A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Ocean City for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Ocean City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Everglades National Park 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.

Everglades National Park and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ocean City. Although Everglades National Park and Ocean City are popular destinations, Ocean City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ocean City is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Ocean City is more touristy than Everglades National Park and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also well known for the Ocean City boardwalk. Everglades National Park is famous for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees.

How is Everglades National Park different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

You'll find a number of reasonable museums and attractions in both Ocean City and Everglades National Park.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Ocean City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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 Everglades National Park or Ocean City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ocean City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park 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.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Ocean City. 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.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is a great city for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Everglades National Park is a popular spot for hiking. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Ocean City has some good spots for those that want to go 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.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Everglades National Park is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

Ocean City is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is a great city for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Ocean City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.


Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Everglades National Park is a very popular national park for backpackers and budget travelers. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Ocean City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in the area, but there are some affordable motels if you look beyond the beachfront properties.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Ocean City is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Ocean City a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Ocean City

Everglades National Park and Ocean City are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. 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.


For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Ocean City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ocean City or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Both Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 3-7 days is enough time in Ocean City.

Families should spend more time in Ocean City than Everglades National Park. 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 Everglades National Park. 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.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Ocean City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Ocean City 3-7

One day in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

With around the adventure-filled national park of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With food and nightlife around the energetic city of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

With around the destination of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this national park.

With nightlife and food around the active destination of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Everglades National Park, a popular national park, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and nightlife around the fun-filled city of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.


A week in Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Everglades National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Ocean City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Ocean City or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Ocean City Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Ocean City $196

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Ocean City is $196. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Ocean City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Ocean City $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Ocean City $166
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Ocean City

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Ocean City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Ocean City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ocean City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Ocean City $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Ocean City?

Prices for flights to both Ocean City and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $54
    Ocean City $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Ocean City $18

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Ocean City $14


When comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Ocean City, we can see that Ocean City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park or Ocean City in the Summer?

Both Ocean City and Everglades National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Ocean City in the summer. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 82°F (28°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 Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Ocean City 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ocean City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Ocean City. The autumn months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

In the autumn, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Everglades National Park in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Ocean City averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Ocean City 58°F (14°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ocean City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Ocean City. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. In January, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 67°F (19°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Everglades National Park usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Ocean City 35°F (2°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ocean City in the Spring?

Both Ocean City and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches.

Everglades National Park is much warmer than Ocean City in the spring. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ocean City. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Ocean City 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Ocean City
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.6 inches (93 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 37°F (3°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 45°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 76°F (24°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 58°F (14°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)