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

Should you visit Ocean City or Boston?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Boston? 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 fun-filled, laid back, and active city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

Boston

Boston is a classic, proud, and loyal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Boston offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See Boston travel costs.

Ocean City and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Boston?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boston than Ocean City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boston is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ocean City is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Boston and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail.

How is Ocean City different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Boston on the map. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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 Ocean City or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a well-known place for its shows and theatre. However, Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Ocean City or Boston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boston 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 Boston is an experience not to be missed. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Boston are superb when it comes to partying.

Ocean City offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Boston has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ocean City is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is notable for its resorts. However, Boston 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.

Boston is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is notable for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beach.

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.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston 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 Boston is revered around the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Boston?

Boston is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Boston to go shopping. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

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 Boston More Beautiful?

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

Boston offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The history, architecture, and world renowned university campuses all give this city its unique beauty.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ocean City or Boston.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Boston is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Is Ocean City or Boston Better for Couples?

Ocean City is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

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 Boston Better for Students?

Boston is a world-class destination for students. However, Ocean City is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Boston 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 Boston can get you around easily. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation 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 Boston a more walkable city?

Boston 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 Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Boston?

In either Ocean City or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than Boston because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Ocean City or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ocean City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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 Boston?

Ocean City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Ocean City or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Ocean City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Boston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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 Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Ocean City.

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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Ocean City or Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ocean City is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Boston. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In October, Ocean City is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Boston. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Boston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. Ocean City is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In January, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ocean City is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Ocean City usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Ocean City