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

Should you visit Milwaukee or Seattle?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milwaukee and Seattle 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.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a undiscovered, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and theater.

Milwaukee and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle. Although Milwaukee and Seattle are both popular with visitors, Seattle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Seattle is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Milwaukee is popular for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

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 Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for its theatre productions. However, Milwaukee is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Milwaukee is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Seattle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

Is Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a city with good options for the beache. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Seattle?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Milwaukee and Seattle.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Milwaukee. 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.

Many visitors go to Seattle to go shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Families?

Both Milwaukee and Seattle are good to visit with kids.

Milwaukee is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Couples?

Seattle is a city with good options for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for backpackers.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.

Is Milwaukee or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

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

Seattle 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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

Is Milwaukee or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Milwaukee and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seattle than in Milwaukee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Milwaukee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle 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 Seattle.

One day in Milwaukee or Seattle?

In Milwaukee, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Milwaukee or Seattle?

In Milwaukee, you'll find nightlife and shopping. 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 Milwaukee has to offer.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Milwaukee or Seattle?

Milwaukee 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the bustling city of Seattle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Milwaukee or Seattle?

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

Seattle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Seattle?

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

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 Milwaukee or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Milwaukee as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Milwaukee is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Milwaukee in July average around 74°F (23°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In the summer, Milwaukee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Milwaukee gets 321 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Milwaukee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In October, Milwaukee is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 53°F (12°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Milwaukee usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Milwaukee gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Milwaukee usually receives less rain than Seattle. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Milwaukee during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. Milwaukee is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Milwaukee often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Milwaukee gets 138 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Milwaukee usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Milwaukee and Seattle. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Milwaukee is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Milwaukee in April average around 47°F (8°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. Milwaukee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during spring. Milwaukee gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Seattle. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Milwaukee