A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sedona vs. Sun Valley for Families, Couples, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Sedona or Sun Valley?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sedona or Sun Valley? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Sedona

Sedona is a scenic, striking, and desert town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a outdoorsy, active, and adventurous town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Sedona and Sun Valley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sedona. Although Sedona and Sun Valley are popular destinations, Sedona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sedona is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sun Valley attracts visitors for its skiing. Sedona is famous for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. It is also well known for Red Rock Crossing Park. Sun Valley is famous for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway.

How is Sedona different from Sun Valley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Skiing?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for skiing. However, Sedona is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Sun Valley should be on your list. There are plenty of slopes that are accessible by lift as well as backcountry terrain for those who are more adventurous. The ski areas include Bald Mountain, which is next to Ketchum, and Dollar Mountain, by Sun Valley. Bald Mountain is best for advanced skiers and Dollar Mountain has options for beginners and intermediates.

Sedona is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Sun Valley is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Sedona is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

While most people don't head to Sun Valley specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Museums in the area include the Sun Valley Museum of Art and the Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

Is the Food Better in Sedona or Sun Valley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sedona and Sun Valley can be an enjoyable experience.

Sedona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

Dining out in Sun Valley is an experience not to be missed. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Sedona and Sun Valley.

If you're looking for night time activities Sedona has a few options to choose from. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sun Valley. It's a low key town with relaxing bars and breweries where you can enjoy a cold drink after a day on the slopes. It's not a party town that's high energy, but there are plenty of places where you can hang out in a mellow setting.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Resorts?

Sedona and Sun Valley offer a relatively similar set of superb luxury resort options.

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sun Valley. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Sun Valley does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Sedona to see the historical old town. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Sun Valley does not have a historic old town.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Sedona and Sun Valley both have superb trails.

Many visitors go to Sedona for the hiking trails. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Sun Valley is a popular spot for hiking. During the warmer months you'll enjoy miles of hiking trails in the area that take you by fields of wildflowers and to scenic mountain overlooks. White Cloud Trails is a relatively easy 4 mile trail that many visitors enjoy. Baker Lake and Taylor Canyon are also nice options.

Is the Shopping Better in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona is terrific for shopping. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Sedona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sun Valley. While most visitors spend their time adventuring outdoors, there are also plenty of shopping options in the area. Whether you need to pick up hiking or ski gear, or you want to browse some local boutiques, you'll find shops that meet your need.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Families?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sun Valley is a very family-friendly destination. During the winter months there's skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities. During the warmer months families will enjoy riding the Roundhouse Express Gondola, hiking through the mountains, or horseback riding.

Sedona is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Sedona and Sun Valley make for a amazing place to visit.

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Sun Valley has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities will love a romantic getaway to the area. There's also a charming downtown area that has great restaurants. In the surrounding countryside there's plenty of spectacular hikes that couples will enjoy as well.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sun Valley is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Sun Valley. There are a couple of hostels in the area and plenty of activities that appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Sedona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sun Valley is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Sedona is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Sun Valley can get you to some places easily. There are free shuttle buses that run through Wood River Valley including connections between the Village and Dollar and Bald Mountains. It's also connected to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.

Public transit is generally limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

Is Sedona or Sun Valley a more walkable city?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Sun Valley is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.

Sedona is a somewhat walkable town. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Sedona Worth Visiting? and Is Sun Valley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sun Valley or Sedona?

How long in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Both Sedona and Sun Valley have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sun Valley than in Sedona. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sun Valley.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sun Valley than Sedona 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 Sun Valley.

One day in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Sun Valley. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Even though Sedona is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Sun Valley is a great place to explore. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sun Valley. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Sun Valley. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Sedona and Sun Valley, we can see that Sun Valley 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 Sedona Expensive? and Is Sun Valley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sedona or Sun Valley?

Sedona has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Sedona and Sun Valley, 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.