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

Should you visit Dallas or Norfolk?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Norfolk can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Norfolk

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

Dallas and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Norfolk?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dallas than Norfolk. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also well known for the Sixth Floor Museum. Norfolk is famous for its naval base and military presence.

How is Dallas different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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 Dallas or Norfolk? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas 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, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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 Dallas or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Dallas know how to have a good time. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

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 Dallas or Norfolk?

Dallas is a great destination for shopping. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Dallas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Dallas or Norfolk Better for Families?

Dallas is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas or Norfolk Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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

Dallas 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 Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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 Dallas or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Norfolk is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dallas or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dallas than Norfolk because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

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

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

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

One day in Dallas or Norfolk?

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Norfolk. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dallas or Norfolk?

In Dallas, you'll find food 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 Dallas has to offer.

Norfolk 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.

Five days in Dallas or Norfolk?

Dallas 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. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dallas or Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 authentic destination of Norfolk. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Norfolk?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas or Norfolk in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Norfolk. Most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 88°F (31°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during summer. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Norfolk receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dallas usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Norfolk. The autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year.

Dallas is a little warmer than Norfolk in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the autumn, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Norfolk. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Norfolk in the Winter?

Both Norfolk and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Norfolk. In the winter, Dallas is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dallas in January average around 46°F (8°C), and Norfolk averages at about 39°F (4°C).

Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during winter. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and Dallas during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In April, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 68°F (20°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the spring, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Norfolk. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Dallas