A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nags Head vs. Durango for Families, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nags Head or Durango?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Durango? 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.

Nags Head

Other reasons to visit include food.

Durango

Durango is a historic, charming, and quaint small town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

Nags Head and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Durango?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although Nags Head and Durango are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nags Head is known for its food. Durango is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. Nags Head is popular for

How is Nags Head different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is adequate for skiing. However, Nags Head is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Nags Head is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nags Head or Durango?

Durango is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nags Head or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nags Head is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Durango is mediocre for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Durango It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Nags Head does not have a historic old town.

Durango is a good destination for visiting its old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Nags Head does not have a historic old town.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is great for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Durango for the hiking trails. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Durango?

Durango is adequate for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Durango is a good destination for shopping. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is a popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nags Head does not offer Christmas activities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy Christmas activities while in Durango. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Nags Head does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nags Head or Durango.

Nags Head is a very family-friendly destination. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

Durango is a very kid-friendly . In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Couples?

Nags Head is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Nags Head is a nice destination for couples. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nags Head and Durango are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.

Durango is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Nags Head or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Durango is mediocre for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Nags Head does not have public transit.

Is Nags Head or Durango a more walkable city?

Durango is adequate for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Durango is generally not a very walkable small town. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nags Head and Durango. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Durango. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Nags Head 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 Durango.

One day in Nags Head or Durango?

In Nags Head, you'll find food. This offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

A weekend in Nags Head or Durango?

In Nags Head, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Durango?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nags Head has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nags Head. In Nags Head, you'll find food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and Durango, we can see that Durango 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Durango?

Durango has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Durango, 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.