A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Monterey for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Durham or Monterey?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Monterey can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

Monterey

Monterey is a nature-oriented, laid back, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Monterey travel costs.

Durham and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Monterey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Monterey. Although Durham and Monterey are popular destinations, Monterey has more sights and attractions for tourists. Monterey is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also well known for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Monterey?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Durham or Monterey.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Monterey can be an interesting and educational experience. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Monterey is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Monterey is an experience not to be missed. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Monterey offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Monterey. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is very good for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Monterey to enjoy the beach. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Monterey?

Monterey is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Monterey. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Monterey is one of the most popular family destinations. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Couples?

Monterey is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Monterey is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Monterey is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Monterey is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Monterey is not popular with students.

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Monterey is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Monterey offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Durham or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Durham?

How long in Durham or Monterey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Monterey. In our opinion, Monterey has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Monterey than Durham. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Durham 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 Monterey.

One day in Durham or Monterey?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Monterey. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Monterey?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Monterey is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Monterey?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monterey. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Monterey?

Durham is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Monterey. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Monterey, we can see that Monterey is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Monterey?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Monterey, 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 Durham or Monterey?

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 Durham or Monterey in the Summer?

Both Monterey and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Monterey for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Durham is much warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Monterey. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Monterey because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Durham usually receives more rain than Monterey. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Monterey in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Monterey. The winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Durham is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the beaches.

Durham is a little warmer than Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Monterey. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Durham