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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Durango?

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 Durango. 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 under rated, unexpected, and fascinating city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Durango

Durango is a nature-filled, historic, and charming small town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Durango is a gorgeous place to visit. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Saint Louis and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Durango?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although Saint Louis and Durango are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Louis is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Durango is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Saint Louis different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a small town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Saint Louis is not a skiing destination.

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

Saint Louis is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Saint Louis from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Durango offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

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

Saint Louis is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Saint Louis. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Durango to see the historical old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Durango?

Saint Louis is a very popular place for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Saint Louis or Durango More Beautiful?

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

Durango is a gorgeous place to visit. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Durango are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Saint Louis is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Durango is very family-friendly. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Couples?

Saint Louis is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Saint Louis or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

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

Saint Louis is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors to Saint Louis can move around easily with public transportation. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Saint Louis or Durango a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Durango or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Durango?

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Louis than Durango. 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 Durango than Saint Louis 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 Durango.

One day in Saint Louis or Durango?

In Saint Louis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Durango is a small town with plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Durango?

In Saint Louis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This small 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 Durango?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Because Durango is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Durango is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Durango, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Durango much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durango would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durango 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 Durango.

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 Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Durango?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Durango, 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.