A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Norfolk vs. Richmond for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Norfolk or Richmond?

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

Should I visit Norfolk or Richmond? 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Richmond

Richmond is a historical, growing, and friendly city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Norfolk and Richmond: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Richmond?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Richmond than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Richmond, Richmond has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Richmond is more touristy than Norfolk and is known for its cultural and historical sights. Also, Richmond is famous for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Richmond?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Richmond offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

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 Richmond? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Norfolk and Richmond 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.

Richmond has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is Norfolk or Richmond Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Norfolk or Richmond 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 Richmond has a few options to choose from. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Richmond?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Richmond 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 Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Is Norfolk or Richmond Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Richmond.

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.

Richmond offers lots of family activities. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Norfolk or Richmond Better for Couples?

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

Richmond is a nice destination for couples. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

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 Richmond Better for Students?

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

Richmond is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Norfolk is not popular with students.

Is Norfolk or Richmond 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 Richmond.

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 Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Norfolk or Richmond a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Richmond both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Richmond is a somewhat walkable place. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

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

Should I spend more time in Richmond or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Richmond?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Norfolk or Richmond to fill your time. In our opinion, Richmond has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Richmond than Norfolk. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Richmond 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 Richmond.

One day in Norfolk or Richmond?

The city of Norfolk offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Richmond, 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 Richmond?

Norfolk 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Norfolk, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Richmond, 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 Richmond has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Richmond?

Norfolk is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Richmond 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 Richmond?

Norfolk is a great place to explore. 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Richmond?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Richmond, 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 Richmond?

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 Norfolk or Richmond in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Richmond. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Norfolk is generally around the same temperature as Richmond. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 79°F (26°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during summer. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Richmond receives a lot of rain in the summer. Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Richmond. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Norfolk or Richmond in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Richmond. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Richmond in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Norfolk is around the same temperature as Richmond in the autumn. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In the autumn, Norfolk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun.

Norfolk usually gets less rain in October than Richmond. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Richmond in the Winter?

Both Richmond and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Norfolk in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Richmond for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Richmond can be very cold during winter. Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Norfolk is much warmer than Richmond. Typically, the winter temperatures in Norfolk in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Richmond averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during winter. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Richmond. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Norfolk or Richmond in the Spring?

Both Richmond and Norfolk during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Norfolk is generally around the same temperature as Richmond. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 58°F (14°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Norfolk. In the spring, Norfolk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun.

Norfolk usually gets less rain in April than Richmond. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Richmond and Norfolk