A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Beaufort for Food, Beaches, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Wilmington or Beaufort?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Beaufort, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a charming, historic, and welcoming city. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a southern, charming, and historic town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Wilmington and Beaufort: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Both Beaufort and Wilmington have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Wilmington is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Beaufort is known for its food, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Beaufort is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes.

How is Wilmington different from Beaufort?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Wilmington or Beaufort.

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Beaufort? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaufort is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Beaufort. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is notable for its beaches. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beache.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wilmington. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Beaufort. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for its Old Town?

Beaufort is great for its historic old town. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Beaufort to see the historical old town. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Many people head to Wilmington to see the old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Beaufort?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Beaufort both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Beaufort offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Families?

Wilmington is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Beaufort are both superb to visit as a couple.

Wilmington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Beaufort is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for students. However, Beaufort is not popular with students.

Wilmington is a good city to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Beaufort is not popular with students.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wilmington is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Wilmington or Beaufort a more walkable city?

Beaufort is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Beaufort is very walkable. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Wilmington Worth Visiting? and Is Beaufort Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaufort or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wilmington and Beaufort. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington than in Beaufort. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Beaufort.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wilmington than Beaufort 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 Wilmington.

One day in Wilmington or Beaufort?

The city of Wilmington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Beaufort might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beaufort, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Wilmington 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Even though Beaufort is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Beaufort, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Beaufort?

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Beaufort 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Beaufort?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Beaufort. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Beaufort, 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 Wilmington or Beaufort?

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 Wilmington or Beaufort in the Summer?

Both Beaufort and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year.

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Beaufort in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Beaufort fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the summer, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun.

Beaufort gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Beaufort. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Beaufort in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Beaufort. The shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaufort for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Wilmington is around the same temperature as Beaufort. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Beaufort averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beaufort this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beaufort. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Beaufort in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Beaufort. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Beaufort in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Wilmington is generally cooler than Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Beaufort fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 176 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Beaufort. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Beaufort in the Spring?

Both Beaufort and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Wilmington is cooler than Beaufort in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Beaufort fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Beaufort. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beaufort. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beaufort and Wilmington