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

Should you visit Sarasota or Houston?

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 Houston. 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Houston

Houston is a diverse, sprawling, and southern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Sarasota and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Houston?

You'll generally find more things to do in Houston than Sarasota. Houston is bigger than Sarasota, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Houston is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Sarasota is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Houston is well known for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. Also, Houston is famous for The Space Center Houston.

How is Sarasota different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

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

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 Houston area. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston 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 Houston for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston Better for Music?

Houston 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 Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a good destination for its resorts. However, Houston 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.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Houston?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Houston 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 Houston to go shopping. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Families?

Sarasota is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Houston both notable 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.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Sarasota or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Sarasota and Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Sarasota or Houston a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Houston 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.

Houston is generally not very walkable. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Houston?

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

Families should spend more time in Sarasota than Houston. 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.

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

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.

Houston is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Houston?

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.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston?

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.

Houston 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 comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Houston. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

Sarasota is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Sarasota is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sarasota in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Houston. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Sarasota during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 59°F (15°C), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Houston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Houston. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

Sarasota is around the same temperature as Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Houston. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Houston and Sarasota