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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

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 Colorado Springs. 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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a outdoorsy, healthy, and welcoming mountain town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Louis and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

Both Colorado Springs and Saint Louis have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and shopping, while Colorado Springs is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Louis is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Colorado Springs is popular for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Saint Louis different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a mountain town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Colorado Springs to take advantage of their winter sports. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

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

Saint Louis is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. 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.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Colorado Springs can be difficult as they are each good 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.

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is an amazing mountain town to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Colorado Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

Saint Louis is a great destination for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Colorado Springs are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Saint Louis is 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Colorado Springs is very family-friendly. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Colorado Springs both good 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.

Colorado Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Colorado Springs is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Colorado Springs is a good destination for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Colorado Springs is popular with students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is a great destination for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Saint Louis or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is very good for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal 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.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Colorado Springs. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs than Saint Louis 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the unexpected destination of Saint Louis. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the unexpected city of Saint Louis. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Colorado Springs. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain 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 Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs offers museums and nightlife. 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 Colorado Springs?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Colorado Springs. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Colorado Springs, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Colorado Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colorado Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.

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 Colorado Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs?

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 Colorado Springs in the Summer?

Both Colorado Springs and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Colorado Springs in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

Both Colorado Springs and Saint Louis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Colorado Springs. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

The weather in Colorado Springs can be very cold. Saint Louis can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).

In January, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Colorado Springs. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

Saint Louis is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Saint Louis