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

Should you visit Wilmington or Norfolk?

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

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

Norfolk

Norfolk is a blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Norfolk travel costs.

Wilmington and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Norfolk?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wilmington than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wilmington is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

How is Wilmington different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

Both Wilmington and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Norfolk. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for Beaches?

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

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for its Old Town?

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

Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Norfolk?

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

Norfolk offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for Families?

Wilmington is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Norfolk offers lots of family activities. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a great destination for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Wilmington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk Better for Students?

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

Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Wilmington or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Wilmington and Norfolk 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.

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Wilmington or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Wilmington than Norfolk because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

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

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 authentic city of Norfolk, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Norfolk, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

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

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the summer, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Norfolk. Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Norfolk. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk 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 Norfolk because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Wilmington is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Norfolk averages at about 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Norfolk in the Winter?

Both Norfolk 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 Norfolk this time of year.

It's quite cold in Norfolk in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Norfolk. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Norfolk in the Spring?

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

Wilmington is a little warmer than Norfolk in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Wilmington