A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. El Paso for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Wilmington or El Paso?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or El Paso, 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. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

El Paso

El Paso is a laid-back, low-key, and undiscovered city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Wilmington and El Paso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or El Paso?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wilmington than El Paso. While El Paso is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wilmington is more touristy than El Paso and is known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina. El Paso is popular for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is Wilmington different from El Paso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

El Paso offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

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

Both Wilmington and El Paso offer a number of good 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 El Paso. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Wilmington and El Paso.

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in El Paso. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a very popular place for its beaches. However, El Paso is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

El Paso is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is very good for its historic old town. However, El Paso does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

El Paso does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or El Paso?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and El Paso 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.

El Paso offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for Families?

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

Wilmington is a very family-friendly destination. 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 El Paso. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a very popular place for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is Wilmington or El Paso Better for Students?

Wilmington is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, El Paso 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.

El Paso is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and El Paso both offer decent 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 El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Is Wilmington or El Paso a more walkable city?

Wilmington is very good for its walkability. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its high level of 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.

El Paso is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in El Paso or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or El Paso?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Wilmington or El Paso to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Wilmington than El Paso because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-2 days is enough time in El Paso.

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than El Paso. 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 El Paso. 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 El Paso 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 El Paso?

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 museums and nightlife around the laid-back city of El Paso, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in El Paso, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or El Paso?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of El Paso, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wilmington or El Paso?

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.

El Paso, 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 El Paso?

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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or El Paso?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and El Paso, 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.