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

Should you visit Nags Head or Norfolk?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Norfolk? 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Norfolk travel costs.

Nags Head and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Norfolk?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Norfolk. Although Nags Head and Norfolk are both popular with visitors, Norfolk has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Norfolk is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Nags Head is known for its nightlife. Norfolk is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its naval base and military presence. It is also home to the Battleship Wisconsin. Nags Head is popular for

How is Nags Head different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Norfolk is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Nags Head or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Nags Head know how to have a good time. 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 Norfolk has a few options to choose from. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Norfolk?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Norfolk Better for Families?

Nags Head is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Norfolk offers lots of family activities. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Nags Head or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Nags Head is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

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

Nags Head is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

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

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

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 Norfolk a more walkable city?

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

Norfolk is somewhat walkable. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Norfolk or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nags Head or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nags Head than Norfolk 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 Norfolk.

Families should spend more time in Nags Head than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. 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 Nags Head than Norfolk 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 Nags Head.

One day in Nags Head or Norfolk?

In Nags Head, you'll find nightlife and food. This offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Nags Head or Norfolk?

In Nags Head, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nags Head has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the maritime city of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nags Head. In Nags Head, you'll find food and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Norfolk 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.

When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and Norfolk, we can see that Norfolk 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Norfolk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

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

Nags Head is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the summer, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Norfolk. Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Norfolk. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Norfolk in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Norfolk averages at about 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk during autumn. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nags Head or Norfolk in the Winter?

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

Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Norfolk. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 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 Norfolk. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Norfolk in the Spring?

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

Nags Head is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during spring. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Nags Head