A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Olympic National Park for Families, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

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 Olympic National Park. 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 beaches, shopping, and museums. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a stunning, vast, and pristine park. With stunning beauty, Olympic National Park attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking and museums. See Olympic National Park travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Olympic National Park are both popular with visitors, Cocoa Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cocoa Beach is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Olympic National Park is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Cocoa Beach is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also home to the Kennedy Space Center. Olympic National Park is popular for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its museums and history.

Cocoa Beach offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Olympic National Park. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cocoa Beach. 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.

Olympic National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Olympic National Park is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Olympic National Park to choose from. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Cocoa Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for the beach. However, Olympic National Park is not a beach destination.

Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Olympic National Park is not a beach destination. The park has a rugged coastline with sandy beaches. Many people enjoy exploring the tidal pools or watching the sun set. Some of the best beaches include Kalaloch Beach, Beach 4, and Ruby Beach.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Olympic National Park is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Cocoa Beach offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park More Beautiful?

Olympic National Park is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Olympic National Park attracts visitors from all around. The diversity of landscapes give the park a unique beauty. You can explore old growth rainforests, wander down pristine beaches, or take in the stunning mountain views.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Olympic National Park. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach and Olympic National Park both superb destinations for a couple.

Cocoa Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Couples visit Olympic National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Olympic National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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 Olympic National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few 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).

Public transit is mostly limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Is Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable beach town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

In either Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Cocoa Beach has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Olympic National Park. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

In Cocoa Beach, you'll find shopping and museums. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the stunning park of Olympic National Park. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the stunning destination of Olympic National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This park 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 Olympic National Park?

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to experience. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the stunning park of Olympic National Park. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Olympic National Park. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Olympic National Park, we can see that Cocoa Beach is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park 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 Cocoa Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cocoa Beach than you might in Olympic National Park.

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 Olympic National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park?

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 Olympic National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Olympic National Park. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Olympic National Park. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

Both Olympic National Park and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Olympic National Park can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 41°F (5°C).

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Olympic National Park. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Olympic National Park. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Olympic National Park because of the natural beauty.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Cocoa Beach