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

Should you visit Sarasota or Dallas?

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 Dallas. 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 relaxing, entertaining, and underrated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sarasota and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Dallas?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dallas than Sarasota. Dallas is bigger than Sarasota, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dallas is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Sarasota is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Sarasota different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Dallas 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.

Dallas has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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 Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Dallas 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 Dallas for the nightlife scene. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

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 Dallas Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Sarasota makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is very good for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sarasota to enjoy the beach. 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Dallas?

Dallas is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Dallas is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. 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.

Is Sarasota or Dallas Better for Families?

Sarasota is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sarasota is one of the most popular family destinations. 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 family-friendly things to do in Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Sarasota or Dallas Better for Couples?

Dallas is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Dallas is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

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

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

While Dallas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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 Dallas a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Dallas are respectable 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.

Dallas is generally not very walkable. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Sarasota or Dallas. 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 Dallas.

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

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

One day in Sarasota or Dallas?

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.

The city of Dallas 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 Dallas?

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.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Dallas?

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.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the underrated 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.

Dallas 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 Dallas, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Sarasota is around the same temperature as Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Dallas. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Sarasota is a little warmer than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sarasota in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas 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 Dallas during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Dallas. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Dallas. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 59°F (15°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°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 Dallas. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

Sarasota is a little warmer than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Dallas. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Sarasota