A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Charlottesville for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

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 Saint Louis and Charlottesville. 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.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Saint Louis and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Louis. Although Saint Louis and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Saint Louis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Louis is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Saint Louis is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. It is also well known for the Gateway Arch. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Saint Louis different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Saint Louis is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Saint Louis are world-renowned. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Louis is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Saint Louis and Charlottesville.

Saint Louis has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Charlottesville to see the historical old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Saint Louis is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint Louis is well-known for its shopping. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Charlottesville both nice destinations for a couple.

Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Saint Louis can get you to some places easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Saint Louis or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Saint Louis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Louis than Charlottesville. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis than Charlottesville 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 Saint Louis.

One day in Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

The unexpected destination of Saint Louis offers nightlife and food. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

The city of Saint Louis offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This university town 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 Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Because Charlottesville is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 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 Saint Louis and Charlottesville, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis than you might in Charlottesville.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Charlottesville, 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 Saint Louis or Charlottesville?

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 Saint Louis or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Louis usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Charlottesville. The shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. Saint Louis is much colder than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Saint Louis