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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Saint Louis and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Saint Louis, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower. Saint Louis is popular 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 Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Saint Louis and Toronto have fantastic landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. 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.

The museums and tourist attractions in Toronto are world-renowned. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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

Toronto 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, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

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 Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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.

Is Saint Louis or Toronto Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Toronto 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, Toronto is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Saint Louis or Toronto Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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 Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

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 Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Is Saint Louis or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Toronto is very walkable. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Toronto?

Both Saint Louis and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Saint Louis. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto 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 Toronto.

One day in Saint Louis or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a diverse city where you can fill many days. 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Saint Louis or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Toronto. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. In January, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Toronto. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Toronto. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

Saint Louis is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Toronto. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Saint Louis