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

Should you visit Durham or Richmond?

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 Richmond can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Richmond

Richmond is a friendly, historical, and growing city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Durham and Richmond: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Richmond?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Richmond. Although Durham and Richmond are popular destinations, Richmond has more sights and attractions for tourists. Richmond is more touristy than Durham and is known for its cultural and historical sights. It is also well known for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Richmond?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Durham or Richmond.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Richmond can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Richmond can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is Durham or Richmond Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Richmond are nice when it comes to 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Richmond?

Both Durham and Richmond are nice 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 Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Is Durham or Richmond Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Richmond.

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.

Richmond is a family-friendly city. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Durham or Richmond Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Richmond are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Richmond is a nice destination for couples. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Is Durham or Richmond Better for Students?

Durham is notable for students. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Durham is very popular with students. 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.

Plenty of students visit Richmond. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

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

Both Durham and Richmond offer reasonable public transit options.

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 mostly limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Durham or Richmond a more walkable city?

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

Richmond is a somewhat walkable city. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

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 Richmond Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Richmond or Durham?

How long in Durham or Richmond?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Durham or Richmond to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Durham than Richmond because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Richmond.

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

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

One day in Durham or Richmond?

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.

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

A weekend in Durham or Richmond?

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.

Richmond 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond. 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 Richmond?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Richmond. 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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Richmond, 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 Durham Expensive? and Is Richmond Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Richmond?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Richmond, 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond in the Summer?

Both Richmond and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.

Durham is around the same temperature as Richmond in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Richmond. It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Richmond. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Richmond in the Autumn?

Both Richmond and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Richmond for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Richmond. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Richmond averages at about 59°F (15°C).

In Richmond, 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 Richmond. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets less rain in October than Richmond. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Richmond in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Richmond. Many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Richmond in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Richmond can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Richmond. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Richmond in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Richmond.

Durham is around the same temperature as Richmond in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the spring, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Richmond. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Richmond and Durham