A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Minneapolis vs. Santa Cruz for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Santa Cruz, 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.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a dynamic, innovative, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Minneapolis and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Minneapolis than Santa Cruz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Minneapolis is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Minneapolis and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Minneapolis is famous for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also well known for Mall of America.

How is Minneapolis different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Minneapolis is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Minneapolis and Santa Cruz both to be nice destinations.

Minneapolis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santa Cruz area. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Minneapolis and Santa Cruz.

Minneapolis has a large number of nightlife venues. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for the beache. However, Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Minneapolis is very popular for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Minneapolis is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Minneapolis and Santa Cruz are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Minneapolis is very family-friendly. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Santa Cruz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Minneapolis is a good city for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Minneapolis is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Minneapolis has a few public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Minneapolis or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Minneapolis 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the dynamic city of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town 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.

Five days in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Minneapolis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The scenic town of Santa Cruz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

A week in Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Minneapolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Santa Cruz, 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 Minneapolis or Santa Cruz?

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 Minneapolis or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Minneapolis is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 76°F (25°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Minneapolis is much colder than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Minneapolis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. In the winter, Minneapolis is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Minneapolis in January average around 15°F (-10°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Minneapolis usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Santa Cruz. The activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In April, Minneapolis is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 49°F (10°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Minneapolis