A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nags Head vs. Martha's Vineyard for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard? 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 popular because of the nightlife and food. See Nags Head travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Nags Head and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Martha's Vineyard is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Nags Head is more popular for its nightlife. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Also, Martha's Vineyard is famous for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Martha's Vineyard is adequate for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Martha's Vineyard. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head is a great for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Nags Head has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is great for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Nags Head is not a destination known for its beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Nags Head is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Nags Head is a great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

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

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its romantic activities.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

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 Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nags Head and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard.

One day in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nags Head, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Martha's Vineyard has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

With food and nightlife around the activity-filled of Nags Head, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and food around the laid-back destination of Nags Head, there's plenty to do. If you have five days, this makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

Nags Head is a popular choice for travelers. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Nags Head during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

Nags Head is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Martha's Vineyard. The cuisine are the main draw to Nags Head this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. It's quite cold in Nags Head in the winter. In the winter, Nags Head is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nags Head or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Martha's Vineyard. Additionally, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Nags Head is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the spring, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Nags Head