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

Should you visit Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

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 Sun Valley 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.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a outdoorsy, active, and adventurous town. The beauty of Sun Valley is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the skiing, nightlife, and food. See Sun Valley travel costs.

Milwaukee and Sun Valley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sun Valley. Although Milwaukee and Sun Valley are popular destinations, Sun Valley has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sun Valley is very popular for its skiing, food, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Milwaukee attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Sun Valley is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway. It is also well known for Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Sun Valley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Milwaukee or Sun Valley Better for Skiing?

Sun Valley is terrific for skiing and snowboarding. However, Milwaukee is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Sun Valley. 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.

Milwaukee is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Milwaukee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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 Milwaukee or Sun Valley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Sun Valley has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.

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 Sun Valley Better for Nightlife?

Both Milwaukee and Sun Valley have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Milwaukee. 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.

Sun Valley has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Milwaukee or Sun Valley Better for Resorts?

Sun Valley is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

In Sun Valley, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.

Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

Is Milwaukee or Sun Valley Better for Hiking?

Sun Valley is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sun Valley. 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.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Milwaukee and Sun Valley.

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 Sun Valley to go shopping. 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 Milwaukee or Sun Valley More Beautiful?

Sun Valley is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Milwaukee is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Sun Valley is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The resort town is surrounded by impressive mountains and pristine natural beauty.

Milwaukee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Milwaukee or Sun Valley Better for Families?

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

Sun Valley is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

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 Sun Valley Better for Couples?

Sun Valley is terrific for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Sun Valley is a great town for couples, as it 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.

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 Sun Valley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sun Valley is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options 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.

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 Sun Valley Better for Students?

Milwaukee is a good destination for students. However, Sun Valley is not popular with students.

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Sun Valley is not popular with students.

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

Sun Valley 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.

Sun Valley has some very good public transit options. 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 Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Milwaukee or Sun Valley a more walkable city?

Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.

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 Sun Valley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sun Valley or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

Both Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Milwaukee, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sun Valley.

Families should spend more time in Sun Valley than Milwaukee. 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.

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

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

One day in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly 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 food and shopping around the town of Sun Valley. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

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 shopping and skiing around the outdoorsy destination of Sun Valley. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

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.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the outdoorsy town of Sun Valley. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the skiing. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

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.

Sun Valley is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sun Valley, one week is sufficent for most. 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 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 Milwaukee Expensive? and Is Sun Valley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Sun Valley?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Milwaukee 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.