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

Should you visit Memphis or San Antonio?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or San Antonio, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Memphis

Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, museums, and nightlife.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a fun, historic, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Memphis and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or San Antonio?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Memphis than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Memphis, Memphis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Memphis is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while San Antonio is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. San Antonio is more touristy than Memphis and is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is Memphis different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Antonio is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

Foodies will find both Memphis and San Antonio both to be notable destinations.

Memphis is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

San Antonio offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Memphis or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Memphis know how to have a good time. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

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 Memphis or San Antonio Better for Music?

Memphis is an unbeatable place for live music. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its live music scene.

Memphis is a world class music destination. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Is Memphis or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Memphis does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio has an old town worth visiting. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Memphis does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or San Antonio?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.

San Antonio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Memphis does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio worth visiting during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Memphis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Memphis or San Antonio Better for Families?

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

San Antonio is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Is Memphis or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Memphis and San Antonio are both notable to visit as a couple.

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. 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 Memphis or San Antonio Better for Students?

For students, both Memphis and San Antonio are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Memphis. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

San Antonio is a good city to visit for 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.

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

Memphis and San Antonio both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Public transit is generally 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 Memphis or San Antonio a more walkable city?

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

Memphis is somewhat walkable. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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 Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or San Antonio?

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

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

One day in Memphis or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the soulful city of Memphis. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

In San Antonio, you'll find shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Memphis or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the soulful destination of Memphis. 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.

In San Antonio, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Antonio has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or San Antonio?

The creative city of Memphis offers food 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.

San Antonio is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Memphis or San Antonio?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Antonio. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting San Antonio. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Memphis and San Antonio, we can see that Memphis 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 Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis 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 Memphis Expensive? and Is San Antonio Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Memphis or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Memphis. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis or San Antonio?

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 Memphis or San Antonio in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Memphis as well as San Antonio. Many travelers come to Memphis for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to San Antonio in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Memphis is around the same temperature as San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Memphis in July average around 83°F (29°C), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In the summer, Memphis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets more rain in July than San Antonio. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or San Antonio in the Autumn?

Both San Antonio and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Memphis in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Memphis is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 64°F (18°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during autumn. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Memphis usually receives less rain than San Antonio. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Memphis or San Antonio in the Winter?

Both San Antonio and Memphis during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Memphis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Memphis can be very cold during winter. Memphis is much colder than San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the winter, Memphis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets more rain in January than San Antonio. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or San Antonio in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and San Antonio. The spring months attract visitors to Memphis because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

In the spring, Memphis is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Memphis in April average around 64°F (18°C), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Memphis usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during spring. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

Memphis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Memphis usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Memphis