A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wilmington vs. Montreal for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Wilmington or Montreal?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Montreal, 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 welcoming, charming, and historic city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wilmington travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a cultural, vibrant, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music. See Montreal travel costs.

Wilmington and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Montreal?

You'll generally find more things to do in Montreal than Wilmington. Montreal is bigger than Wilmington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Montreal is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Wilmington is more popular for its beaches. Montreal is more touristy than Wilmington and is known for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. Also, Montreal is famous for Notre-Dame Basilica. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Wilmington different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Montreal is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Montreal from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

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 Montreal? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Montreal 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 Montreal. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

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 Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Montreal is a world class party destination. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Wilmington. 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.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Montreal is known as a music capital around the world. The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is great for the beach. However, Montreal is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Montreal is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is great for its historic old town. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Montreal to see the historical old town. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Many people head to Wilmington to see the old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Montreal?

Montreal is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Montreal. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for Families?

Wilmington and Montreal are both excellent 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.

Montreal is a very kid-friendly city. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Montreal are both excellent 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.

Montreal is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

Is Wilmington or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal 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 Montreal. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other 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 Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Montreal is a great destination for students. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

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.

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

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

Visitors to Montreal can move around easily with public transportation. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

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 Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Montreal is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Montreal?

In either Wilmington or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Montreal has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Montreal than Wilmington. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

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

Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Wilmington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montreal that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal 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 Montreal.

One day in Wilmington or Montreal?

The city of Wilmington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Montreal?

Wilmington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wilmington or Montreal?

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Montreal, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Montreal?

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Montreal 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Wilmington and Montreal, 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 Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Montreal, 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 Montreal?

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 Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Montreal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Montreal. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

Wilmington is much warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than Montreal. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Montreal. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Montreal. In the winter, Wilmington is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Montreal. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Montreal in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montreal. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Wilmington