A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Saskatoon vs. Vernon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saskatoon or Vernon?

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 Saskatoon and Vernon. 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.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a authentic, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Saskatoon and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vernon. Although Saskatoon and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Vernon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Vernon is more popular for its hiking, while Saskatoon is known for its nightlife. Vernon is more touristy than Saskatoon and is known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. It is also home to Davison Orchards Country Village. Saskatoon is popular for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Saskatoon different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon and Saskatoon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Saskatoon and Vernon.

Saskatoon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Vernon. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Saskatoon or Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Saskatoon and Vernon can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Saskatoon. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Vernon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Saskatoon is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Both Saskatoon and Vernon are good shopping destinations.

Saskatoon offers some nice shopping areas. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon Better for Families?

Both Saskatoon and Vernon are good family-friendly destinations.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon Better for Couples?

Saskatoon and Vernon both good destinations for a couple.

Saskatoon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Vernon is a good city for couples to visit. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Saskatoon and Vernon offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Saskatoon or Vernon a more walkable city?

Saskatoon is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is Saskatoon Worth Visiting? and Is Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Saskatoon?

How long in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saskatoon and Vernon. In our opinion, Saskatoon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saskatoon than Vernon. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Saskatoon than Vernon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saskatoon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saskatoon than Vernon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saskatoon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saskatoon than Vernon 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 Saskatoon.

One day in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saskatoon. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Vernon. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vernon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Saskatoon 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.

You'll find museums and food around the quiet destination of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Saskatoon or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saskatoon. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quiet town of Vernon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Saskatoon or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Saskatoon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Canada, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saskatoon and Vernon, we can see that Saskatoon is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Saskatoon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saskatoon than you might in Vernon.

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

Which is Bigger, Saskatoon or Vernon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Saskatoon and Vernon, 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.