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

Should you visit Norfolk or Reno?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Reno? 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Reno

Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Norfolk and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Reno?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Reno than Norfolk, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Reno is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its casinos and nightlife scene. Also, Reno is famous for the National Automobile Museum. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Norfolk and Reno have notable 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.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

Is the Food Better in Norfolk or Reno? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Norfolk and Reno 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.

Reno has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Norfolk or Reno Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Reno know how to have a good time. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

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 Reno?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Reno 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 Reno. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Is Norfolk or Reno Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Reno.

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.

Reno offers lots of family activities. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Norfolk or Reno Better for Couples?

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

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

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

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

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 Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Norfolk or Reno a more walkable city?

Norfolk is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Reno?

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

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

One day in Norfolk or Reno?

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

In Reno, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Reno?

Norfolk 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.

In Reno, 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 Reno has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Reno?

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

Reno 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 Reno?

The authentic city of Norfolk offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reno. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Reno. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Norfolk and Reno, 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 Norfolk Expensive? and Is Reno Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Reno?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Reno, 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.