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

Should you visit Norfolk or Milwaukee?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Milwaukee? 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a maritime, authentic, and blue collar city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a friendly, welcoming, and undiscovered city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Norfolk and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Norfolk than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Norfolk, Norfolk has more sights and attractions for tourists. Norfolk is famous for its naval base and military presence. It is also well known for the Battleship Wisconsin. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Norfolk different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Both Norfolk and Milwaukee have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Milwaukee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Norfolk or Milwaukee? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

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

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

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 Norfolk or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

It's hard to distinguish whether Norfolk or Milwaukee has a better nightlife scene.

Norfolk has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Milwaukee has a few options to choose from. 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 the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Shopping is a popular activity in both Milwaukee and Norfolk.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Milwaukee. 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 Norfolk or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Milwaukee.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Norfolk. 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.

Milwaukee offers lots of family activities. 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 Norfolk or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Most people don't think of either Norfolk or Milwaukee as a couple's destination.

Norfolk is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Most people don't think of Milwaukee as a couple's destination. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Norfolk or Milwaukee Better for Students?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a popular place for students. However, Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Norfolk is not popular with students.


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

Norfolk
Milwaukee

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Norfolk and Milwaukee.

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

Is Norfolk or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Norfolk
Milwaukee

Norfolk and Milwaukee both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Norfolk or Milwaukee to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Norfolk or Milwaukee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Norfolk 1-2 
    Milwaukee 1-2

One day in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Norfolk. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Norfolk has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Milwaukee, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.


A weekend in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the blue collar destination of Norfolk. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Milwaukee, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milwaukee has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Norfolk. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milwaukee is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Norfolk is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milwaukee. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Milwaukee. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Norfolk?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Norfolk is $166, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Norfolk and Milwaukee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Norfolk $84
    Milwaukee $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Norfolk $168
    Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Norfolk and Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Norfolk or Milwaukee? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Norfolk


Hotels in Milwaukee


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Norfolk Hotel Prices and Milwaukee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Norfolk $54
    Milwaukee $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:

  • Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee

Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer : $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and Norfolk change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Norfolk $49
    Milwaukee $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.

  • Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $101
  • Buffet Dinner Cruise: $101
  • Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $126
  • Norfolk Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise: $140
  • Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Family Fun Food Tour: $80
  • Local Food Tour: $97
  • Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Norfolk $14
    Milwaukee $26

Tours and Activities in Norfolk

Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Electric Bike Rental Downtown Norfolk (self guided tour) : $60
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Norfolk with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Mother's Day Signature Brunch Cruise Norfolk: $124
  • Neon District Contemporary Art Walking Tour: $32
  • Norfolk Buffet Brunch Cruise : $84
  • Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Brunch Cruise: $104
  • Elizabeth River Candlelit Buffet Lunch Cruise: $76
  • Elizabeth River Sunday Buffet Brunch Cruise: $84
  • Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket: $38
  • Skip the Line: Virginia Living Museum Admission Ticket: $22

Tours and Activities in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum: $5.00
  • The Grand Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour through Milwaukee: $6.99
  • The Grand Milwaukee Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $8.21
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Milwaukee by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
  • Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $11
  • Skip The Line: Harley-Davidson Museum Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option: $22
  • Macabre Milwaukee Walking Tour: $26
  • Shakers Original Historical Ghost Tour: $27
  • Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Milwaukee Private or Public Pedal Tavern Tour : $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Norfolk $10
    Milwaukee $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Norfolk

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Norfolk:

  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Downtown Norfolk: $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee

Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99


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


Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Milwaukee, 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 Norfolk or Milwaukee?

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 Norfolk or Milwaukee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Milwaukee. Many visitors come to Norfolk in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Norfolk is a little warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Norfolk in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In the summer, Norfolk often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

Norfolk receives a lot of rain in the summer. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Norfolk 79°F (26°C) 
    Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Norfolk or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

Both Milwaukee and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Norfolk for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene.

In October, Norfolk is generally a little warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 62°F (16°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Norfolk 62°F (16°C) 
    Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Norfolk or Milwaukee in the Winter?

Both Milwaukee and Norfolk during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.

It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. The weather in Norfolk can be very cold. Norfolk is much warmer than Milwaukee in the winter. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

Norfolk usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Norfolk 39°F (4°C) 
    Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Norfolk or Milwaukee in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Milwaukee.

In the spring, Norfolk is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Norfolk in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milwaukee. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Norfolk 58°F (14°C) 
    Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Norfolk

Norfolk Milwaukee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Mar 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 47°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 41°F (5°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)