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

Should you visit Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Hilton Head Island? 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

It's also popular because of the food.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful coastal town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Nags Head and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilton Head Island than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilton Head Island is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Also, Hilton Head Island is famous for The Harbour Town Lighthouse. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Hilton Head Island can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Hilton Head Island. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife scene is quiet in Hilton Head Island There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is great for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Hilton Head Island is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Hilton Head Island is considered a top beach destination. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Hilton Head Island. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is an amazing coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hilton Head Island is a very family-friendly destination. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Nags Head is a very kid-friendly . 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.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and Hilton Head Island make for a notable place to visit.

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.

Hilton Head Island makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Nags Head does not have public transit.

Is Nags Head or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

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

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Both Nags Head and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Hilton Head Island has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hilton Head Island than Nags Head. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island.

One day in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. This offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hilton Head Island?

Nags Head is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and food around the resort-filled destination of Hilton Head Island. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nags Head has to offer.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful coastal town of Hilton Head Island. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer.

A week in Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Nags Head is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this makes for a great vacation. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilton Head Island, one week is sufficent for most. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Nags Head.

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 Hilton Head Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Hilton Head Island, 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 Nags Head or Hilton Head Island?

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 Nags Head or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Hilton Head Island. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nags Head this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nags Head is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nags Head or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Hilton Head Island. Additionally, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Nags Head is cooler than Hilton Head Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Hilton Head Island. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

Both Hilton Head Island and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nags Head in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Nags Head can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nags Head is much colder than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than Hilton Head Island during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nags Head or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Nags Head during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Nags Head is generally cooler than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the spring, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hilton Head Island. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Nags Head