A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sarasota vs. Calgary for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Calgary?

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 Calgary. 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 relaxing, entertaining, and underrated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sarasota travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a local, authentic, and western city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Calgary travel costs.

Sarasota and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Calgary?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sarasota than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is well known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Also, Sarasota is famous for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Calgary is well known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Sarasota different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sarasota. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

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

Sarasota is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Sarasota. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Sarasota and Calgary.

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

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Calgary. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sarasota makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a city with good options for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sarasota. 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.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Calgary?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Calgary both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. 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.

Many visitors go to Calgary to go shopping. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Families?

Sarasota is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Calgary both notable 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.

Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Sarasota or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

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

Calgary is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Calgary offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

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

Is Sarasota or Calgary a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Calgary are respectable when it comes to walkability.

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

Calgary is generally not very walkable. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

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

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sarasota or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sarasota than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

One day in Sarasota or Calgary?

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.

The city of Calgary offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Calgary?

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.

Calgary 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 Calgary, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Calgary?

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.

Calgary 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 Calgary?

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.

Calgary 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Calgary, 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.