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

Should you visit Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

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 Monica 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 welcoming, undiscovered, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Milwaukee travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Milwaukee and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Milwaukee is well known for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Monica 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 Monica?

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

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 Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

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

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

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 Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica 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 Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

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 Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for the beach. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Many visitors go to Milwaukee to go shopping. 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.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

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 Monica Better for Couples?

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

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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 Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Santa Monica is a good town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Monica Better for Students?

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

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

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

Santa Monica has some very good public transit options. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

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

Is Milwaukee or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Milwaukee and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Monica than in Milwaukee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Milwaukee, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica 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 Monica.

One day in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

In Milwaukee, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. 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 Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Milwaukee is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Santa Monica. 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 Monica?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly destination of Milwaukee. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Milwaukee is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica 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 comparing the travel costs between Milwaukee and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Milwaukee Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Santa Monica?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Milwaukee and Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

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 Monica in the Summer?

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

Milwaukee is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 74°F (23°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Milwaukee is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Milwaukee in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

In October, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Milwaukee can be very cold during winter. In January, Milwaukee is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 21°F (-6°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Monica in the Spring?

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

Milwaukee is much colder than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 47°F (8°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Milwaukee