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

Should you visit Wilmington or Houston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Houston, 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. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Houston

Houston is a diverse, sprawling, and southern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Wilmington and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston than Wilmington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Houston is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Wilmington attracts visitors for its beaches and historical sights. Wilmington is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Wilmington different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Houston is great for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Houston can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

Both Wilmington and Houston 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 Houston. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Wilmington is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is well known for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wilmington for it's beautiful 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.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a good destination for its old town. However, Houston does not have a historic old town.

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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Houston?

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

Houston offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for Families?

Wilmington and Houston are both great destinations for the whole family.

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.

Houston is a very kid-friendly city. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for Couples?

Wilmington is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Wilmington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Wilmington or Houston Better for Students?

For students, both Wilmington and Houston are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Houston is a good city to visit for students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Wilmington and Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Wilmington or Houston a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Houston?

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

Families should spend more time in Wilmington than Houston. 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 Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?

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.

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Houston?

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.

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Houston?

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.

Houston, 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 Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Wilmington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wilmington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wilmington 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Wilmington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Houston. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wilmington is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wilmington in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Wilmington is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 65°F (18°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Houston. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Wilmington during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wilmington is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Houston. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Houston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Houston. The spring months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the spring, Wilmington is cooler than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wilmington in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In April, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Wilmington