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

Should you visit Nags Head or Cincinnati?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Cincinnati? 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

And you can't forget about the nightlife and food. See Nags Head travel costs.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a hard-working, blue collar, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Cincinnati travel costs.

Nags Head and Cincinnati: 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
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cincinnati. Although Nags Head and Cincinnati are popular destinations, Cincinnati has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cincinnati is very popular for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Nags Head attracts visitors for its nightlife. Cincinnati is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its breweries and down-to-earth personality. It is also well known for the Cincinnati Zoo. Nags Head is famous for

How is Nags Head different from Cincinnati?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nags Head
Cincinnati

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

Cincinnati offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Cincinnati can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Cincinnati. Mixed in with the standard chain and fast food options, you'll find some local restaurants that serve up the iconic Midwestern favorites. For a taste of the town, try Cincinnati chili, barbecue ribs, and a corned beef Reuben.

Is Nags Head or Cincinnati Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Nags Head is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Nags Head is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Cincinnati has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cincinnati. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Nags Head or Cincinnati Better for Families?

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Nags Head is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nags Head is a very kid-friendly . 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.

Cincinnati offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Is Nags Head or Cincinnati Better for Couples?

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Nags Head is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

Nags Head makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

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

Nags Head
Cincinnati

For backpackers, both Nags Head and Cincinnati are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Cincinnati is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.


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

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

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 Cincinnati a more walkable city?

Nags Head
Cincinnati

Cincinnati is great for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Cincinnati is very walkable. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

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 Cincinnati or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nags Head or Cincinnati to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nags Head than Cincinnati because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cincinnati.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.


  • How many days in Nags Head or Cincinnati? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nags Head 4-7 
    Cincinnati 1-2

One day in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

With food and nightlife around the laid-back of Nags Head, there's plenty to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cincinnati. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cincinnati has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A weekend in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nags Head, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Cincinnati. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Cincinnati?

Nags Head, a popular , is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this . Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the hard-working city of Cincinnati. 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 Cincinnati?

Nags Head is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cincinnati 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, Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nags Head $179
    Cincinnati $223

The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $179, while the average daily cost in Cincinnati is $223. 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 Cincinnati in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Cincinnati $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Cincinnati $204
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Cincinnati

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or Cincinnati? 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 Cincinnati


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 Cincinnati Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nags Head $40
    Cincinnati $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Cincinnati?

Prices for flights to both Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Cincinnati $26

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
    Cincinnati $11

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


Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Cincinnati, 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 Nags Head or Cincinnati?

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 Nags Head or Cincinnati in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Cincinnati. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year.

In the summer, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nags Head in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the summer, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 298 hours of full sun.

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C) 
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Cincinnati in the Autumn?

Both Cincinnati and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene.

In October, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 62°F (16°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during autumn. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C) 
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Cincinnati in the Winter?

Both Cincinnati and Nags Head during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. Nags Head is much warmer than Cincinnati in the winter. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In the winter, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 129 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C) 
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Cincinnati in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Cincinnati.

In the spring, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nags Head in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during spring. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Cincinnati. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C) 
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Cincinnati and Nags Head

Nags Head Cincinnati
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)