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

Should you visit Wilmington or Victoria?

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

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

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Victoria travel costs.

Wilmington and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Victoria?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wilmington than Victoria. While Victoria is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wilmington is better known for its beaches and historical sights, while Victoria is more popular for its hiking. Victoria is more touristy than Wilmington and is known for its colonial buildings and public parks. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina.

How is Wilmington different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Victoria.

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.

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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

Both Wilmington and Victoria offer a number of notable 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 Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Wilmington and Victoria.

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 Victoria. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a very popular place for the beach. However, Victoria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wilmington for it's beautiful 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.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Victoria does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington has an old town worth visiting. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Victoria does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Victoria has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Victoria?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Victoria both offer plenty of notable 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.

Victoria offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Families?

Wilmington and Victoria are both great 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.

Victoria is a very kid-friendly city. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Victoria are both great 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.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is Wilmington or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria 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 Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

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 Victoria Better for Students?

Wilmington is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Victoria both offer respectable 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 Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Wilmington or Victoria a more walkable city?

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

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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 Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Wilmington or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wilmington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Victoria. 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.

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

One day in Wilmington or Victoria?

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.

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Victoria, there's plenty to do. 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 Victoria?

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.

Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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.

Victoria 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Victoria?

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

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Victoria. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Victoria. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Victoria. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Wilmington is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Victoria. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In the winter, Wilmington is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Victoria. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Wilmington during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches.

In April, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wilmington usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Wilmington