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

Should you visit Wilmington or Hershey?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Hershey, 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 beaches, shopping, and museums. See Wilmington travel costs.

Hershey

Hershey is a lighthearted, fun-filled, and playful town. Other reasons to visit include shopping and museums. See Hershey travel costs.

Wilmington and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Hershey?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wilmington. Although Wilmington and Hershey are both popular with visitors, Wilmington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wilmington is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Hershey is known for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. 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 Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

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

Wilmington is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Wilmington offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Wilmington has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Hershey is great for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Hershey is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a great destination for its beaches. However, Hershey 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.

Hershey is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Hershey 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.

Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Hershey?

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

Hershey offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Families?

Hershey is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Hershey is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Wilmington is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Hershey are both very good 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.

Hershey is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Is Wilmington or Hershey Better for Students?

Wilmington is a popular place for students. However, Hershey 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.

Hershey is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Hershey 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Wilmington or Hershey a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a popular place for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal 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.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Hershey or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Hershey?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Wilmington than Hershey. 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 Hershey 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 Hershey?

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 shopping around the fun-filled town of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Hershey?

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Wilmington or Hershey?

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.

Hershey, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hershey?

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.

Hershey 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 Hershey, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Hershey?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

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

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Hershey in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Hershey fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the summer, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Hershey. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey 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 Hershey because of the shopping scene.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Hershey. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey 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 Hershey this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Hershey. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hershey in the Spring?

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

Wilmington is a little warmer than Hershey in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Hershey fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Hershey. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Wilmington