A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Durham for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Durham?

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 Cocoa Beach and Durham. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cocoa Beach and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Durham are popular destinations, Cocoa Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also well known for the Kennedy Space Center. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Durham and Cocoa Beach.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Durham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Cocoa Beach is an experience not to be missed. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Durham has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cocoa Beach and Durham.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Durham is a great destination for shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is an amazing beach town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular family destinations. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Durham is a family-friendly beach town. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Cocoa Beach or Durham a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

Durham is generally not a very walkable beach town. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durham or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Durham. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Durham 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cocoa Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sports oriented city of Durham. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Durham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The diverse city of Durham offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Durham, we can see that Durham 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Durham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Durham, 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 Cocoa Beach or Durham?

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 Cocoa Beach or Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Durham. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite rainy in Durham. Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Durham. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Durham. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Durham. The spring months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Durham. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Durham and Cocoa Beach