A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Beaufort for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Durham or Beaufort?

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 Durham and Beaufort can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a charming, historic, and character-filled town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Durham and Beaufort: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Beaufort?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beaufort than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beaufort is better known for its food, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Durham is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Beaufort is more touristy than Durham and is known for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes. Also, Beaufort is famous for Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Beaufort?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Beaufort?

Durham is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

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

Beaufort 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 Beaufort is an experience not to be missed. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

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 Durham or Beaufort Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Durham or Beaufort Better for Beaches?

Beaufort is very good for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Beaufort to enjoy the beach. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is Durham or Beaufort Better for its Old Town?

Beaufort is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Durham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Beaufort. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Durham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Beaufort?

Both Durham and Beaufort are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Durham or Beaufort Better for Families?

Durham is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Durham or Beaufort Better for Couples?

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

Beaufort is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

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 Durham or Beaufort Better for Students?

Durham is notable for students. However, Beaufort is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Beaufort is not popular with students.

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

Durham is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Durham or Beaufort a more walkable city?

Beaufort is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Beaufort is a very walkable destination. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Beaufort or Durham?

How long in Durham or Beaufort?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Beaufort. In our opinion, Durham has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Durham than Beaufort. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Durham or Beaufort?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Beaufort might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Beaufort?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Beaufort 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 Durham or Beaufort?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaufort. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Durham or Beaufort?

Durham is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Beaufort is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Beaufort?

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

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 Durham or Beaufort in the Summer?

Both Beaufort and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as Beaufort. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Beaufort averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Beaufort. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives less rain than Beaufort. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Beaufort in the Autumn?

Both Beaufort and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaufort in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Durham is generally cooler than Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and Beaufort fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the autumn, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Beaufort. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Beaufort in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Beaufort. Many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beaufort for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. Durham is much colder than Beaufort in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Beaufort fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Durham usually receives less sunshine than Beaufort during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Beaufort. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Beaufort in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Beaufort. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Durham is cooler than Beaufort. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Beaufort averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the spring, Durham often gets less sunshine than Beaufort. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Beaufort. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaufort and Durham