A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Fe vs. Sun Valley for Skiing, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Santa Fe and Sun Valley can help you decide which place is right for you.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a historic, charming, and artsy historic town. Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, live music, and food. See Santa Fe travel costs.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a active, adventurous, and outdoorsy town. With stunning beauty, Sun Valley attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Sun Valley travel costs.

Santa Fe and Sun Valley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Fe than Sun Valley, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Fe is better known for its museums and attractions, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Sun Valley is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sun Valley is more touristy than Santa Fe and is popular for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway. Santa Fe is well known for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. Also, Santa Fe is famous for The Museum of New Mexico Complex.

How is Santa Fe different from Sun Valley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sun Valley and Santa Fe. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Skiing?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for skiing. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for snow skiing.

Sun Valley is among the world's best ski destinations. There are plenty of slopes that are accessible by lift as well as backcountry terrain for those who are more adventurous. The ski areas include Bald Mountain, which is next to Ketchum, and Dollar Mountain, by Sun Valley. Bald Mountain is best for advanced skiers and Dollar Mountain has options for beginners and intermediates.

Santa Fe is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Santa Fe is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Sun Valley is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Santa Fe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

While most people don't head to Sun Valley specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Museums in the area include the Sun Valley Museum of Art and the Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

Is the Food Better in Santa Fe or Sun Valley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Santa Fe and Sun Valley can be an enjoyable experience.

Santa Fe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sun Valley makes for a great culinary experience. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Nightlife?

Sun Valley is very good for its evening party scene. However, Santa Fe is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Sun Valley has a few options to choose from. It's a low key town with relaxing bars and breweries where you can enjoy a cold drink after a day on the slopes. It's not a party town that's high energy, but there are plenty of places where you can hang out in a mellow setting.

Most people don't head to Santa Fe specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a good destination for live music. However, Sun Valley is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Sun Valley is not a live music destination.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Resorts?

Sun Valley is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sun Valley. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.

Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Sun Valley does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Santa Fe. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

Sun Valley does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Hiking?

Sun Valley is a great town for hiking. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Sun Valley for the hiking trails. During the warmer months you'll enjoy miles of hiking trails in the area that take you by fields of wildflowers and to scenic mountain overlooks. White Cloud Trails is a relatively easy 4 mile trail that many visitors enjoy. Baker Lake and Taylor Canyon are also nice options.

Santa Fe has hiking trails worth exploring. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Santa Fe is a great destination for shopping. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sun Valley. While most visitors spend their time adventuring outdoors, there are also plenty of shopping options in the area. Whether you need to pick up hiking or ski gear, or you want to browse some local boutiques, you'll find shops that meet your need.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley More Beautiful?

Sun Valley is a great town for its scenery and beauty. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Sun Valley attracts visitors from all around. The resort town is surrounded by impressive mountains and pristine natural beauty.

Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Families?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its family-friendly activities.

Sun Valley is one of the most popular family destinations. During the winter months there's skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities. During the warmer months families will enjoy riding the Roundhouse Express Gondola, hiking through the mountains, or horseback riding.

Santa Fe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Couples?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Sun Valley has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities will love a romantic getaway to the area. There's also a charming downtown area that has great restaurants. In the surrounding countryside there's plenty of spectacular hikes that couples will enjoy as well.

Santa Fe is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sun Valley is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Santa Fe is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Sun Valley. There are a couple of hostels in the area and plenty of activities that appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Santa Fe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as several campgrounds.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Students?

Santa Fe is a good destination for students. However, Sun Valley is not popular with students.

Santa Fe is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

Sun Valley is not popular with students.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sun Valley is a great town for times when you don't have a car. However, Santa Fe is not known for its public transit.

Sun Valley offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are free shuttle buses that run through Wood River Valley including connections between the Village and Dollar and Bald Mountains. It's also connected to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Is Santa Fe or Sun Valley a more walkable city?

Sun Valley is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its walkability.

Sun Valley is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.

Santa Fe is very walkable. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Fe Worth Visiting? and Is Sun Valley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sun Valley or Santa Fe?

How long in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Both Santa Fe and Sun Valley have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sun Valley than in Santa Fe. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Santa Fe, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sun Valley.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sun Valley than Santa Fe 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 Sun Valley.

One day in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

With live music and food around the artsy historic town of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Sun Valley offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

With food and shopping around the destination of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this historic town.

Sun Valley is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Santa Fe, a popular historic town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this historic town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sun Valley is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sun Valley, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Santa Fe is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sun Valley is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sun Valley has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Fe and Sun Valley, we can see that Sun Valley 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 Santa Fe Expensive? and Is Sun Valley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Fe or Sun Valley?

Santa Fe has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Santa Fe and Sun Valley, 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.