A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Atlanta for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Atlanta?

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 Sarasota and Atlanta. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sarasota travel costs.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a diverse, sprawling, and suburban city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Atlanta travel costs.

Sarasota and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Atlanta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Atlanta than Sarasota, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Atlanta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Sarasota is known for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Atlanta and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Sarasota different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Sarasota offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Atlanta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atlanta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Atlanta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Atlanta for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Sarasota has a beach worth visiting. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Families?

Sarasota is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Atlanta is a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Atlanta both good destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlanta is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Students?

Atlanta is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

Many students visit Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota and Atlanta both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Sarasota or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Atlanta is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Atlanta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Sarasota or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sarasota due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlanta than Sarasota 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 Atlanta.

One day in Sarasota or Atlanta?

In Sarasota, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Sarasota or Atlanta?

In Sarasota, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer.

Atlanta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atlanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Atlanta?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Atlanta is a popular choice for travelers. 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarasota. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarasota. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Atlanta is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarasota and Atlanta, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Atlanta.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarasota Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Atlanta, 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 Sarasota or Atlanta?

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 Sarasota or Atlanta in the Summer?

Both Atlanta and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sarasota is around the same temperature as Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. It's quite rainy in Sarasota. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Atlanta. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Atlanta in the Autumn?

Both Atlanta and Sarasota during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than Atlanta. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Atlanta in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Atlanta. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

Sarasota is much warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Atlanta during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Atlanta in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Atlanta. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Sarasota is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Atlanta. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Sarasota