A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. Alexandria for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Duck or Alexandria? 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.

Duck

Duck is a traditional, compact, and charming beach town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Duck and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to Mount Vernon
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Duck or Alexandria?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alexandria than Duck, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alexandria is better known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Duck is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Duck is well known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Also, Alexandria is famous for Mount Vernon.

How is Duck different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Duck or Alexandria?

Duck
Alexandria

Alexandria is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.


Is the Food Better in Duck or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Duck
Alexandria

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Duck and Alexandria.

Duck offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

Alexandria has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Duck
Alexandria

Alexandria is a popular place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Duck. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Resorts?

Duck
Alexandria

Duck is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Duck has a few great resort options. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.


Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Beaches?

Duck
Alexandria

Duck is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Duck offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Duck
Alexandria

Alexandria is renowned for its historic old town. However, Duck does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Alexandria is one of the most recognized in the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Duck does not have a historic old town.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Hiking?

Duck
Alexandria

Duck is a good destination for hiking. However, Alexandria is not a hiking destination.

Duck offers some nice hiking trails. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Alexandria is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Alexandria?

Duck
Alexandria

Both Duck and Alexandria are superb shopping destinations.

Duck is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Alexandria is well-known for its shopping. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Families?

Duck
Alexandria

Duck is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Duck. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Duck
Alexandria

With fun activities for couples, both Duck and Alexandria make for a superb place to visit.

Duck is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

Alexandria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.


Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Duck
Alexandria

Alexandria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Duck is not a good beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Duck is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's an upscale town with many beach houses available for rent, and very little in the form of budget accommodation.

Is Duck or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Duck
Alexandria

Alexandria is renowned for its public transit. However, Duck is not a good beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Alexandria has a great public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

Is Duck or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Duck
Alexandria

Duck and Alexandria both are amazing when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Duck on foot. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Alexandria. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.


For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Duck?

How long in Duck or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Duck or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Duck due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Duck 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 Alexandria.


  • How many days in Duck or Alexandria? Ideal Length of Stay
    Duck 5-7 
    Alexandria 2-4

One day in Duck or Alexandria?

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Alexandria. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Duck or Alexandria?

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Alexandria is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or Alexandria?

Duck, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Alexandria. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Duck or Alexandria?

Duck is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The historic city of Alexandria offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.


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, Alexandria or Duck?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. 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 Duck and Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Alexandria $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Alexandria $76
Compare Hotels in Duck and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Duck or Alexandria? 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 Duck


Hotels in Alexandria


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: Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Alexandria -

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Duck 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
    Duck $45
    Alexandria -

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Alexandria -

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.

  • Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
  • American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $38
  • Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
  • Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
  • Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
  • Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Alexandria -

Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:

  • Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Alexandria, 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 Duck or Alexandria?

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 Duck or Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Duck as well as Alexandria. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Duck is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 78°F (26°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the summer, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the summer. Duck usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Alexandria 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Duck or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Duck because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

Duck is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during autumn. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Duck usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Alexandria 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Duck or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Duck during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In the winter, Duck is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Alexandria averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Duck often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Alexandria 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Duck or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Alexandria. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Duck is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Alexandria 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Duck

Duck Alexandria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)