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

Should you visit Sarasota or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk. 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 beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sarasota travel costs.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a maritime, authentic, and blue collar city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Norfolk travel costs.

Sarasota and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Norfolk?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sarasota than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also well known for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Norfolk is famous for its naval base and military presence.

How is Sarasota different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarasota is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Sarasota and Norfolk.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Norfolk area. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Sarasota and Norfolk.

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 Norfolk. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a popular place for its resorts. However, Norfolk is not a resort destination.

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

Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a popular place for its beaches. However, Norfolk is not a beach destination.

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.

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Norfolk?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Norfolk 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 Norfolk to go shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk Better for Families?

Sarasota is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sarasota is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Norfolk offers lots of family activities. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Sarasota is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Sarasota is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

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

Sarasota and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Sarasota or Norfolk a more walkable city?

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

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Norfolk Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sarasota or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sarasota than Norfolk 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 Norfolk.

Families should spend more time in Sarasota than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. 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 Sarasota than Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk offers food 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 Norfolk?

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.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk 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 Norfolk, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Norfolk. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the summer, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Norfolk. Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Norfolk. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Norfolk in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Sarasota is a little warmer than Norfolk in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Norfolk in the Winter?

Both Norfolk and Sarasota during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Norfolk can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Norfolk averages at about 39°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Norfolk. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Norfolk. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Norfolk in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Norfolk. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Sarasota