A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stuttgart vs. Chicago for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Stuttgart or Chicago?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Chicago? 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a modern, authentic, and commercial city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chicago

Chicago is a cosmopolitan, diverse, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Stuttgart and Chicago: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chicago than Stuttgart. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Chicago is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. It is also well known for The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower). Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Chicago?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chicago has many famous sights for visitors. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Theater?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Stuttgart is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Chicago draw crowds from around the world. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.

Stuttgart is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stuttgart or Chicago? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Chicago is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Nightlife?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Chicago has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.

Stuttgart is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Music?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Chicago has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Beaches?

Chicago is a popular place for the beach. However, Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Chicago is a good option for a beach vacation. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.

Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Chicago specifically to go shopping. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

Stuttgart is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Christmas?

Chicago is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Stuttgart does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Chicago is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There's a number of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, and excellent shopping.

Stuttgart does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Christmas Markets?

Chicago is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Stuttgart does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Chicago. Shopping is a highlight of a trip to the city, and the Christkindlmarkt is not to be missed.

Stuttgart does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Families?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Chicago is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Chicago make for a nice place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Chicago is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Chicago are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Stuttgart. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Chicago is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Students?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Chicago. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.

Stuttgart is very popular with students. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Chicago is top-notch. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.

Visitors to Stuttgart can move around easily with public transportation. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Stuttgart or Chicago a more walkable city?

Chicago is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Chicago is a very walkable destination. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Stuttgart Worth Visiting? and Is Chicago Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chicago or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Chicago?

In either Stuttgart or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chicago than Stuttgart because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 3-5 days is enough time in Chicago.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chicago than Stuttgart 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 Chicago.

One day in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Because Stuttgart is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Chicago. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Because Stuttgart is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Stuttgart has to offer.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the multicultural big city of Chicago. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Chicago?

Stuttgart is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the multicultural city of Chicago. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Stuttgart or Chicago?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Stuttgart. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Chicago is a popular choice for travelers. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stuttgart and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Stuttgart much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Stuttgart is in Europe and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Stuttgart would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Stuttgart 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Stuttgart.

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

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Chicago, 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 Stuttgart or Chicago?

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 Stuttgart or Chicago in the Summer?

Both Chicago and Stuttgart during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is cooler than Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Stuttgart. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.

Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Stuttgart usually gets less rain in July than Chicago. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Chicago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Chicago. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Chicago. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Chicago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Chicago. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Chicago can be very cold during winter. Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chicago. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Chicago in the Spring?

Both Chicago and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Chicago. Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In April, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Chicago. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chicago and Stuttgart