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

Should you visit Ocean City or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Charlottesville? 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. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife. See Ocean City travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Ocean City and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Ocean City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ocean City is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Ocean City is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also home to the Ocean City boardwalk. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Ocean City different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Charlottesville is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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 Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ocean City is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ocean City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a great city for the beach. However, Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Charlottesville?

Ocean City is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Ocean City has some nice offerings. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

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

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Ocean City is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Ocean City is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

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.

Charlottesville is a good city for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Both Ocean City and Charlottesville offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally 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 mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Ocean City or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Charlottesville both are decent when exploring on foot.

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.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable city. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ocean City and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than in Charlottesville. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

One day in Ocean City or Charlottesville?

The fun-filled destination of Ocean City offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do 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 Charlottesville?

The city of Ocean City offers food and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

Five days in Ocean City or Charlottesville?

Ocean City is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Charlottesville?

The fun-filled city of Ocean City offers food and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Charlottesville 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 comparing the travel costs between Ocean City and Charlottesville, 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 Ocean City Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville in the Summer?

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

In July, Ocean City is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville 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 hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville 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. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. In the winter, Ocean City is much colder than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Charlottesville in the Spring?

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

In April, Ocean City is generally cooler than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Ocean City