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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster. 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Saint Louis and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Lancaster?

You'll generally find more things to do in Saint Louis than Lancaster. Saint Louis is bigger than Lancaster, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Saint Louis is better known for its museums and nightlife, while Lancaster is more popular for its impressive beauty. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Also, Saint Louis is famous for the Gateway Arch. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Saint Louis different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Saint Louis has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Lancaster 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.

Lancaster has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is Saint Louis or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Lancaster?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lancaster and Saint Louis.

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.

Lancaster is well-known for its shopping. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Is Saint Louis or Lancaster Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Lancaster are great 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, Lancaster is very family-friendly. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is Saint Louis or Lancaster Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Lancaster is not known for its public transit.

Saint Louis offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is Saint Louis or Lancaster a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

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

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Lancaster?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis than Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

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 food and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the unexpected 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 shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Lancaster. 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 Saint Louis or Lancaster?

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 picturesque town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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 Lancaster?

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 food and shopping when visiting Lancaster. 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 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 Lancaster, 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 Lancaster Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Lancaster?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Lancaster. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Lancaster in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Louis is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Lancaster averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Saint Louis