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

Should you visit Sarasota or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland. 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a diverse, authentic, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sarasota and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Cleveland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sarasota than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sarasota is very popular for its food, resorts, and beaches, while Cleveland attracts visitors for its music. Sarasota is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also well known for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Cleveland is famous for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Sarasota different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Sarasota and Cleveland.

If you're looking for night time activities Sarasota has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is great for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland draws a good crowd. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Resorts?

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

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

Cleveland is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Cleveland 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Cleveland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Cleveland 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 Cleveland to go shopping. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland 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 Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Sarasota is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Sarasota and Cleveland both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Sarasota or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Cleveland are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

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

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Cleveland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Cleveland. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

One day in Sarasota or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland offers live music and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Cleveland?

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.

Cleveland 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 Cleveland, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Cleveland?

You'll find nightlife and food around the underrated 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.

Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

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.

Cleveland 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarasota and Cleveland, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Cleveland.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarasota Expensive? and Is Cleveland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Cleveland in the Summer?

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

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than Cleveland during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Cleveland in the Autumn?

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

Sarasota is much warmer than Cleveland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°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 Cleveland. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland 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 Cleveland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cleveland in the winter. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Cleveland averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Cleveland in the Spring?

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

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Cleveland. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Sarasota