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

Should you visit Sarasota or Saint Louis?

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 Saint Louis. 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sarasota and Saint Louis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Saint Louis?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sarasota than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is very popular for its resorts and beaches, while Saint Louis attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Sarasota is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also well known for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Saint Louis is famous for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Sarasota different from Saint Louis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Saint Louis are world-renowned. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Sarasota and Saint Louis.

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 Saint Louis area. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Sarasota or Saint Louis Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Sarasota and Saint Louis.

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 Saint Louis. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Sarasota or Saint Louis Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a good destination for its resorts. However, Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

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

Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Saint Louis Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a good destination for its beaches. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Saint Louis?

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

Saint Louis is well-known for its shopping. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Louis 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Is Sarasota or Saint Louis Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Saint Louis both nice 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.

Saint Louis is a good city for couples to visit. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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

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

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Saint Louis a more walkable city?

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

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Louis or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Saint Louis?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis.

One day in Sarasota or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the underrated city of Sarasota. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Saint Louis offers food 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 Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the entertaining destination of Sarasota. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the underrated city of Sarasota. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Saint Louis?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarasota. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis?

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 Saint Louis in the Summer?

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

In July, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 309 hours of full sun.

Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Louis in the Autumn?

Both Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis for the shopping scene.

Sarasota is much warmer than Saint Louis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Louis in the Winter?

Both Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Louis averages at about 31°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 160 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Louis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Saint Louis. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Saint Louis. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Saint Louis and Sarasota