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

Should you visit Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a sports oriented, diverse, and student-filled city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a high energy, fun-filled, and lighthearted city. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Durham and Wisconsin Dells: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wisconsin Dells. Although Durham and Wisconsin Dells are both popular with visitors, Wisconsin Dells has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wisconsin Dells is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Durham is known for its museums and shopping. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Durham and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. It is also home to Noah's Ark Water Park. Durham is popular for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Wisconsin Dells?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Durham is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

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

While most people don't head to Wisconsin Dells specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Wisconsin Dells can be difficult as they are each good 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 Wisconsin Dells. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Nightlife?

Wisconsin Dells is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Wisconsin Dells offers plenty to do in the evening. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Resorts?

Wisconsin Dells is very good for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Hiking?

Wisconsin Dells is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wisconsin Dells. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

Durham is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Durham offers some nice shopping areas. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Families?

Wisconsin Dells is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Wisconsin Dells is one of the most popular family destinations. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Durham is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Wisconsin Dells are good 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.

Wisconsin Dells is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells Better for Students?

Durham is a great destination for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.

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

Durham is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options 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 Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.

Is Durham or Wisconsin Dells a more walkable city?

Durham and Wisconsin Dells both are decent when exploring on foot.

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

Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Wisconsin Dells or Durham?

How long in Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

It's fun to spend time in either Durham or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells?

The student-filled destination of Durham offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wisconsin Dells. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells?

Durham is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lighthearted destination of Wisconsin Dells. 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 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 comparing the travel costs between Durham and Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Wisconsin Dells?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Wisconsin Dells. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Durham is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as Wisconsin Dells. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

Durham is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the autumn, Durham often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Durham 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 Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Wisconsin Dells. It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In the winter, Durham is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 19°F (-7°C).

Durham usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Durham is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the spring, Durham often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Durham