A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Martha's Vineyard for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 food, beaches, and shopping. See Sarasota travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a affluent, coastal, and peaceful island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of Martha's Vineyard is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard are both popular with visitors, Martha's Vineyard has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Martha's Vineyard is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota is known for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Martha's Vineyard is popular for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also home to the Aquinnah Cliffs.

How is Sarasota different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota is a great city for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

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

Is Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is great for the beach. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

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 Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Martha's Vineyard is well-known for its shopping. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

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 Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Martha's Vineyard is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

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 Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarasota than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and food around the underrated destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Sarasota is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island 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 Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Martha's Vineyard much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Martha's Vineyard would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard.

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

When is the best time to visit Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In the summer, Sarasota is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sarasota. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Sarasota during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Sarasota