A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Milwaukee vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milwaukee and Santa Cruz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a friendly, welcoming, and undiscovered city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Milwaukee travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Milwaukee and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Milwaukee and Santa Cruz.

Milwaukee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Milwaukee and Santa Cruz.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Milwaukee. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Many visitors go to Santa Cruz to go shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for backpackers.

Santa Cruz is a good town to visit for backpackers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Milwaukee is a popular place for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Milwaukee is a good city to visit for students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Milwaukee and Santa Cruz.

Public transit is mostly limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

For even more information, also check out Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz to fill your time. In our opinion, Santa Cruz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Cruz than Milwaukee. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Milwaukee 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 Cruz.

One day in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming city of Milwaukee, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Milwaukee, one day is sufficent for most.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Milwaukee, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Milwaukee, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Milwaukee is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Milwaukee and Santa Cruz, 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 Milwaukee or Santa Cruz?

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 Milwaukee or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Milwaukee as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Milwaukee is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 74°F (23°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Milwaukee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Milwaukee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Milwaukee is cooler than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Milwaukee during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Milwaukee can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Milwaukee is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Milwaukee in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Milwaukee usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Milwaukee and Santa Cruz. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In April, Milwaukee is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 47°F (8°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Milwaukee