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

Should you visit Sarasota or Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg. 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. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Sarasota travel costs.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a well-preserved, historic, and charming town. Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Sarasota and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Williamsburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Sarasota and Williamsburg are both popular with visitors, Williamsburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Williamsburg is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota is known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Williamsburg is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also home to Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Sarasota different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Sarasota has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

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

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

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a good destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Sarasota offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is renowned for its old town. However, Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Williamsburg is one of the most recognized in the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Williamsburg is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Williamsburg is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and Williamsburg are terrific 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, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

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

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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 Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Sarasota and Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Sarasota or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Sarasota or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sarasota due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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

One day in Sarasota or Williamsburg?

In Sarasota, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this entertaining city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The town of Williamsburg offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Williamsburg?

Sarasota is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg 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 visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Williamsburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Williamsburg?

In Sarasota, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this entertaining destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

Sarasota is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Williamsburg, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Williamsburg?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Williamsburg. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the summer, Sarasota is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Williamsburg. Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Williamsburg. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

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

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg and Sarasota during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Williamsburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

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

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 57°F (14°C).

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

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Sarasota