A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Duck vs. Moncton for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Duck or Moncton? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Duck

Duck is a traditional, compact, and charming beach town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Duck attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Duck travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

Duck and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Duck or Moncton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Duck than Moncton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Duck is better known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Moncton is more popular for its museums and attractions. Duck is more touristy than Moncton and is popular for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. Also, Duck is famous for the wide sandy beach. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Duck different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moncton and Duck. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Duck or Moncton?

Moncton is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Duck or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Duck and Moncton.

Duck offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

Moncton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Both Duck and Moncton are respectable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Duck specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Moncton. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Resorts?

Duck is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Moncton is not a resort destination.

Duck has a few great resort options. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Moncton is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Beaches?

Duck is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Moncton is not a beach destination.

Duck offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

Moncton is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Duck is a good destination for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Duck offers some nice hiking trails. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Moncton?

Duck is great for its shopping areas. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Duck. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Moncton is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Duck or Moncton More Beautiful?

Duck is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Duck attracts visitors from all around. Beautiful sandy beaches and family-friendly parks offer a beautiful and relaxed beach vacation.

Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Families?

Duck is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moncton 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 Duck. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Couples?

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

Duck is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Duck or Moncton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Duck and Moncton offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

Public transit is mostly limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Duck or Moncton a more walkable city?

Duck is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Duck is a very easy beach town to get around on foot. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

Moncton is somewhat walkable. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Duck?

How long in Duck or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Duck or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Duck than Moncton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-2 days is enough time in Moncton.

Families should spend more time in Duck than Moncton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Duck, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Moncton than Duck 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 Moncton.

One day in Duck or Moncton?

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Moncton. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Duck or Moncton?

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Moncton is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or Moncton?

Duck 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 Duck has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural destination of Moncton. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Duck. Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The quaint city of Moncton offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Moncton, we can see that Duck is more expensive. And not only is Moncton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moncton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moncton 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 Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck than you might in Moncton.

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

Which is Bigger, Duck or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Moncton, 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 Duck or Moncton?

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 Duck or Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Duck as well as Moncton. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Duck is generally a little warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 78°F (26°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Duck receives a lot of rain in the summer. Duck usually gets more rain in July than Moncton. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Duck because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

Duck is much warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Duck usually receives less rain than Moncton. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Duck or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Duck during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In the winter, Duck is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Moncton. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Duck is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Duck usually receives less rain than Moncton. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Duck