A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nags Head vs. Avon for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Nags Head or Avon?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Avon? 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.

Nags Head

It's also known for nightlife and food. See Nags Head travel costs.

Avon

Avon is a outdoorsy, scenic, and active town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, skiing, and nightlife. See Avon travel costs.

Nags Head and Avon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Nags Head or Avon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Avon. Although Nags Head and Avon are both popular with visitors, Avon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Avon is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, resorts, hiking, and shopping, while Nags Head is known for its nightlife. Avon is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort. It is also home to Avon Recreation Center. Nags Head is popular for

How is Nags Head different from Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Skiing?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is great for skiing. However, Nags Head is not a skiing destination.

Avon offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

Nags Head is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nags Head or Avon?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is adequate for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nags Head or Avon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nags Head
Avon

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Avon can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Avon. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head
Avon

Nags Head is notable for nightlife. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nags Head has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find the widest variety of nightlife options in the Outer Banks here. There are a number of bars and clubs around town where you can enjoy a drink or dance late into the night. During the peak summer months there's often live music at many places.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.


Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Resorts?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Avon has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Hiking?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is a popular place for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Avon?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is adequate for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Avon is a good destination for shopping. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Families?

Nags Head
Avon

Nags Head is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nags Head is a very family-friendly place to visit. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

Avon is a family-friendly . There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Couples?

Nags Head
Avon

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and Avon make for a good place to visit.

Nags Head is a nice destination for couples. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head
Avon

Nags Head is a good destination for backpackers. However, Avon is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.

Avon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers prefer to stay closer to the ski facilities.


Is Nags Head or Avon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Avon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nags Head. There's no real public transit around town, so you'll need to have your own car.

Is Nags Head or Avon a more walkable city?

Nags Head
Avon

Avon is a popular place for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Avon is somewhat walkable. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

Nags Head is generally not very walkable. This is one of the least walkable towns in the Outer Banks. You'll need a car to reach most restaurants and other activities in the area.

Should I spend more time in Avon or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Avon?

It's fun to spend time in either Nags Head or Avon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nags Head due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 2-4 days is enough time in Avon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avon than Nags Head 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 Avon.


  • How many days in Nags Head or Avon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nags Head 4-7 
    Avon 2-4

One day in Nags Head or Avon?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nags Head. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Avon. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A weekend in Nags Head or Avon?

Nags Head is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and skiing around the scenic destination of Avon. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Avon?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the activity-filled destination of Nags Head. This offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy town of Avon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Avon?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled of Nags Head. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Avon is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Avon or Nags Head?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nags Head Prices
    USA Prices
    Avon Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nags Head $179
    Avon $326

The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $179, while the average daily cost in Avon is $326. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nags Head and Avon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Avon $177
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Avon $354
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Avon

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or Avon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nags Head


Hotels in Avon


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Avon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nags Head $40
    Avon $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Avon?

Prices for flights to both Avon and Nags Head change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nags Head $71
    Avon $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Avon $48

Tours and Activities in Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nags Head $12
    Avon $38

Sample the Local Flavors in Nags Head

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:

  • Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Avon?

Avon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Avon, 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.