A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Hilton Head Island for Families, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island. 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sarasota travel costs.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a family-friendly, relaxing, and peaceful coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and food. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Sarasota and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarasota. Although Sarasota and Hilton Head Island are both popular with visitors, Sarasota has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sarasota is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife, while Hilton Head Island is known for its food, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Hilton Head Island is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Sarasota different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island?

Sarasota is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Sarasota specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

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 Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Hilton Head Island to choose from. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

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

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is great for the beach. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Many people visit Hilton Head Island for it's beautiful beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Hilton Head Island both offer plenty of good 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 Hilton Head Island to go shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island More Beautiful?

Hilton Head Island is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place to visit, too. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and Hilton Head Island are first-rate family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sarasota is very family-friendly. 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hilton Head Island is a very family-friendly destination. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island is a good city for couples to visit. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

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

Sarasota is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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 limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Sarasota or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Hilton Head Island are decent 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.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Both Sarasota and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Sarasota. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarasota than Hilton Head Island 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 Sarasota.

One day in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Sarasota. This city offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal town of Hilton Head Island offers shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Hilton Head Island?

Sarasota is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing city of Sarasota. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer.

Hilton Head Island 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 Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sarasota. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer.

Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilton Head Island, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Sarasota is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Hilton Head Island is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilton Head Island has to offer. This coastal town 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 Hilton Head Island, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Hilton Head Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilton Head Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Hilton Head Island?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Hilton Head Island. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Hilton Head Island. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

Both Hilton Head Island and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Sarasota is much warmer than Hilton Head Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Hilton Head Island during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

In the spring, Sarasota is a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Hilton Head Island. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Sarasota