A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Everglades National Park vs. Sarasota for Families, Attractions, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

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 Everglades National Park and Sarasota can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a wild, pristine, and adventure-filled national park. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Everglades National Park and Sarasota: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarasota. Although Everglades National Park and Sarasota are both popular with visitors, Sarasota has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sarasota is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Everglades National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Everglades National Park is popular for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum.

How is Everglades National Park different from Sarasota?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Sarasota is a great city for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Sarasota specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Sarasota? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sarasota is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sarasota is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is very good for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Sarasota has a few options to choose from. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is very good for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sarasota to enjoy the beach. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park is great for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Sarasota is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Sarasota has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Families?

Sarasota is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

Sarasota is one of the most popular family destinations. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Couples?

Both Everglades National Park and Sarasota are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Everglades National Park is a good national park for couples to visit. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Sarasota is a nice destination for couples. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Sarasota a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park and Sarasota are decent when it comes to walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Sarasota Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sarasota or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Sarasota than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sarasota that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarasota than Everglades National Park 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 Sarasota.

One day in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

The national park of Everglades National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With food and shopping around the underrated city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Everglades National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Everglades National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With shopping and museums around the entertaining destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

Everglades National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park offers something for everyone.

Sarasota is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

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

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

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Sarasota?

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 Everglades National Park or Sarasota in the Summer?

Both Sarasota and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Everglades National Park is generally around the same temperature as Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 82°F (28°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Sarasota during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. It's quite rainy in Everglades National Park. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sarasota in the Autumn?

Both Sarasota and Everglades National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the shopping scene.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the autumn. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Sarasota fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 234 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sarasota in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Sarasota. The winter months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

In the winter, Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Sarasota. Typically, the winter temperatures in Everglades National Park in January average around 67°F (19°C), and Sarasota averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Sarasota during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sarasota in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Sarasota. The natural beauty are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches.

In April, Everglades National Park is generally around the same temperature as Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 74°F (24°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 299 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Sarasota. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Sarasota and Everglades National Park