A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Detroit for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Wilmington or Detroit?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Detroit, 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 historic, welcoming, and charming city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Wilmington and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Detroit?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Detroit than Wilmington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Detroit is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Wilmington attracts visitors for its beaches and historical sights. Wilmington is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also well known for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Wilmington different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Wilmington or Detroit.

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.

Detroit offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

Both Wilmington and Detroit offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Detroit. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is great for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Detroit for the nightlife scene. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

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.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Detroit is known as a music capital around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a very popular place for the beache. However, Detroit is not a beach destination.

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.

Detroit is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Wilmington. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Detroit?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Detroit both offer plenty of nice 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.

Detroit offers some nice shopping areas. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Families?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wilmington is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Wilmington makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Wilmington or Detroit Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.

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

Detroit is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Detroit both offer reasonable 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 Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Wilmington or Detroit a more walkable city?

Wilmington and Detroit are nice when it comes to walkability.

Wilmington is somewhat walkable. 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.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Detroit?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wilmington than Detroit 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 Detroit?

In Wilmington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With live music and food around the under-rated city of Detroit, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Detroit, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Detroit?

In Wilmington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Detroit, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wilmington or Detroit?

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Detroit, 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.

A week in Wilmington or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Detroit is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 Detroit, we can see that Wilmington is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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 Wilmington or Detroit in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Detroit. The summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In the summer, Wilmington is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wilmington in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Detroit averages at about 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun in the summer.

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Detroit. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Detroit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 65°F (18°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Detroit can get quite cold in the winter. Wilmington is much warmer than Detroit in the winter. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Detroit. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Wilmington during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Detroit for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Wilmington is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wilmington in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Detroit averages at about 49°F (9°C).

In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets less rain in April than Detroit. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Wilmington