A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Hershey for Families, Attractions, Resorts, and Couples

Should you visit Sarasota or Hershey?

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 Hershey. 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Hershey

Hershey is a fun-filled, playful, and lighthearted town. Visitors also love the shopping and museums.

Sarasota and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Hershey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sarasota. Although Sarasota and Hershey are popular destinations, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and beaches, while Hershey attracts visitors for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Sarasota and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also well known for the John and Mable Ringling Museum.

How is Sarasota different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

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

Sarasota is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Sarasota offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Sarasota or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Sarasota has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Sarasota or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Hershey is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Hershey to choose from. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

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

Is Sarasota or Hershey Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a popular place for its beaches. However, Hershey is not a beach destination.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Hershey is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Hershey?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Hershey 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 Hershey to go shopping. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Sarasota or Hershey Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and Hershey are amazing 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, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Is Sarasota or Hershey Better for Couples?

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

Hershey is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

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 Hershey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota and Hershey 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Sarasota or Hershey a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Hershey 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.

Hershey is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Hershey or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Hershey?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarasota than Hershey 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 Hershey?

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 town of Hershey offers museums and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Hershey?

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.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Hershey?

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.

Hershey 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 Hershey?

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.

Hershey is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Hershey, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Hershey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hershey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hershey 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 Hershey.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Hershey?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Hershey. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Hershey. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hershey in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Sarasota is much warmer than Hershey in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Hershey. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Sarasota during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hershey can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Hershey. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Hershey averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Hershey. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hershey in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Hershey. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Hershey. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Sarasota