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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

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 Flagstaff. 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 fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a picturesque, active, and adventurous city. Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Saint Louis and Flagstaff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Flagstaff than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Flagstaff, Flagstaff has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Flagstaff is better known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. Flagstaff is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. Also, Flagstaff is famous for Walnut Canyon National Monument. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Flagstaff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Saint Louis on the map. 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.

Flagstaff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

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

Flagstaff is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flagstaff makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

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.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Flagstaff has a few options to choose from. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Flagstaff is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

Saint Louis is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Flagstaff. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff More Beautiful?

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

Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Flagstaff are very good 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, Flagstaff is very family-friendly. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Flagstaff both notable 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.

Flagstaff makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

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

Flagstaff is well known for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Flagstaff. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

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 Flagstaff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is well known for its public transit. However, Flagstaff is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Saint Louis offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Saint Louis or Flagstaff a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Flagstaff both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Flagstaff is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Flagstaff or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Louis or Flagstaff. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Flagstaff due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-4 days is enough time in Flagstaff.

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

One day in Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Louis. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque city of Flagstaff. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Flagstaff?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Saint Louis. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Flagstaff. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Saint Louis. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The picturesque city of Flagstaff offers shopping and museums. 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 Flagstaff?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Flagstaff, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Flagstaff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Flagstaff?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Flagstaff. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Flagstaff, 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.