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

Should you visit Wilmington or Moab?

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

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

Moab

Moab is a adventurous, active, and scenic town. Many visitors also come to Moab because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

Wilmington and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Moab?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Moab. Although Wilmington and Moab are both popular with visitors, Moab has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Moab is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Wilmington is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights. Moab is more touristy than Wilmington and is known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also home to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Wilmington different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wilmington is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

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

Wilmington is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Moab is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a popular place for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

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.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is great for its beaches. However, Moab 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.

Moab is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for its Old Town?

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

Moab does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Moab draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Moab?

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

Moab offers some nice shopping areas. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Is Wilmington or Moab More Beautiful?

Moab is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Moab because of it's amazing beauty. The desert landscapes and unique geological features make this a fascinating and beautiful area to explore. The dramatic arches in Arches National Park tell a unique story of how the geology of the area has changed.

Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Families?

Wilmington and Moab are both very good 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.

Moab is a very kid-friendly city. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Moab 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.

Moab is a very popular place to visit for couples. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Is Wilmington or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Moab is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

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 Moab Better for Students?

Wilmington is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Moab is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Moab is not popular with students.

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

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

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 limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Wilmington or Moab a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a popular place for its walkability. However, Moab is not a good destination 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.

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Moab or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Moab?

In either Wilmington or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Wilmington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wilmington than Moab. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping around the active town of Moab, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Moab?

Wilmington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With shopping around the destination of Moab, 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. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Wilmington or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Moab, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Moab?

The welcoming city of Wilmington offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Moab is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Wilmington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wilmington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wilmington 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Wilmington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Moab?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Moab, 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.