A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Columbia River Gorge for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge, 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Wilmington travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a scenic, natural, and beautiful region. Columbia River Gorge is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wilmington. Although Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge are both popular with visitors, Wilmington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wilmington is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, and historical sights, while Columbia River Gorge is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Columbia River Gorge is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge.

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 Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is great for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge offers some nice shopping areas. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

Columbia River Gorge is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Columbia River Gorge is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge are both superb destinations for the whole family.

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.

Columbia River Gorge is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge are both superb 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.

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Columbia River Gorge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for students. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Wilmington Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge than Wilmington 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wilmington. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and nightlife around the beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Wilmington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 food around the destination of Columbia River Gorge, 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 region.

Five days in Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Wilmington for five days. Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the city of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Columbia River Gorge, a popular region, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

The welcoming destination of Wilmington offers nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the summer, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Columbia River Gorge. The shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Wilmington is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

Wilmington is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Wilmington