A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Wilmington for Nightlife, Beaches, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Key West or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit Key West 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.

Key West

Key West is a quaint, laid-back, and quirky town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a historic, welcoming, and charming city. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Key West and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Wilmington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Key West. Although Key West and Wilmington are popular destinations, Key West has more sights and attractions for tourists. Key West is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wilmington attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Key West is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. It is also well known for Duval Street. Wilmington is famous for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Key West different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key West or Wilmington?

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

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key West or Wilmington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Key West and Wilmington.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Key West. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Wilmington is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Key West is great for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Key West for the nightlife scene. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

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 Key West or Wilmington Better for Resorts?

Key West is great for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Key West is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Key West has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Key West and Wilmington are very good choices.

Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

Key West is great for its historic old town. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Key West to see the historical old town. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Many people head to Wilmington to see the old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Wilmington?

Wilmington is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Key West or Wilmington.

Key West is a very kid-friendly town. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wilmington. 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.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Key West and Wilmington make for a very good place to visit.

Key West is a very popular place to visit for couples. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

Wilmington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Key West or Wilmington Better for Students?

Key West is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Key West is a great town to visit as a student. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

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

Is Key West 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, Key West is a mediocre town 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 Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Key West or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Key West and Wilmington both are nice when exploring on foot.

Key West is a somewhat walkable place. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable town. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Wilmington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or Key West?

How long in Key West or Wilmington?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Key West than Wilmington 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 Key West.

One day in Key West or Wilmington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the quirky town of Key West, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Wilmington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Key West or Wilmington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Key West, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Wilmington 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Key West or Wilmington?

Key West, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Key West or Wilmington?

Key West is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Key West or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West 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 Key West or Wilmington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Wilmington. Many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Wilmington. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. Key West usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Wilmington in the Autumn?

Both Wilmington and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

Key West is a little warmer than Wilmington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Wilmington during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Should I visit Key West or Wilmington in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Key West is much warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Wilmington averages at about 45°F (7°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than Wilmington. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Wilmington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Wilmington. The spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In April, Key West is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Wilmington during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Key West