A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Chattanooga for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Chattanooga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a outdoorsy, thriving, and bustling city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Saint Louis and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chattanooga than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Chattanooga, Chattanooga has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chattanooga is better known for its hiking, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and shopping. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Chattanooga is well known for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Also, Chattanooga is famous for Rock City.

How is Saint Louis different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Saint Louis is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Saint Louis on the map. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Chattanooga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Chattanooga can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Chattanooga has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Saint Louis and Chattanooga.

Saint Louis has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Saint Louis is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Louis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Chattanooga both notable destinations for a couple.

Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Chattanooga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint Louis and Chattanooga.

Visitors to Saint Louis can move around easily with public transportation. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

The public transit in Chattanooga can get you around easily. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

Is Saint Louis or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Chattanooga is very walkable. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Chattanooga. In our opinion, Saint Louis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Louis than Chattanooga. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Chattanooga.

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

One day in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Saint Louis. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under rated destination of Saint Louis. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the bustling destination of Chattanooga. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Five days in Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

The under rated city of Saint Louis offers shopping 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.

The bustling city of Chattanooga offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chattanooga. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Chattanooga, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Chattanooga, 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 Saint Louis or Chattanooga?

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 Saint Louis or Chattanooga in the Summer?

Both Chattanooga and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In July, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Saint Louis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in October than Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chattanooga in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Chattanooga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 40°F (5°C).

Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Chattanooga.

In April, Saint Louis is generally cooler than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chattanooga. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Saint Louis