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

Should you visit Wilmington or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Phoenix, 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Wilmington and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wilmington than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wilmington is better known for its beaches and historical sights, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Wilmington is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Wilmington different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Phoenix.

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.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Both Wilmington and Phoenix offer a number of notable 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 Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Wilmington and Phoenix.

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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a great city for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington has an old town worth visiting. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Phoenix?

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

Phoenix offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Families?

Wilmington is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wilmington. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Wilmington is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix Better for Students?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Wilmington or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Phoenix?

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

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

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 sprawling city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phoenix, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wilmington or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Phoenix?

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

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Wilmington is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Wilmington is cooler than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Wilmington is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months.

In April, Wilmington is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Wilmington