A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Wilmington for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Wilmington? 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a lively, fun, and party-hard beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and beaches.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Daytona Beach and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Daytona Beach than Wilmington. While Wilmington is larger than Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Wilmington is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Daytona Beach different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Wilmington is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wilmington. 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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Wilmington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wilmington is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Wilmington area. 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Daytona Beach is a world class party destination. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Wilmington is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Daytona Beach active and fun. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Wilmington is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Wilmington to go shopping. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Families?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Wilmington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Couples?

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

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Daytona Beach is a great destination for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Wilmington is a good beach city to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

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

Wilmington is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Wilmington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

In either Daytona Beach or Wilmington, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington than Daytona Beach because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-5 days is enough time in Wilmington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wilmington than Daytona Beach 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 Wilmington.

One day in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

With live music and nightlife around the fun beach city of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Daytona Beach, a popular beach 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Wilmington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Wilmington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Wilmington. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Wilmington in the Autumn?

Both Wilmington and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Wilmington in the Winter?

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

Daytona Beach is much warmer than Wilmington in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Wilmington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Wilmington. The spring months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and Wilmington averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Daytona Beach