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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Saint Louis and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Saint Louis than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Saint Louis, Saint Louis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Louis is better known for its museums and shopping, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Saint Louis is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular 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. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Saint Louis different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

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

Phoenix has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Phoenix?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Louis. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Phoenix both notable 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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix 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, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Saint Louis or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Phoenix?

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

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

In Saint Louis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

In Saint Louis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The desert city of Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Saint Louis is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Saint Louis is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Phoenix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Phoenix in the Spring?

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

In April, Saint Louis is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Saint Louis