A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Milwaukee vs. Oahu for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Milwaukee or Oahu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milwaukee and Oahu 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.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a welcoming, undiscovered, and friendly city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Oahu

Oahu is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and scenic island. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Milwaukee and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Oahu than Milwaukee, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Oahu is more touristy than Milwaukee and is known for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). Also, Oahu is famous for Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Milwaukee is well known for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Oahu is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oahu. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

Is the Food Better in Milwaukee or Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oahu is a island with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Oahu has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Oahu is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Oahu has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is a decent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

While it's not known for it's music scene, Oahu has some options for casual listeners. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Oahu is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

In Oahu, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Milwaukee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Oahu is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Milwaukee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is terrific for the beache. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Oahu is considered to be a world-class beach destination. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Around Oahu visitors will find world-class hiking trails. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Oahu is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Oahu is well-known for its shopping. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Many visitors go to Milwaukee to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Families?

Oahu is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Oahu is an extremely popular island to visit for families. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Couples?

Oahu is terrific for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Oahu is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is a island with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for backpackers.

Oahu is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Students?

Milwaukee is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Oahu is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Milwaukee. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Oahu is not popular with students.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Milwaukee and Oahu.

Public transit is mostly limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Milwaukee or Oahu a more walkable city?

Milwaukee is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Oahu is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting? and Is Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Both Milwaukee and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oahu than in Milwaukee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Milwaukee, and 3-7 days is enough time in Oahu.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oahu than Milwaukee 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 Oahu.

One day in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Milwaukee. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Oahu. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Milwaukee or Oahu?

Milwaukee is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the historic destination of Oahu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Milwaukee or Oahu?

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly destination of Milwaukee. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the energetic island of Oahu. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Milwaukee or Oahu?

The friendly city of Milwaukee offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Oahu is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oahu, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Milwaukee or Oahu?

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 Milwaukee or Oahu in the Summer?

Both Oahu and Milwaukee are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oahu because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Milwaukee is cooler than Oahu in the summer. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 74°F (23°C) in July, and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. Milwaukee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during summer. Milwaukee gets 321 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Oahu in the Autumn?

Both Oahu and Milwaukee during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

In the autumn, Milwaukee is much colder than Oahu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Milwaukee in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Oahu averages at about 80°F (26°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Milwaukee often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.

Milwaukee usually gets less rain in October than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Oahu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Milwaukee and Oahu. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oahu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. In January, Milwaukee is generally much colder than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 21°F (-6°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. Milwaukee usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during winter. Milwaukee gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Milwaukee usually receives less rain than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Oahu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Milwaukee as well as Oahu. Additionally, many visitors come to Oahu in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Milwaukee is much colder than Oahu in the spring. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 47°F (8°C) in April, and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In the spring, Milwaukee often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in April than Oahu. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Milwaukee