A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Duck vs. Greensboro for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or Greensboro?

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

Should I visit Duck or Greensboro? 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 laid-back, traditional, and compact beach town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a under-rated, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Duck and Greensboro: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Duck or Greensboro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Duck. Although Duck and Greensboro are popular destinations, Duck has more sights and attractions for tourists. Duck is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Greensboro attracts visitors for its museums and nightlife. Duck is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. It is also well known for the wide sandy beach. Greensboro is famous for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Duck different from Greensboro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Duck
Greensboro

Greensboro is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Greensboro is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

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 Greensboro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Duck. 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Nightlife?

Duck
Greensboro

Greensboro 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 Greensboro. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

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 Greensboro Better for Resorts?

Duck
Greensboro

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

With a selection of resorts, Duck makes a nice vacation spot. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Greensboro is not a resort destination.


Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Beaches?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Hiking?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Greensboro?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Duck is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Greensboro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.


Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Families?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Duck is a very kid-friendly beach town. 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.

Greensboro offers lots of family activities. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Couples?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is well known for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Duck frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Duck or Greensboro Better for Students?

Duck
Greensboro

Greensboro is a popular place for students. However, Duck is not popular with students.

Greensboro is a good city to visit for students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Duck is not popular with students.


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

Duck
Greensboro

Both Duck and Greensboro offer reasonable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Duck or Greensboro a more walkable city?

Duck
Greensboro

Duck is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable beach town. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

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

Should I spend more time in Greensboro or Duck?

How long in Duck or Greensboro?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Duck or Greensboro to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Duck than Greensboro because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-2 days is enough time in Greensboro.

Families should spend more time in Duck than Greensboro. 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 Greensboro. 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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro.


  • How many days in Duck or Greensboro? Ideal Length of Stay
    Duck 5-7 
    Greensboro 1-2

One day in Duck or Greensboro?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Greensboro. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.


A weekend in Duck or Greensboro?

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.

Greensboro 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 Greensboro?

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 shopping and museums around the friendly destination of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?

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 welcoming city of Greensboro offers museums and nightlife. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Greensboro 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 Greensboro is $162. 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 Greensboro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Greensboro $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Greensboro $192
Compare Hotels in Duck and Greensboro

Looking for a hotel in Duck or Greensboro? 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 Greensboro


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: Greensboro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Greensboro $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Greensboro?

Prices for flights to both Greensboro 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
    Greensboro $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Greensboro $26

Tours and Activities in Greensboro

Here are a few actual costs in Greensboro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • True Crime Tour: $16
  • Downtown Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • African American History Walking Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Greensboro $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Greensboro, we can see that Duck is more expensive. And not only is Greensboro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Greensboro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Greensboro 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 Greensboro.

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


Which is Bigger, Duck or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Greensboro, 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 Greensboro?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Duck or Greensboro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Greensboro. 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 Greensboro because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Duck is around the same temperature as Greensboro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Greensboro averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Greensboro this time of the year. In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Greensboro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Greensboro. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Greensboro 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Duck or Greensboro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck as well as Greensboro. 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 are the main draw to Greensboro this time of year.

In October, Duck is generally around the same temperature as Greensboro. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 62°F (16°C), and Greensboro fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 212 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets more rain in October than Greensboro. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Greensboro 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Duck or Greensboro in the Winter?

Both Greensboro and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Greensboro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Greensboro. It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. Duck is around the same temperature as Greensboro in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Greensboro fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro during winter. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Duck. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Greensboro. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Greensboro 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Duck or Greensboro in the Spring?

Both Greensboro and Duck during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Duck is around the same temperature as Greensboro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Greensboro averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck. In the spring, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Greensboro. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Greensboro 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Greensboro and Duck

Duck Greensboro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)