A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia River Gorge for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a scenic, natural, and beautiful region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge are both popular with visitors, Saint Petersburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its museums, resorts, and beaches, while Columbia River Gorge is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Saint Petersburg is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also home to St. Pete Beach. Columbia River Gorge is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge and Saint Petersburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Saint Petersburg is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Petersburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Petersburg. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Petersburg has a few options to choose from. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Saint Petersburg are among the best in the world. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is great for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Columbia River Gorge offers some nice shopping areas. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Columbia River Gorge is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Both Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Columbia River Gorge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Saint Petersburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but budget travelers will appreciate the affordable accommodation around town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg is a moderate coastal city for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable coastal city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Columbia River Gorge. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Petersburg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than Saint Petersburg 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Saint Petersburg. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Columbia River Gorge. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Saint Petersburg is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic region of Columbia River Gorge. If you have a weekend, this region makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Saint Petersburg for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Columbia River Gorge is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

The fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg offers nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Columbia River Gorge is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Columbia River Gorge can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Saint Petersburg