A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wilmington vs. Halifax for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Wilmington or Halifax?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Halifax, 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.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Halifax travel costs.

Wilmington and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Halifax?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wilmington than Halifax. While Halifax is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina. Halifax is popular for its maritime past.

How is Wilmington different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

Both Wilmington and Halifax 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 Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Halifax?

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

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for Families?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Halifax 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 Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a very popular place for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Wilmington or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax 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 Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town 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 Halifax Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

Halifax is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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 Halifax a more walkable city?

Wilmington and Halifax are good when it comes to 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.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Halifax?

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

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

One day in Wilmington or Halifax?

In Wilmington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Halifax, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Halifax?

In Wilmington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Halifax, 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 Halifax?

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Halifax, 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Halifax 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 Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Halifax in the Summer?

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

Wilmington is much warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Halifax. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Halifax in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Wilmington is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax 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 Halifax in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Halifax can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Halifax. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Halifax in the Spring?

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

Halifax can be very cold during spring. Wilmington is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wilmington usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Wilmington