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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland. 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 under rated, unexpected, and fascinating city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Louis and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

Both Cleveland and Saint Louis have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Saint Louis is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Cleveland is known for its music. Saint Louis is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Saint Louis different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

Saint Louis is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Saint Louis from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cleveland. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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

Saint Louis is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Saint Louis. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Saint Louis or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Cleveland has a few options to choose from. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Saint Louis or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is well known for live music. However, Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Cleveland. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

Saint Louis is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Saint Louis or Cleveland Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Saint Louis is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Saint Louis or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Saint Louis is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Saint Louis is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Saint Louis or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Cleveland. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis than Cleveland 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 Saint Louis.

One day in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Louis. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse city of Cleveland. 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.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under rated destination of Saint Louis. 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.

Visitors enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Cleveland. 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 Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under rated city of Saint Louis. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The authentic city of Cleveland 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.

A week in Saint Louis or Cleveland?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

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

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 Saint Louis and Cleveland, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis than you might in Cleveland.

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 Cleveland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Saint Louis or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Cleveland. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cleveland. Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cleveland in the winter. The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In January, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in January than Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Cleveland.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Saint Louis