A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Norfolk for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cincinnati or Norfolk?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Norfolk? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a hard-working, blue collar, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a maritime, authentic, and blue collar city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cincinnati and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cincinnati or Norfolk?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Norfolk than Cincinnati. While Cincinnati is larger than Norfolk, Norfolk has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Norfolk is very popular for its food, while Cincinnati attracts visitors for its museums. Cincinnati is famous for its breweries and down-to-earth personality. Norfolk is famous for its naval base and military presence. It is also well known for the Battleship Wisconsin.

How is Cincinnati different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cincinnati or Norfolk?

Cincinnati is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Cincinnati offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

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 Cincinnati or Norfolk? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Norfolk is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

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.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Cincinnati or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cincinnati and Norfolk.

Cincinnati has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cincinnati or Norfolk?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Norfolk and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati offers some nice shopping areas. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Norfolk has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Cincinnati or Norfolk Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cincinnati or Norfolk.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cincinnati. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

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 Cincinnati or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Cincinnati or Norfolk as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Cincinnati as a couple's destination. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Norfolk is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Cincinnati or Norfolk Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

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

Cincinnati is a popular place for its public transit. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

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.

Is Cincinnati or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Cincinnati is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Cincinnati is very walkable. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Cincinnati?

How long in Cincinnati or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cincinnati or Norfolk to fill your time. In our opinion, Cincinnati has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cincinnati than Norfolk. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Cincinnati or Norfolk?

In Cincinnati, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums and nightlife around the maritime 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 Cincinnati or Norfolk?

In Cincinnati, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or Norfolk?

Cincinnati 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.

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 Cincinnati or Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cincinnati. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cincinnati. 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cincinnati and Norfolk, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati Expensive? and Is Norfolk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Norfolk?

Cincinnati has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or Norfolk?

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 Cincinnati or Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cincinnati because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year.

In July, Cincinnati is generally around the same temperature as Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 79°F (26°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. In July, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk and Cincinnati during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Norfolk for the shopping scene.

Cincinnati is cooler than Norfolk in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 58°F (15°C) in October, and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets less rain in October than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Norfolk. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the museums and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Norfolk in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cincinnati. In the winter, Cincinnati is much colder than Norfolk. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cincinnati in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Norfolk averages at about 39°F (4°C).

Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Norfolk during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Norfolk in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Norfolk.

In April, Cincinnati is generally around the same temperature as Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 56°F (14°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in April than Norfolk. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Cincinnati