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

Should you visit Sarasota or Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan. 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 underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sarasota travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a scenic, quaint, and local town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of Ketchikan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Sarasota and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Ketchikan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ketchikan. Although Sarasota and Ketchikan are popular destinations, Ketchikan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ketchikan is very popular for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Ketchikan is famous for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. It is also well known for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

How is Sarasota different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

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

Eat your way through Ketchikan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is very good for its resorts. However, Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is very good for its beaches. However, Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sarasota to enjoy the beach. 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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is renowned for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Ketchikan is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Ketchikan?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Ketchikan both offer plenty of nice 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 Ketchikan to go shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

Ketchikan is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Ketchikan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Sarasota is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sarasota is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ketchikan is very family-friendly. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Ketchikan is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Ketchikan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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

Sarasota and Ketchikan both offer reasonable 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 Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Sarasota or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

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

Ketchikan is a very walkable town. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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 Ketchikan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Ketchikan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Ketchikan. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ketchikan.

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

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

One day in Sarasota or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sarasota. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful town of Ketchikan offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the underrated destination of Sarasota. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Ketchikan?

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing city of Sarasota. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?

Sarasota is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Ketchikan is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This 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 Ketchikan, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Ketchikan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ketchikan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Ketchikan?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

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 Sarasota or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Ketchikan. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Ketchikan. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sarasota is much warmer than Ketchikan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Sarasota