A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Louis vs. Niagara Falls for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls. 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a iconic, breathtaking, and impressive city. Niagara Falls is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Saint Louis and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Niagara Falls than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Niagara Falls is very popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. It is also well known for the Journey Behind the Falls. Saint Louis is famous 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 Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Saint Louis are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Niagara Falls can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Niagara Falls has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Niagara Falls has a few options to choose from. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

Saint Louis is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Saint Louis is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Niagara Falls is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Niagara Falls is very family-friendly. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

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.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Niagara Falls is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Niagara Falls frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

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

Saint Louis is notable for its public transit. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Niagara Falls has some public transit options. There is a bus system through town.

Is Saint Louis or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Niagara Falls both are nice 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.

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

One day in Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under rated destination of Saint Louis. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the breathtaking city of Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the impressive destination of Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the unexpected destination of Saint Louis. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

The impressive city of Niagara Falls offers shopping and nightlife. 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 Niagara Falls?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Louis. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Niagara Falls. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Niagara Falls, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

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 Niagara Falls Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Niagara Falls?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Niagara Falls. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Louis is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Niagara Falls. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Niagara Falls can be very cold during winter. Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Louis is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Louis is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Saint Louis