A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. Martha's Vineyard for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Should I visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard? 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Duck and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Not as many resort options
Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard than Duck, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Martha's Vineyard is better known for its museums, food, and resorts, while Duck is more popular for its beaches. Duck is well known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Also, Martha's Vineyard is famous for the Aquinnah Cliffs.

How is Duck different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a moderate island for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard 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, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Both Duck and Martha's Vineyard are respectable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Duck specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Martha's Vineyard. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its resorts. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

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.


Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Duck is an amazing beach town to visit for the beach. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

If you're looking to go hiking, Duck and Martha's Vineyard both have notable trails.

Duck is a good destination for hiking. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Many people include a hike when visiting Martha's Vineyard. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Both Duck and Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is well-known for its shopping. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.


Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Duck is a great beach town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for romance. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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.

Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Both Duck and Martha's Vineyard offer respectable 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.


Is Duck or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Duck
Martha's Vineyard

Duck is an amazing beach town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

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

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Duck?

How long in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Duck and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Duck than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

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


  • How many days in Duck or Martha's Vineyard? Ideal Length of Stay
    Duck 5-7 
    Martha's Vineyard 1-3

One day in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the small town destination of Martha's Vineyard. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

You'll find shopping and food around the affluent small town of Martha's Vineyard. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Duck is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The peaceful island of Martha's Vineyard offers food and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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, Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard is $241. 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 Martha's Vineyard in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Martha's Vineyard $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Martha's Vineyard $264
Compare Hotels in Duck and Martha's Vineyard

Looking for a hotel in Duck or Martha's Vineyard? 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 Marthas Vineyard


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: Martha's Vineyard Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Martha's Vineyard $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

Prices for flights to both Martha's Vineyard 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
    Martha's Vineyard $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Martha's Vineyard $30

Tours and Activities in Martha's Vineyard

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.

  • Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (APP/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Audio Tour: $13
  • Martha's Vinyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • 3-Hour Martha's Vineyard Island Tour from Oak Bluffs: $65
  • All Island Bus Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Martha's Vineyard $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

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

In July, Duck is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 78°F (26°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the summer. Duck usually gets more rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Martha's Vineyard 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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 hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

Duck is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Martha's Vineyard 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In the winter, Duck is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets more rain in January than Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Martha's Vineyard 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Duck or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Duck is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Duck usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Martha's Vineyard 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Duck

Duck Martha's Vineyard
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)