A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Norfolk vs. Banff for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Norfolk or Banff?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Norfolk or Banff? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a maritime, authentic, and blue collar city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Norfolk travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a sporty, adventurous, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Banff travel costs.

Norfolk and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Banff. Although Norfolk and Banff are popular destinations, Banff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Banff is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Norfolk attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Banff is more touristy than Norfolk and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also well known for Lake Louise. Norfolk is famous for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Banff and Norfolk. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Norfolk or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Norfolk is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Banff should be on your list. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Norfolk is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Norfolk or Banff?

Norfolk is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Banff makes for a great culinary experience. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Norfolk or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Banff know how to have a good time. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. 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 Norfolk or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

People visit Banff specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Banff?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Banff and Norfolk.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Banff. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Norfolk or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Norfolk is not a destination known for its beauty.

Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Norfolk is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Norfolk or Banff Better for Families?

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

Banff is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

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 Norfolk or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is a must-visit destination for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Banff makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

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 Norfolk or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a great destination for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

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

Banff is a popular place for its public transit. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Banff, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Public transit is mostly 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 Norfolk or Banff a more walkable city?

Banff is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Banff is very walkable. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Norfolk Worth Visiting? and Is Banff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Banff or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Banff?

In either Norfolk or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Norfolk because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Norfolk, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Norfolk. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Banff, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Norfolk or Banff?

In Norfolk, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this maritime destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Norfolk or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Norfolk. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Banff?

Norfolk is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Norfolk. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Norfolk or Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the maritime destination of Norfolk. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. Since Banff is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Norfolk and Banff, we can see that Norfolk is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff 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 Norfolk would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Norfolk than you might in Banff.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Banff?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Banff, 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.