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

Should you visit Norfolk or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Halifax? 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 blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Norfolk travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Halifax travel costs.

Norfolk and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Halifax?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Halifax than Norfolk, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Halifax is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its maritime past. It is also home to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Norfolk and Halifax have good 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

Both Norfolk and Halifax offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Halifax has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Norfolk or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Norfolk or Halifax 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 Halifax has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Halifax?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Halifax 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 Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Norfolk or Halifax Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Halifax.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Norfolk. 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.

Halifax offers lots of family activities. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Norfolk or Halifax Better for Couples?

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

Halifax is a nice destination for couples. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

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 Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Halifax 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 Halifax, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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 Halifax a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Halifax both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Norfolk and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Halifax than in Norfolk. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Norfolk, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

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

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

One day in Norfolk or Halifax?

In Norfolk, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Halifax, 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.

A weekend in Norfolk or Halifax?

In Norfolk, 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 Norfolk has to offer.

In Halifax, 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 Halifax has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Halifax?

Norfolk is a great place to explore. 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.

Halifax is a great place to explore. 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Norfolk. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Norfolk. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halifax. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Halifax. 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Norfolk and Halifax, we can see that Norfolk is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Halifax, 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 Norfolk or Halifax?

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 Norfolk or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Halifax in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Norfolk is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In the summer, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Norfolk receives a lot of rain in the summer. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Norfolk in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Halifax for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Norfolk is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Norfolk in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Halifax. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Norfolk or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Norfolk during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Halifax because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Norfolk can be very cold during winter. In January, Norfolk is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 39°F (4°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Norfolk usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Halifax.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. Norfolk is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Halifax. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Norfolk