A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Minneapolis vs. Salt Lake City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Salt Lake City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a architectural, notable, and religious city. Visitors also love the museums, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Salt Lake City travel costs.

Minneapolis and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Salt Lake City, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Salt Lake City is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking. Salt Lake City is more touristy than Minneapolis and is known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.

How is Minneapolis different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Minneapolis can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Minneapolis has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Minneapolis has a large number of nightlife venues. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Minneapolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Minneapolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Minneapolis is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Minneapolis specifically to go shopping. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Minneapolis. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Minneapolis and Salt Lake City are both good to visit as a couple.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Salt Lake City is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is very popular with students. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

Minneapolis has some public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

You'll find some public transit in Salt Lake City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Is Minneapolis or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Minneapolis than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Minneapolis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

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

Couples should spend more time in Minneapolis than Salt Lake City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Minneapolis that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Salt Lake City 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

In Minneapolis, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the architectural city of Salt Lake City. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the religious destination of Salt Lake City. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The architectural city of Salt Lake City offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Minneapolis. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Salt Lake City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Salt Lake City?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, 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.