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

Should you visit Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a relaxing, entertaining, and underrated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Detroit

Detroit is a hardworking, overlooked , and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Sarasota and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Detroit?

You'll generally find more things to do in Detroit than Sarasota. Detroit is bigger than Sarasota, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Detroit is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Sarasota is more popular for its museums, resorts, and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Detroit is well known for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. Also, Detroit is famous for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Sarasota different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota 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 Sarasota can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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 Sarasota or Detroit? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Sarasota and Detroit.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. 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 Sarasota or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit 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 Detroit for the nightlife scene. 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.

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 Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is renowned for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Detroit. 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.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Detroit Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Detroit Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Detroit?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Detroit both offer plenty of notable 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 Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Sarasota or Detroit Better for Families?

Sarasota 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.

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 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 Sarasota or Detroit Better for Couples?

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

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.

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

Sarasota and Detroit both offer respectable 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 Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Sarasota or Detroit a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Detroit Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Detroit?

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

Families should spend more time in Sarasota than Detroit. 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 Detroit. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit.

One day in Sarasota or Detroit?

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

The city of Detroit offers museums and nightlife. 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 Detroit?

In Sarasota, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Sarasota has to offer.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Detroit?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Detroit is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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 Detroit?

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

Detroit is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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 Detroit, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Detroit?

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

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 Detroit in the Summer?

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

Sarasota is a little warmer than Detroit in the summer. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 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 Detroit. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Detroit. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Sarasota is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sarasota in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Detroit averages at about 54°F (12°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 Detroit. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit 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 Detroit this time of year.

It's quite cold in Detroit in the winter. In January, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 59°F (15°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Detroit. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Detroit for the activities around the city.

Sarasota is much warmer than Detroit in the spring. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Detroit. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Sarasota