A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Ocean City for Attractions, Families, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Ocean City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a fascinating, wonder-filled, and unique town. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Cape Canaveral travel costs.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a energetic, fun-filled, and laid back city. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Ocean City travel costs.

Cape Canaveral and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Both Ocean City and Cape Canaveral have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cape Canaveral is very popular for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Cape Canaveral and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Cape Canaveral is famous for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Cape Canaveral is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cape Canaveral on the map. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cape Canaveral and Ocean City can be an enjoyable experience.

Cape Canaveral is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Ocean City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Ocean City has something for everybody. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a great city for its luxury resorts. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its resorts.

Ocean City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a great city for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Ocean City. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Cape Canaveral to go shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral and Ocean City are both fantastic destinations for the whole family.

Cape Canaveral is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Ocean City is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral and Ocean City are both very good to visit as a couple.

Cape Canaveral is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ocean City is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ocean City a more walkable city?

Ocean City is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

Ocean City is generally not a very walkable city. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Ocean City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ocean City or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Both Cape Canaveral and Ocean City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than in Cape Canaveral. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cape Canaveral, and 3-7 days is enough time in Ocean City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ocean City than Cape Canaveral 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 Ocean City.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

With museums and food around the iconic town of Cape Canaveral, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cape Canaveral, one day is sufficent for most.

In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

With food and shopping around the destination of Cape Canaveral, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Ocean City is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Cape Canaveral, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Ocean City, you'll find nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Canaveral and Ocean City, we can see that Cape Canaveral is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Cape Canaveral would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Canaveral than you might in Ocean City.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

Cape Canaveral has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral and Ocean 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 Cape Canaveral or Ocean City?

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 Cape Canaveral or Ocean City in the Summer?

Both Ocean City and Cape Canaveral during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Ocean City in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Ocean City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

Ocean City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cape Canaveral. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ocean City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Ocean City. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Canaveral in October average around 74°F (24°C), and Ocean City averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Cape Canaveral gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ocean City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Ocean City. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. In January, Cape Canaveral is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 60°F (15°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ocean City in the Spring?

Both Ocean City and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches.

Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Ocean City in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cape Canaveral is June to November.

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Cape Canaveral