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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee. 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 unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a friendly, welcoming, and undiscovered city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Saint Louis and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Milwaukee?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Saint Louis than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Saint Louis, Saint Louis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Louis is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. It is also well known for the Gateway Arch. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Saint Louis different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Saint Louis are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

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

Saint Louis is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Saint Louis or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Milwaukee has a few options to choose from. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Milwaukee?

Saint Louis is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Saint Louis is well-known for its shopping. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Many visitors go to Milwaukee to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Is Saint Louis or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Saint Louis is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. 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 Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Saint Louis or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Saint Louis is a city with good options for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

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.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Saint Louis or Milwaukee Better for Students?

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

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

Saint Louis has some very good public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Saint Louis or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Milwaukee both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

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

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Milwaukee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Louis or Milwaukee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Louis than Milwaukee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 1-2 days is enough time in Milwaukee.

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?

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 shopping when visiting the friendly city of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating 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 undiscovered destination of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating 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 undiscovered city of Milwaukee offers museums and nightlife. 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 Milwaukee?

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 nightlife and shopping when visiting Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Milwaukee?

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

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 Milwaukee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Milwaukee. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Louis is a little warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

Both Milwaukee and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.

In October, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Milwaukee in the Winter?

Both Milwaukee and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milwaukee. It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. Saint Louis is much warmer than Milwaukee in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Milwaukee in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Saint Louis is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 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 Milwaukee. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Saint Louis