A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Shenandoah National Park for Attractions, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

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 Shenandoah National Park. 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.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful, scenic, and breathtaking national park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Saint Louis and Shenandoah National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Shenandoah National Park than Saint Louis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Shenandoah National Park is better known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Shenandoah National Park is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its local wildlife, dramatic viewpoints, and world class hiking trails. Also, Shenandoah National Park is famous for Skyline Drive. Saint Louis is well known 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 Shenandoah National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park Better for Skiing?

Shenandoah National Park is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

Shenandoah National Park is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. You'll find skiing and snowboarding at nearby Massanutten Resort, which is near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's a family-friendly setting with slopes that are classified as "easiest", "more difficult", and "most difficult".

Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

Saint Louis is renowned for its historical sights. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination 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.

Shenandoah National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people spend their time outdoors enjoying the setting, there are museums in the area, as well as visitor centers that have exhibits and informative displays.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Shenandoah National Park 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.

Shenandoah National Park has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are several restaurants along skyline drive where you can pick up a casual meal like fried chicken, burgers, or pasta.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination 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 Shenandoah National Park specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a number of breweries in the area, but most people enjoy stargazing and sitting by the campfire at night.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park Better for Hiking?

Shenandoah National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Shenandoah National Park is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are more than 500 miles of trails in the park that pass through varied landscapes and take you to beautiful viewpoints. Visitors range from weekend visitors to long term hikers who come to experience the breathtaking beauty and serene setting.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

Saint Louis is great for its shopping areas. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination 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.

Shenandoah National Park is a good destination for shopping. There are a handful of gift shops along Skyline Drive were you can pick up souvenirs or t-shirts.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Shenandoah National Park are very good 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, Shenandoah National Park is very family-friendly. There are tons of kid-friendly hikes to overlooks or waterfalls. Kids will love scrambling over the rocks or running through the forest. There are also plenty of campgrounds where families can hang out, toast marshmallows and enjoy some quality time together.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Shenandoah National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy nature will love a visit to the park. There are beautiful views and scenic spots that will make for a wonderful and romantic trip. Hiking, biking, and exploring will fill your time with adventure and fun.

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 Shenandoah National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shenandoah National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Shenandoah National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the hiking trails and backcountry camping. Many people head to the park to escape into nature and enjoy some low key time in a serene setting.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park 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. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination 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 limited or non-existant in Shenandoah National Park. There's no real public transit in the park.

Is Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination 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.

Shenandoah National Park is not a walkable city. While there are plenty of hiking trails, a car is a must to reach most trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Shenandoah National Park or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

In either Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than Saint Louis because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 3-5 days is enough time in Shenandoah National Park.

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Shenandoah National Park. 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 Shenandoah National Park than Saint Louis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Shenandoah National Park that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than Saint Louis 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 Shenandoah National Park.

One day in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

With food and shopping around the under rated city of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the scenic national park of Shenandoah National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Shenandoah National Park?

With shopping and museums around the under rated destination of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the serene destination of Shenandoah National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the unexpected city of Saint Louis. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the scenic national park of Shenandoah National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Shenandoah National Park. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Shenandoah National Park, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Shenandoah National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shenandoah National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenandoah National Park 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 Shenandoah National Park.

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 Shenandoah National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park?

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 Shenandoah National Park in the Summer?

Both Shenandoah National Park 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

Should I visit Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Shenandoah National Park. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year.

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

In October, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Shenandoah National Park. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenandoah National Park. It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Shenandoah National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Shenandoah National Park averages at about 32°F (-0°C).

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Shenandoah National Park. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Shenandoah National Park in the Spring?

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

In April, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Shenandoah National Park. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shenandoah National Park and Saint Louis