A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Norfolk vs. Hope for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Norfolk or Hope?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Hope? 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Norfolk travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a small, friendly, and local town. It's also known for hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Norfolk and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Hope?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hope. Although Norfolk and Hope are both popular with visitors, Hope has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hope is more popular for its hiking, while Norfolk is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Hope is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." It is also home to Othello Tunnels. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Norfolk is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

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

Norfolk is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Norfolk. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Norfolk or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Norfolk is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Norfolk or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Hope?

Norfolk is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Norfolk or Hope Better for Families?

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

Hope is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

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 Hope Better for Couples?

Hope is a great destination for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Hope frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

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 Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hope 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 Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities 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 Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Norfolk is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Norfolk or Hope a more walkable city?

Norfolk is very good for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Hope?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Norfolk than Hope 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 Norfolk.

One day in Norfolk or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Norfolk. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Hope, you'll find . 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 Hope?

Norfolk is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Hope, you'll find . 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 Hope has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the maritime destination of Norfolk. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope 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 Hope?

The maritime city of Norfolk offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. Many people enjoy the when visiting Hope. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Hope?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Norfolk during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Hope. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Norfolk is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Norfolk in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Hope. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Norfolk or Hope in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Hope. Many visitors come to Norfolk in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Norfolk is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 39°F (4°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Norfolk usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Norfolk is much warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In April, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Hope. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hope and Norfolk