealing option for foodies. While most resorts have their own restaurants, there are a number of options around town that specialize in "alpine comfort cuisine", which is worth sampling. You'll also find plenty of cafes that serve up a hearty breakfast - the perfect way to start an active day.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Nightlife?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

South Lake Tahoe has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The resort town has plenty of nightclubs, bars, and music venues. There are outdoor options when the weather is warm as well as indoor settings for cooler weather. You'll also find casinos and live shows.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.


Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Resorts?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is great for its luxury resorts. However, Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

In South Lake Tahoe, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. It's a resort town, so there are plenty of options to choose from, many with pools, spas, or casinos.

Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Hiking?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is an amazing town to visit for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Around South Lake Tahoe visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are miles of beautiful hikes in the area that follow the lake's shore or explore the diverse terrain. Skyline Trail Hike is a favorite. It is accessible by lift and offers spectacular views. For a relaxing stroll check out Fallen Leaf Lake Hike.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

If you're looking to go shopping, Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe both offer plenty of good spots.

Tallahassee has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

South Lake Tahoe is a great destination for shopping. Most of the shopping involves retailers selling ski gear or outdoor equipment. There are also clothing shops, gift stores, and some art galleries.


Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe More Beautiful?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is an amazing town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Tallahassee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to South Lake Tahoe because of it's amazing beauty. The pristine lake and striking natural beauty can be appreciated any time of the year.

Tallahassee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Families?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

South Lake Tahoe is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Kids will love the outdoor adventures that the area is filled with. There are gondolas, lakefront beaches, adventure parks, and tubing. There are also miles of hiking trails and a beautiful setting that even the young ones will appreciate.

Tallahassee is a family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Couples?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

South Lake Tahoe is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's beautiful setting and wide variety of adventurous activities make this the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. The lake has hidden coves and nearby hiking trails. There are also hot springs, gondolas, and carriage rides. You can go hiking when the weather is warm or skiing when the weather is cold.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.


Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

For backpackers, both Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe are good places to visit.

Tallahassee is a good city to visit for backpackers. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Plenty of backpackers visit South Lake Tahoe. There are a couple of hostels in the area and the skiing and hiking attracts the backpacker crowd.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Students?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

Tallahassee is a well-known place for students. However, South Lake Tahoe is not popular with students.

Tallahassee is a great city to visit as a student. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

South Lake Tahoe is not popular with students.

Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Public transit is generally limited in South Lake Tahoe. While there are some shuttles and buses, if you really want to explore the area, you'll need your own car.


Is Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe a more walkable city?

Tallahassee
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is great for its ease of walking around. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its walkability.

South Lake Tahoe is a very walkable destination. Once you get to town, the area is very walkable.

Tallahassee is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallahassee Worth Visiting? and Is South Lake Tahoe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in South Lake Tahoe or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

In either Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in South Lake Tahoe than Tallahassee because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Tallahassee, and 3-5 days is enough time in South Lake Tahoe.

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

Couples should spend more time in South Lake Tahoe than Tallahassee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in South Lake Tahoe that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in South Lake Tahoe than Tallahassee 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 South Lake Tahoe.


  • How many days in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tallahassee 1-2 
    South Lake Tahoe 3-5

One day in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Tallahassee. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the breathtaking town of South Lake Tahoe. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the lively city of Tallahassee. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the breathtaking destination of South Lake Tahoe. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.


Five days in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tallahassee is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the idyllic town of South Lake Tahoe. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tallahassee is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting South Lake Tahoe. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, South Lake Tahoe or Tallahassee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Tallahassee Prices
    USA Prices
    South Lake Tahoe Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tallahassee $190
    South Lake Tahoe $146

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallahassee is $190, while the average daily cost in South Lake Tahoe is $146. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallahassee $89
    South Lake Tahoe $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallahassee $178
    South Lake Tahoe $108
Compare Hotels in Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe

Looking for a hotel in Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Tallahassee


Hotels in South Lake Tahoe


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tallahassee Hotel Prices and South Lake Tahoe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallahassee $33
    South Lake Tahoe $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Prices for flights to both South Lake Tahoe and Tallahassee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tallahassee $82
    South Lake Tahoe $66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Lake Tahoe

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in South Lake Tahoe.

  • Persian Cooking Class with Private Chef: $120
  • Lake Tahoe Evening Dinner Cruise: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallahassee $12
    South Lake Tahoe $56

Tours and Activities in Tallahassee

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tallahassee.

  • Treacherous Tallahassee Ghost Tours: $24
  • Luxury Picnic Experience at Pedrick Pond Park: $108
  • Experience Tranquility with a Picnic at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $215

Tours and Activities in South Lake Tahoe

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for South Lake Tahoe are as follows:

  • Clear Kayak Paddle Tour at Cave Rock: $110
  • "Lake Tahoe 101" : See The Whole Lake! 6 HR Shared Tour by Van.: $199
  • 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $140
  • 2-Hour Lake Tahoe Adventures ATV Tours in the Desert: $220
  • Clear Kayak Adventure Tour: $198
  • Clear Kayak Paddle Tour: $150
  • Clear Kayak Tour: $140
  • Driving Lake Tahoe: A Self-Guided Tour From Incline Village to South Lake Tahoe: $12
  • Eco Canoe Tour: $258
  • Electric Dirtbike Adventure in Lake Tahoe: $200
  • Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe: $139
  • Emerald Bay Private Boat Tours: $690

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallahassee $53
    South Lake Tahoe $34

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallahassee

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tallahassee:

  • Tallahassee Bar Crawl: $15

Sample the Local Flavors in South Lake Tahoe

Also in South Lake Tahoe, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Scavenger Adventure and Lake Tahoe Bar Crawl: $15
  • Lake Tahoe: Emerald Bay Sunset Wine Tasting Yacht Cruise: $150


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tallahassee Expensive? and Is South Lake Tahoe Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or South Lake Tahoe?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of South Lake Tahoe. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee and South Lake Tahoe, 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.