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

Should you visit Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Pittsburgh? 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 authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a industrial, authentic, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Norfolk and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

You'll generally find more things to do in Pittsburgh than Norfolk. Pittsburgh is bigger than Norfolk, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence. Pittsburgh is well known for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". Also, Pittsburgh is famous for Mount Washington.

How is Norfolk different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pittsburgh is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Pittsburgh offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

Both Norfolk and Pittsburgh offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Pittsburgh has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Norfolk or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Pittsburgh is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Pittsburgh know how to have a good time. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Norfolk or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Pittsburgh.

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.

Pittsburgh offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Norfolk or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Norfolk or Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh as a couple's destination. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

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

Pittsburgh is a popular place for its public transit. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pittsburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

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.

Is Norfolk or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Pittsburgh both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Pittsburgh is a somewhat walkable place. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Norfolk and Pittsburgh. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pittsburgh than in Norfolk. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Norfolk, and 2-3 days is enough time in Pittsburgh.

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

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

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

One day in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

With museums and nightlife around the blue collar city of Norfolk, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Norfolk, one day is sufficent for most.

In Pittsburgh, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Norfolk, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Pittsburgh, you'll find food 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 Pittsburgh has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

Norfolk, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

Norfolk is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pittsburgh. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pittsburgh. 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Pittsburgh, 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.