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

Should you visit Sarasota or Boston?

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 Boston. 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 underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and proud city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Sarasota and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Boston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Boston than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Boston is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Boston is famous for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail.

How is Sarasota different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Boston are world-renowned. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Sarasota offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is great for its theatre productions. However, Sarasota is not a theatre destination.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Sarasota is not a theatre destination.

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

Boston 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.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston 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 Boston for the nightlife scene. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a good destination for its resorts. However, Boston is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Boston is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a good destination for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

Sarasota offers a nice beach destination. 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.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is renowned for its old town. However, Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Boston is one of the most recognized in the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Boston?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Boston both offer plenty of nice 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 Boston to go shopping. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Sarasota does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is a very popular destination during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Sarasota does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Sarasota does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Sarasota does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and Boston are terrific family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sarasota is very family-friendly. 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Boston is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Boston both nice 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.

Boston is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Sarasota or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

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 Boston Better for Students?

Boston is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

Boston is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

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

Boston has a great public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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 Boston a more walkable city?

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

Boston is a very easy city to get around on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Boston?

In either Sarasota or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Sarasota. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Sarasota or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sarasota. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Boston is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Boston?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarasota. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Boston, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Sarasota. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Sarasota or Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Boston. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Boston. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Sarasota is much warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Boston. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Boston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Boston can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Boston. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Boston. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Boston and Sarasota