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

Should you visit Duck or Williamsburg?

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

Should I visit Duck or Williamsburg? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Duck and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Duck or Williamsburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Williamsburg than Duck, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Williamsburg is better known for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Duck is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Duck is well known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. Williamsburg is well known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Also, Williamsburg is famous for Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Duck different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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 Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg 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, Williamsburg makes for a great culinary experience. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Both Duck and Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

Duck is a good destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Duck is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Williamsburg is one of the most recognized in the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Duck does not have a historic old town.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Hiking?

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

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Williamsburg?

Both Duck and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Duck is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Duck and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Duck or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is renowned for students. However, Duck is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Duck is not popular with students.

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

Both Duck and Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Duck or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Duck is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable beach town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Duck?

How long in Duck or Williamsburg?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Duck than Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Duck or Williamsburg?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg?

Duck is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the well-preserved destination of Williamsburg. This town 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 Williamsburg?

Duck is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The well-preserved town of Williamsburg offers museums 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Duck or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck as well as Williamsburg. 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. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Duck is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In the winter, Duck is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 38°F (4°C).

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

It's quite rainy in Duck. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg 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. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Duck is generally around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Williamsburg. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Duck