A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dallas vs. Milwaukee for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dallas or Milwaukee?

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 Dallas and Milwaukee can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a welcoming, undiscovered, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Dallas or Milwaukee?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dallas than Milwaukee. Dallas is bigger than Milwaukee, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum. Milwaukee is well known for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Dallas different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dallas or Milwaukee?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dallas. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.


Is the Food Better in Dallas or Milwaukee? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Dallas has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Dallas or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Dallas has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Milwaukee?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Dallas is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Many visitors go to Milwaukee to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.


Is Dallas or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Dallas is very family-friendly. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Dallas or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Dallas or Milwaukee Better for Students?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Milwaukee is very good for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Milwaukee is a good city to visit for students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.


Is Dallas or Milwaukee Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Dallas is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Dallas or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Dallas
Milwaukee

Milwaukee is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Milwaukee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dallas or Milwaukee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dallas than Milwaukee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-2 days is enough time in Milwaukee.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas than Milwaukee 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 Dallas.


  • How many days in Dallas or Milwaukee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dallas 2-4 
    Milwaukee 1-2

One day in Dallas or Milwaukee?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dallas. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Milwaukee. One day is often enough time to do most activities.


A weekend in Dallas or Milwaukee?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Dallas. 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.

Milwaukee 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.

Five days in Dallas or Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the chic city of Dallas. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milwaukee. 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.

A week in Dallas or Milwaukee?

Dallas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Milwaukee. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Dallas?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dallas is $141, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 Dallas and Milwaukee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dallas $84
    Milwaukee $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dallas $168
    Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Dallas and Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Dallas or Milwaukee? 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 Dallas


Hotels in Milwaukee


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: Dallas Hotel Prices and Milwaukee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dallas $28
    Milwaukee $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Transfer private car from Dallas Airport (DAL) - City Center: $71
  • Transfer in private minivan from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DFW): $69
  • Transfer in private minivan from Dallas Airport (DFW) - City Center: $69
  • Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DAL): $71
  • RoundtripTransfer Executive Private Car Dallas Airport (DFW) -Dallas City Center: $120
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Dallas Airport (DAL) - Dallas City Center: $181
  • Private Transfer from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $127
  • Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury SUV: $127
  • Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Business Car: $105
  • Private Transfer Fort Worth Airport DFW to Downtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $92
  • Private Transfer Downtown Dallas to Fort Worth Airport DFW Luxury Vehicle: $92
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee

Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer : $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Dallas or Milwaukee?

Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and Dallas 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
    Dallas $35
    Milwaukee $52
Typical Food Prices in Dallas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.

  • West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
  • Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
  • Discover Downtown Dallas Food Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • JFK Food & Culture Walking Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Family Fun Food Tour: $80
  • Local Food Tour: $98
  • Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dallas $13
    Milwaukee $26

Tours and Activities in Dallas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:

  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour: $28
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour : $28
  • 2 Hour Festive Walk Tour in Dallas: $249
  • 2-Hour Historic Dallas Segway Tour: $79
  • 2hr Dallas Mural tour on Talking E-Bike - Ride it yourself : $60
  • 3-Hour Ropes Course & Zip Line Adventure : $60
  • 3hr Dallas Cowboys Stadium Small Group Tour with Transportation: $108
  • Combination Southfork Ranch and Dallas/JFK Highlights Tour: $145
  • Create Your Own Dallas and Fort Worth Combination Tour: $146
  • Dallas Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $114
  • Dallas Stars Ice Hockey Game Ticket at American Airlines Center: $35
  • Dallas Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30

Tours and Activities in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum: $5.00
  • The Grand Milwaukee Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • The Grand Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour through Milwaukee: $6.99
  • Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $8.21
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Milwaukee by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
  • Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $11
  • Shakers Original Historical Ghost Tour: $20
  • Skip The Line: Harley-Davidson Museum Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option: $22
  • Macabre Milwaukee Walking Tour: $26
  • Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Milwaukee Bucks Basketball Game Ticket at Fiserv Forum: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dallas $12
    Milwaukee $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

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

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
  • Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55

Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee

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

  • Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dallas or Milwaukee?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Milwaukee. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Milwaukee, 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 Dallas or Milwaukee?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dallas or Milwaukee in the Summer?

Both Milwaukee and Dallas during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Milwaukee in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Dallas is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the summer, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milwaukee. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Milwaukee. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dallas 88°F (31°C) 
    Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Milwaukee. Many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Dallas is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dallas 69°F (21°C) 
    Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Milwaukee in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Milwaukee. Most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Milwaukee can be very cold. In January, Dallas is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dallas 46°F (8°C) 
    Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Milwaukee in the Spring?

Both Milwaukee and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

Dallas is much warmer than Milwaukee in the spring. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

It's quite sunny in Milwaukee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dallas 68°F (20°C) 
    Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Dallas

Dallas Milwaukee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Mar 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 47°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Sep 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 41°F (5°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Dec 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)