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

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

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 Charlotte. 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 adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing 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 Charlotte travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Charlotte: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlotte. Although Cocoa Beach and Charlotte are popular destinations, Charlotte has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlotte is very popular for its big city activities, while Cocoa Beach attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, and beaches. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also well known for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Charlotte?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

Cocoa Beach is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Cocoa Beach specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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

Cocoa Beach is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Charlotte.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Charlotte has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Resorts?

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

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is great for the beach. However, Charlotte 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.

Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cocoa Beach and Charlotte.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is great for couples. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte Better for Students?

Charlotte is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cocoa Beach and Charlotte.

Cocoa Beach has some public transit options. 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).

You'll find some public transit in Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlotte a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Charlotte are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. 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.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlotte or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Charlotte. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Charlotte. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Charlotte.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. 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 Cocoa Beach than Charlotte 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

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 evolving city of Charlotte. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

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 evolving destination of Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing 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 evolving city of Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte. 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 Charlotte, we can see that Charlotte 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 Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte 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 Charlotte Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Charlotte?

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

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 Cocoa Beach or Charlotte in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Charlotte. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Charlotte. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Charlotte. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlotte in the Winter?

Both Charlotte and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Charlotte because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and Cocoa Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Charlotte in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in April than Charlotte. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Cocoa Beach