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

Should you visit Wilmington or Cleveland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Cleveland, 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Wilmington travel costs.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music. See Cleveland travel costs.

Wilmington and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Cleveland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wilmington than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wilmington is more popular for its food, beaches, and historical sights, while Cleveland is known for its museums and attractions and music. Wilmington is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Wilmington different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cleveland is great for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cleveland can be an interesting and educational experience. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Wilmington and Cleveland.

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 Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is great for live music. However, Wilmington is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland draws a good crowd. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Cleveland is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wilmington. 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Cleveland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Cleveland 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.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Families?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Wilmington makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Cleveland both offer decent public transit to get you around.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Wilmington or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options 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.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Cleveland?

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

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

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 nightlife around the diverse city of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cleveland, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming 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 nightlife and live music around the destination of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. 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 Cleveland?

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.

Cleveland, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Cleveland?

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.

Cleveland 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wilmington and Cleveland, we can see that Wilmington is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington than you might in Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wilmington or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Cleveland. The summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Cleveland during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Cleveland. The shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Wilmington is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cleveland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cleveland can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Wilmington during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches.

Wilmington is much warmer than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cleveland. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Wilmington