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

Should you visit Clearwater or Wilmington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Clearwater and Wilmington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a adventure-filled, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a charming, historic, and welcoming city. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Clearwater and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Wilmington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Clearwater. Although Clearwater and Wilmington are roughly the same size, Clearwater has more sights and attractions for tourists. Clearwater is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Wilmington is known for its historical sights. Clearwater is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. It is also home to Clearwater Beach. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Clearwater different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Wilmington?

Clearwater is great for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Clearwater can be an interesting and educational experience. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

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 Clearwater or Wilmington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Clearwater 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 Clearwater. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

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 Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Clearwater and Wilmington.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Resorts?

Clearwater is great for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Clearwater is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Clearwater is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Clearwater has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

Clearwater is a must-visit destination for its beaches. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beache.

The beaches in Clearwater are among the best in the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. 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.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Clearwater 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.

Clearwater does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Wilmington?

Both Clearwater and Wilmington are good shopping destinations.

Clearwater is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Families?

Both Clearwater and Wilmington are great family-friendly destinations.

Clearwater is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wilmington is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Couples?

Clearwater and Wilmington both great destinations for a couple.

Clearwater is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Wilmington makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington Better for Students?

Wilmington is a good destination for students. However, Clearwater is not popular with students.

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.

Clearwater is not popular with students.

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

Both Clearwater and Wilmington offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

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.

Is Clearwater or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Clearwater and Wilmington both are good when exploring on foot.

Clearwater is somewhat walkable. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

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 Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Wilmington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Wilmington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Clearwater or Wilmington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the outdoorsy coastal city of Clearwater, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Clearwater or Wilmington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Clearwater, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Clearwater or Wilmington?

Clearwater, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wilmington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Clearwater or Wilmington?

Clearwater is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

Wilmington 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Wilmington, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Wilmington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wilmington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wilmington 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Wilmington.

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

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Wilmington?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Wilmington, 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 Clearwater or Wilmington?

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 Clearwater or Wilmington in the Summer?

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

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Wilmington in the summer. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the summer, Clearwater often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. Clearwater receives a lot of rain in the summer. Clearwater usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Wilmington. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Wilmington in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Clearwater is a little warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Clearwater in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Wilmington averages at about 65°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during autumn. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wilmington. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Clearwater or Wilmington in the Winter?

Both Wilmington and Clearwater during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In January, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 60°F (15°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the winter, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Wilmington. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Wilmington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Wilmington. The beaches are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches.

Clearwater is a little warmer than Wilmington in the spring. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during spring. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Clearwater