A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Baltimore for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Baltimore. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a relaxing, adventurous, and fun-filled beach town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a diverse, colorful, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Baltimore travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore. Although Cocoa Beach and Baltimore are both popular with visitors, Baltimore has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Baltimore is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cocoa Beach is known for its resorts and beaches. Cocoa Beach is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Baltimore is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Baltimore and Cocoa Beach.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Baltimore offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Baltimore makes for a great culinary experience. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Baltimore has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Cocoa Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its resorts. However, Baltimore is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Cocoa Beach makes a nice vacation spot. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Baltimore is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is well known for the beach. However, Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

Baltimore is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular family destinations. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Cocoa Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Baltimore is a good beach town for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Baltimore offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

You'll find some public transit in Cocoa Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Is Cocoa Beach or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Baltimore. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Baltimore. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Baltimore. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cocoa Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than Cocoa Beach 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 Baltimore.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

You'll find shopping and museums around the beach town of Cocoa Beach. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Baltimore. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. 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 beach town has to offer. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Baltimore. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

You'll find nightlife and food around the adventurous beach town of Cocoa Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

The colorful city of Baltimore offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

Cocoa Beach 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Baltimore, 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 Cocoa Beach or Baltimore?

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 Cocoa Beach or Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Cocoa Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Baltimore. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Baltimore in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Baltimore. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Baltimore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Baltimore. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Baltimore averages at about 32°F (0°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Baltimore. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Baltimore in the Spring?

Both Baltimore and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Cocoa Beach