A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nags Head vs. Vernon for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Nags Head or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Vernon? 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

Other popular activities here include nightlife and food. See Nags Head travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a peaceful, relaxing, and quiet town. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking. See Vernon travel costs.

Nags Head and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Vernon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Vernon than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Vernon is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping, while Nags Head is more popular for its nightlife. Vernon is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. Also, Vernon is famous for Davison Orchards Country Village. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Vernon can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Nags Head or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

Nags Head offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Nags Head or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is great for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Vernon for the hiking trails. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Vernon?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Vernon Better for Families?

Nags Head is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nags Head is known to be 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly . There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Nags Head or Vernon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and Vernon make for a notable 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.

Vernon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Nags Head is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Vernon 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

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 Vernon a more walkable city?

Nags Head and Vernon are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Nags Head is generally not a 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.

Vernon is generally not very walkable. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Vernon?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nags Head than Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nags Head. 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 town of Vernon. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vernon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nags Head or Vernon?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the quiet destination of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nags Head. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful town of Vernon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back destination of Nags Head. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Vernon is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Nags Head during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Vernon. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Nags Head is much warmer than Vernon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Vernon. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nags Head or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Vernon. Most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. Nags Head can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nags Head is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Vernon averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Vernon. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Nags Head