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

Should you visit Wilmington or Chattanooga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Chattanooga, 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 welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Wilmington travel costs.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a outdoorsy, thriving, and bustling city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Chattanooga travel costs.

Wilmington and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wilmington than Chattanooga. While Chattanooga is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wilmington is better known for its beaches and historical sights, while Chattanooga is more popular for its hiking. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina. Chattanooga is well known for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Wilmington different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Chattanooga.

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.

Chattanooga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

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

Both Wilmington and Chattanooga offer a number of notable 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 Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Wilmington and Chattanooga.

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Chattanooga. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a great destination for the beach. However, Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is great for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga for the hiking trails. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Chattanooga both offer plenty of notable 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.

Chattanooga offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Families?

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

Wilmington is known to be 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.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a great destination for couples. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Wilmington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga Better for Students?

Wilmington is a popular place for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Wilmington is popular with students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Chattanooga can move around easily with public transportation. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

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.

Is Wilmington or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Chattanooga is very walkable. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

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

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga. 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.

One day in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Wilmington. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy city of Chattanooga, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Chattanooga, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wilmington or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic city of Wilmington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wilmington. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Chattanooga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

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 Chattanooga in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Wilmington is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the summer, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Chattanooga in the Winter?

Both Chattanooga and Wilmington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In the winter, Wilmington is much warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wilmington usually gets less rain in January than Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Chattanooga. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In April, Wilmington is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Wilmington