A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Baltimore vs. San Antonio for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Baltimore or San Antonio?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and San Antonio can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a festive, fun, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Baltimore than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Baltimore, Baltimore has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Baltimore is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while San Antonio attracts visitors for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Baltimore is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium. San Antonio is famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is Baltimore different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Baltimore and San Antonio.

Many visitors head to Baltimore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to San Antonio can be an interesting and educational experience. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Is the Food Better in Baltimore or San Antonio? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Baltimore makes for a great culinary experience. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Baltimore know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is very good for its live music scene. However, Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is very good for its old town. However, Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to San Antonio to see the old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Baltimore is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Baltimore is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is very good for its Christmas activities. However, Baltimore does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio offers some nice Christmas activities. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Baltimore does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Antonio is one of the most popular family destinations. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Both Baltimore and San Antonio are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

San Antonio is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a good destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Students?

San Antonio is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is a great destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Baltimore can move around easily with public transportation. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Baltimore or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Baltimore is very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Baltimore and San Antonio. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Baltimore than San Antonio. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than San Antonio 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 Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Baltimore. 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.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of San Antonio. 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.

A weekend in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Baltimore. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of San Antonio. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Baltimore or San Antonio?

The vibrant city of Baltimore offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the festive city of San Antonio. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Baltimore or San Antonio?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

San Antonio is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Baltimore. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and San Antonio, 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 Baltimore or San Antonio?

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 Baltimore or San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Baltimore is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 78°F (25°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. In July, Baltimore usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baltimore or San Antonio in the Autumn?

Both San Antonio and Baltimore during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Baltimore is much colder than San Antonio in the autumn. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than San Antonio. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets less rain in October than San Antonio. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and San Antonio. The winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. In the winter, Baltimore is much colder than San Antonio. Typically, the winter temperatures in Baltimore in January average around 32°F (0°C), and San Antonio averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during winter. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Baltimore usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baltimore or San Antonio in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as San Antonio. The activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty.

In April, Baltimore is generally much colder than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 54°F (12°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In the spring, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Baltimore