A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Arlington for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Arlington?

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 Sarasota and Arlington. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington

Arlington is a historical, educational, and international city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sarasota and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Arlington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sarasota than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sarasota is more popular for its resorts and beaches, while Arlington is known for its food and nightlife. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Arlington is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Sarasota different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Arlington?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Arlington.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arlington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Arlington for the nightlife scene. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

Sarasota has a beach worth visiting. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Arlington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Arlington both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Arlington to go shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Families?

Sarasota is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Arlington both good destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

Is Sarasota or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its public transit.

Arlington has a great public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is generally limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Is Sarasota or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is great for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Sarasota or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sarasota due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

Couples should spend more time in Arlington than Sarasota. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arlington that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Sarasota 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 Arlington.

One day in Sarasota or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sarasota. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the entertaining destination of Sarasota. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arlington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arlington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Arlington?

You'll find nightlife and food around the entertaining city of Sarasota. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Arlington?

Sarasota is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arlington is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and Arlington, we can see that Arlington 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Arlington, 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 Sarasota or Arlington?

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 Sarasota or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Arlington. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sarasota is around the same temperature as Arlington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Arlington. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Arlington. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than Arlington. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Arlington. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Arlington averages at about 56°F (14°C).

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Arlington. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Sarasota