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

Should you visit Norfolk or Flagstaff?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Flagstaff? 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 authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Norfolk travel costs.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a picturesque, active, and adventurous city. Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Norfolk and Flagstaff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Flagstaff than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Flagstaff, Flagstaff has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Flagstaff is more touristy than Norfolk and is known for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. Also, Flagstaff is famous for Walnut Canyon National Monument. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Flagstaff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Norfolk and Flagstaff have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Flagstaff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

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

Flagstaff 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, Flagstaff makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

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 Flagstaff Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Norfolk or Flagstaff has a better nightlife scene.

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

If you're looking for night time activities Flagstaff has a few options to choose from. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Is Norfolk or Flagstaff Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Flagstaff specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Is Norfolk or Flagstaff More Beautiful?

Flagstaff is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Norfolk is not a destination known for its beauty.

Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Norfolk is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Norfolk or Flagstaff Better for Families?

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

Flagstaff is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

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 Flagstaff Better for Couples?

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

Flagstaff is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

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 Flagstaff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

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 Flagstaff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Norfolk and Flagstaff.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Norfolk or Flagstaff a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Flagstaff both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Flagstaff is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Flagstaff or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

It's fun to spend time in either Norfolk or Flagstaff. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Flagstaff due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Norfolk, and 2-4 days is enough time in Flagstaff.

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

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

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

One day in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Norfolk. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Norfolk has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Flagstaff, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city 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 Flagstaff?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Norfolk. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Flagstaff, you'll find food and shopping. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flagstaff has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the blue collar city of Norfolk. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Flagstaff is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Norfolk or Flagstaff?

Norfolk is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flagstaff. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Norfolk and Flagstaff, we can see that Flagstaff is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Flagstaff?

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