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

Should you visit Saint Louis or San Antonio?

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 San Antonio. 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Saint Louis and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or San Antonio?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Antonio than Saint Louis, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Antonio is more popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis is known for its museums and shopping. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. It is also home to The Alamo.

How is Saint Louis different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and San Antonio 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.

San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

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

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 San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is a good destination for live music. However, Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to San Antonio to see the historical old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or San Antonio?

Saint Louis is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a good destination for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio is a fun destination over Christmas. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and San Antonio 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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio Better for Students?

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

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is a great destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Saint Louis or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city 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.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or San Antonio?

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

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Saint Louis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Louis than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Saint Louis. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic city of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Saint Louis. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

The unexpected city of Saint Louis 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.

The historic city of San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting San Antonio. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and San Antonio, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

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 San Antonio Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or San Antonio?

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

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 San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

Saint Louis is cooler than San Antonio in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or San Antonio in the Autumn?

Both San Antonio and Saint Louis during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and San Antonio averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in October than San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and San Antonio. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. In January, Saint Louis is generally much colder than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or San Antonio in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as San Antonio. Additionally, most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Louis is much colder than San Antonio in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Saint Louis