A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Santa Fe for Couples, Food, Attractions, and Hiking

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

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 Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a charming, artsy, and cultural historic town. Santa Fe offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and live music. See Santa Fe travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Fe. Although Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe are popular destinations, Santa Fe has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Fe is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Santa Fe and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Santa Fe is famous for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. It is also well known for The Museum of New Mexico Complex.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a good destination for skiing. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a skiing destination.

Head to Santa Fe for some great skiing and other winter activities. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

Martha's Vineyard is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Fe. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santa Fe makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Most people don't head to Santa Fe specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a good destination for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Martha's Vineyard is a perfect choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for the beach. However, Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Santa Fe. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe, and they are nice.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Santa Fe is a good destination for hiking. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its scenery and beauty. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Families?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe are nice family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Santa Fe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Martha's Vineyard has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Santa Fe is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Students?

Santa Fe is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Santa Fe. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Santa Fe is a very walkable destination. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Fe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

In either Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe than Martha's Vineyard because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 2-5 days is enough time in Santa Fe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Fe than Martha's Vineyard 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 Santa Fe.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With museums and skiing around the artsy historic town of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Martha's Vineyard 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.

With skiing and live music around the charming destination of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this historic town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Santa Fe?

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Santa Fe is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This historic town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Santa Fe Expensive?.