A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Norfolk for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Norfolk can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and museums.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jekyll Island and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jekyll Island than Norfolk, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jekyll Island is better known for its resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Norfolk is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. Also, Jekyll Island is famous for Driftwood Beach. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Jekyll Island different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Norfolk and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Jekyll Island or Norfolk? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Norfolk is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Norfolk is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Norfolk is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a island with a few options for its resorts. However, Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Norfolk is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for its beaches. However, Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

Norfolk is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Norfolk has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Families?

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

Jekyll Island is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

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 Jekyll Island or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Jekyll Island is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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

Norfolk is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Norfolk is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jekyll Island or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Norfolk than Jekyll Island 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 Norfolk.

One day in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

In Jekyll Island, you'll find museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island 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 shopping and museums when visiting the blue collar destination of Norfolk. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

In Jekyll Island, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jekyll Island has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Norfolk. 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 Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the blue collar destination of Norfolk. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jekyll Island. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Jekyll Island. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Norfolk. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Jekyll Island and Norfolk, we can see that Norfolk 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 Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Norfolk Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Norfolk?

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 Jekyll Island or Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and Jekyll Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Norfolk in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Norfolk. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Norfolk for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Jekyll Island is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 70°F (21°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Norfolk. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Norfolk can be very cold. Jekyll Island is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches.

In the spring, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jekyll Island in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Jekyll Island