A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Antonio vs. Detroit for Music, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit San Antonio or Detroit?

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 San Antonio and Detroit. 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a fun, historic, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

San Antonio and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Antonio or Detroit?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Detroit than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Detroit, Detroit has more sights and attractions for tourists. Detroit is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while San Antonio attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Antonio is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also well known for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is San Antonio different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Detroit and San Antonio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Antonio or Detroit?

San Antonio is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to San Antonio can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both San Antonio and Detroit can be an enjoyable experience.

San Antonio offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Detroit has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Detroit know how to have a good time. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

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 San Antonio or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is an unbeatable place for live music. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its live music scene.

Detroit is a world class music destination. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in San Antonio. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Detroit?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Detroit and San Antonio.

San Antonio is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Detroit does not offer Christmas activities.

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting San Antonio. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Detroit does not offer Christmas activities.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for Families?

San Antonio is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Antonio is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for Couples?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is San Antonio or Detroit Better for Students?

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit San Antonio. 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.

Detroit is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both San Antonio and Detroit.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is San Antonio or Detroit a more walkable city?

Detroit is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Detroit is somewhat walkable. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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 San Antonio Worth Visiting? and Is Detroit Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Detroit or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Detroit?

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

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Detroit. 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 San Antonio than Detroit. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Antonio that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in San Antonio or Detroit?

In San Antonio, you'll find shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the hardworking city of Detroit. Most people visit for the live music. 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 San Antonio or Detroit?

In San Antonio, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Antonio has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Detroit. 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 San Antonio or Detroit?

San Antonio 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 overlooked city of Detroit 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 San Antonio or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Antonio. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting San Antonio. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between San Antonio and Detroit, we can see that Detroit 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 San Antonio Expensive? and Is Detroit Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Detroit?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Detroit. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio and Detroit, 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 San Antonio or Detroit?

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 San Antonio or Detroit in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Detroit. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Detroit for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, San Antonio is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Antonio in July average around 87°F (31°C), and Detroit averages at about 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In the summer, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Detroit. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in July than Detroit. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Detroit in the Autumn?

Both Detroit and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 73°F (23°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Detroit. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Antonio or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit and San Antonio during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

It's quite cold in Detroit in the winter. San Antonio is much warmer than Detroit in the winter. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Detroit. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in January than Detroit. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Detroit in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Detroit. The natural beauty are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Detroit for the activities around the city.

In the spring, San Antonio is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Antonio in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Detroit averages at about 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Detroit during spring. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Detroit. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Detroit and San Antonio