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

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk. 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 fun-filled, relaxing, and adventurous beach town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Norfolk

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

Cocoa Beach and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach than Norfolk, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Also, Cocoa Beach is famous for the Kennedy Space Center. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cocoa Beach offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cocoa Beach makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Cocoa Beach or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Norfolk.

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.

Norfolk has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Norfolk Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for its beaches. However, Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Cocoa Beach and Norfolk.

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.

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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach 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, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Cocoa Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

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

Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Cocoa Beach or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Norfolk are notable when it comes to 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cocoa Beach or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cocoa Beach than Norfolk because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. 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 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

In Cocoa Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the blue collar city of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

In Cocoa Beach, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cocoa Beach has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the maritime destination of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cocoa Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The authentic city of Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Norfolk. 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 Norfolk, we can see that Norfolk 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 Norfolk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Norfolk?

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

Both Norfolk and Cocoa Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Norfolk. Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Norfolk. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Norfolk in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Norfolk. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Norfolk can be very cold during winter. Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Norfolk. Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Cocoa Beach