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

Should you visit Duck or Arlington?

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

Should I visit Duck or Arlington? 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 charming, laid-back, and traditional beach town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Duck and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Duck or Arlington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Duck than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Duck is better known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its museums, food, and nightlife. Duck is well known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. Also, Duck is famous for the wide sandy beach. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Duck different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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 Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Duck has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

Arlington offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

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 Arlington Better for Resorts?

Duck is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington 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.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Duck is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Duck are among the best in 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.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Duck is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

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

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Arlington?

Duck is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Duck. 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.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Families?

Duck is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Couples?

Duck is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Duck makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Duck or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Duck is not a good beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

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 Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Duck is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Duck is not popular with students.

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

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

Arlington has a great public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

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 Arlington a more walkable city?

Duck is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

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

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Duck?

How long in Duck or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Duck or Arlington. 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 Arlington.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington 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 Arlington.

One day in Duck or Arlington?

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arlington. 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 Arlington?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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 beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arlington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Arlington?

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Arlington. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or Arlington?

Duck is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Duck, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The historical city of Arlington offers nightlife and food. 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Duck or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Arlington, 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 Arlington?

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 Arlington in the Summer?

Both Arlington and Duck during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck. In the summer, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Duck or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Arlington. Many visitors come to Duck in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

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

In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Duck or Arlington in the Winter?

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

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Duck can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Duck is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

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

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

Should I visit Duck or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Arlington and Duck