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

Should you visit Wilmington or Anchorage?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Anchorage, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a charming, historic, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Wilmington travel costs.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a outdoorsy, scenic, and breathtaking city. Many visitors also come to Anchorage because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking. See Anchorage travel costs.

Wilmington and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Anchorage?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wilmington than Anchorage. While Anchorage is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wilmington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Anchorage is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina.

How is Wilmington different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wilmington or Anchorage?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Wilmington or Anchorage.

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Wilmington and Anchorage offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Anchorage. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Anchorage is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Anchorage is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Wilmington to see the historical old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Anchorage draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Anchorage?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Anchorage both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Anchorage offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage More Beautiful?

Anchorage is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Anchorage because of it's amazing beauty. The city offers access to spectacular beauty. It's surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and vast wilderness.

Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Families?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Anchorage are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Wilmington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Anchorage is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Students?

Wilmington is a city with good options for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Wilmington is a good city to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wilmington is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Wilmington or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Wilmington is somewhat walkable. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Wilmington Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wilmington and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wilmington than Anchorage 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 Wilmington.

One day in Wilmington or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wilmington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the outdoorsy city of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Anchorage, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wilmington or Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and food around the welcoming city of Wilmington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Anchorage, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Anchorage?

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Anchorage is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Wilmington and Anchorage, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Anchorage, 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 Wilmington or Anchorage?

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 Wilmington or Anchorage in the Summer?

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

Wilmington is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the summer, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Anchorage. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Wilmington is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).

In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Anchorage in the Winter?

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

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Wilmington is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Wilmington