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

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cape Canaveral and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cape Canaveral than Norfolk, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cape Canaveral is better known for its museums, resorts, and beaches, while Norfolk is more popular for its nightlife. Cape Canaveral is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. Also, Cape Canaveral is famous for The Kennedy Space Center. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Norfolk and Cape Canaveral. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

Cape Canaveral is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Canaveral that are not to be missed. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

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 Cape Canaveral or Norfolk? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cape Canaveral and Norfolk can be an enjoyable experience.

Cape Canaveral is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Cape Canaveral or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Norfolk is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Norfolk Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its resorts. However, Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Norfolk Better for Beaches?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its beaches. However, Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Cape Canaveral is a good option for a beach vacation. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

If you're looking to go shopping, Cape Canaveral and Norfolk both offer plenty of notable spots.

Cape Canaveral has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Norfolk Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is a very family-friendly destination. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

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 Cape Canaveral or Norfolk Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Cape Canaveral frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

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

Norfolk is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Norfolk is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cape Canaveral than Norfolk because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cape Canaveral, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Norfolk than Cape Canaveral 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 Norfolk.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

In Cape Canaveral, you'll find museums and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Norfolk, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

In Cape Canaveral, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cape Canaveral has to offer.

Norfolk is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

Cape Canaveral is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Norfolk. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Canaveral. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Cape Canaveral. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Norfolk. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Canaveral and Norfolk, we can see that Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral Expensive? and Is Norfolk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Norfolk in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Canaveral in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Norfolk. Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Norfolk. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the shopping scene.

In October, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 74°F (24°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite rainy in Cape Canaveral. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Norfolk in the Winter?

Both Norfolk and Cape Canaveral during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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. Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Norfolk. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Norfolk in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Canaveral in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Cape Canaveral