A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wilmington than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wilmington is better known for its nightlife and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina.

How is Wilmington different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Both Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea have high quality beaches worth visiting.

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.

The beaches at Carmel-by-the-Sea attract visitors from all over. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for shopping. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Wilmington is known to be 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both high quality 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Wilmington is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Wilmington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the charming destination of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Wilmington is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Wilmington is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wilmington