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

Should you visit Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh. 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Sarasota travel costs.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a authentic, under-rated, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pittsburgh travel costs.

Sarasota and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pittsburgh than Sarasota, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pittsburgh is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Sarasota is known for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Pittsburgh is popular for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". It is also home to Mount Washington.

How is Sarasota different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Pittsburgh.

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.

Pittsburgh offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Sarasota and Pittsburgh.

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 Pittsburgh area. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Sarasota or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Pittsburgh is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Pittsburgh for the nightlife scene. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

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.

Is Sarasota or Pittsburgh Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

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

Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Pittsburgh Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.

Sarasota has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh to go shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Sarasota or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

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

Sarasota is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Sarasota or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

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

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

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 Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

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

Pittsburgh is a somewhat walkable place. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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 Pittsburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

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

Families should spend more time in Sarasota than Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.

One day in Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Pittsburgh offers food and shopping. 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 Pittsburgh?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

Sarasota, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

Sarasota is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Pittsburgh, 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.