A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Atlantic City?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Atlantic City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a glitzy, flashy, and party-oriented city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Durham and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Durham is more popular for its museums. Atlantic City is more touristy than Durham and is known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Atlantic City?

Durham is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Atlantic City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Atlantic City can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Atlantic City. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Atlantic City. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is very good for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Atlantic City to enjoy the beach. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Atlantic City?

Both Durham and Atlantic City are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Durham is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Durham. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Atlantic City are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Atlantic City is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Students?

Durham is well known for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Atlantic City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Atlantic City has a few public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Durham or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Atlantic City is a very walkable destination. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Durham?

How long in Durham or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Atlantic City. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Atlantic City than Durham. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Durham 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Durham or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Durham. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sports oriented destination of Durham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlantic City. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Durham. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the glitzy destination of Atlantic City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Atlantic City, we can see that Durham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Atlantic City?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Atlantic City, 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 Durham or Atlantic City?

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 Durham or Atlantic City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Atlantic City. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as Atlantic City. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the shopping scene.

In October, Durham is generally a little warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the autumn, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Atlantic City. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Atlantic City in the Winter?

Both Atlantic City and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

It's quite cold in Atlantic City in the winter. The weather in Durham can be very cold. Durham is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

Durham usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Atlantic City in the Spring?

Both Atlantic City and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches.

In the spring, Durham is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the spring, Durham often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atlantic City. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Durham