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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Saint Louis and Gatlinburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Gatlinburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gatlinburg. Although Saint Louis and Gatlinburg are both popular with visitors, Gatlinburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gatlinburg is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Saint Louis is known for its museums, food, and shopping. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is also home to the Gatlinburg Strip. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Gatlinburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

Gatlinburg is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

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

Saint Louis is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Gatlinburg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

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

Saint Louis is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Gatlinburg has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is well known for its resorts. However, Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Gatlinburg to choose from. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Gatlinburg?

Saint Louis is great for shopping. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Gatlinburg offers some nice shopping areas. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Families?

Saint Louis is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

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.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Gatlinburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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

Saint Louis is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Gatlinburg has a few public transit options. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Is Saint Louis or Gatlinburg a more walkable city?

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

Gatlinburg is very walkable. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

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 Gatlinburg Worth Visiting?.

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 Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Gatlinburg?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

Both Gatlinburg and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Louis usually gets less rain in July than Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Gatlinburg. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Gatlinburg. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. Saint Louis can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Louis is generally much colder than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

Both Gatlinburg and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Saint Louis is cooler than Gatlinburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Gatlinburg during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Gatlinburg. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Saint Louis