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

Should you visit Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Portland, Maine? 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 popular activities here include food.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Nags Head and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Portland, Maine than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Also, Portland, Maine is famous for The Portland Head Light. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Portland, Maine is considered a top beach destination. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is adequate for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nags Head does not offer Christmas activities.

Portland, Maine has some seasonal activities during Christmas. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Nags Head does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Nags Head is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nags Head is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is a popular place for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

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

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Nags Head does not have public transit.

Is Nags Head or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

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

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine.

One day in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

The destination of Nags Head offers food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Portland, Maine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Portland, Maine?

The of Nags Head offers food. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the seaside destination of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. This offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back coastal town of Portland, Maine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

The of Nags Head offers food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Nags Head or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Portland, Maine. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

In July, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the summer, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Nags Head is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine during autumn. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nags Head or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Nags Head during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland, Maine can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In the winter, Nags Head is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Portland, Maine. Also, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Nags Head is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during spring. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Nags Head