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

Should you visit Ocean City or Nags Head?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Nags Head? 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a energetic, fun-filled, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

Nags Head

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

Ocean City and Nags Head: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Nags Head?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ocean City than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ocean City is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Also, Ocean City is famous for the Ocean City boardwalk. Nags Head is well known for

How is Ocean City different from Nags Head?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Nags Head both to be notable destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ocean City area. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

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.

Is Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Nags Head are high quality when it comes to partying.

Ocean City offers plenty to do in the evening. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

Nags Head has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Nags Head?

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

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Families?

Ocean City is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

Nags Head is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Couples?

Ocean City is great for romance. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its romantic activities.

Ocean City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

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 Ocean City or Nags Head Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city 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.

Ocean City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in the area, but there are some affordable motels if you look beyond the beachfront properties.

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

Ocean City 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 Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private 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 Ocean City or Nags Head a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Nags Head both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

Nags Head is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Nags Head or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Nags Head?

Both Ocean City and Nags Head have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Ocean City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ocean City than Nags Head. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 4-7 days is enough time in Nags Head.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Nags Head?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Ocean City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

A weekend in Ocean City or Nags Head?

You'll find food and nightlife around the laid back destination of Ocean City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Ocean City or Nags Head?

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic city of Ocean City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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.

A week in Ocean City or Nags Head?

Ocean City is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ocean City, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Nags Head?

Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Nags Head, 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 Ocean City or Nags Head?

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 Ocean City or Nags Head in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Ocean City is around the same temperature as Nags Head. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Nags Head averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets less rain in July than Nags Head. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Nags Head in the Autumn?

Both Nags Head and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

In October, Ocean City is generally cooler than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nags Head. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Nags Head in the Winter?

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

Nags Head can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. Ocean City is much colder than Nags Head in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Nags Head fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocean City usually gets less rain in January than Nags Head. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Nags Head in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Nags Head. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Ocean City is cooler than Nags Head. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Nags Head averages at about 59°F (15°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Nags Head. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nags Head and Ocean City