A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Alexandria for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ocean City or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Alexandria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

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.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Alexandria travel costs.

Ocean City and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Alexandria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alexandria. Although Ocean City and Alexandria are popular destinations, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Alexandria and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon.

How is Ocean City different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alexandria is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

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 Ocean City or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alexandria is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Alexandria is an experience not to be missed. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ocean City. 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 Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Ocean City for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Ocean City to choose from. 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.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is great for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Ocean City for it's beautiful 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.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Alexandria is revered around the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Alexandria?

Alexandria is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

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 Ocean City or Alexandria More Beautiful?

Alexandria is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Families?

Ocean City is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Ocean City is very family-friendly. 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.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Alexandria make for a superb place to visit.

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.

Alexandria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

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

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Ocean City is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

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.

Is Ocean City or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Ocean City or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Ocean City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Alexandria?

With food and nightlife around the active city of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Ocean City or Alexandria?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 city.

Five days in Ocean City or Alexandria?

Ocean City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Alexandria, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Alexandria?

Ocean City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Alexandria 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.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Alexandria, 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 Ocean City or Alexandria?

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 Ocean City or Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Alexandria. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In the autumn, Ocean City is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. In January, Ocean City is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Alexandria. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Ocean City is cooler than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Ocean City