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

Should you visit Ocean City or New York City?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or New York City? 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 laid back, active, and energetic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See New York City travel costs.

Ocean City and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or New York City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New York City than Ocean City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. New York City is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Ocean City is well known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. New York City is well known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty.

How is Ocean City different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City 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 New York City?

New York City 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 New York City on the map. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

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 New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is a world-class destination for its shows and theatre. However, Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in New York City draw crowds from around the world. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

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

New York City is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, New York City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

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 New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

People head to New York City just to party. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Ocean City has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ocean City is not a live music destination.

In New York City you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New York City 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.

New York City is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New York City 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.

New York City is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or New York City?

New York City is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

New York City is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

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 New York City More Beautiful?

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

New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Families?

Ocean City is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New York City is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

New York City makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Ocean City makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Ocean City or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

New York City is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

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 New York City Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent New York City. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

New York City 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 New York City can get you around easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

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 New York City a more walkable city?

New York City 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 New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

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 New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or New York City?

Both Ocean City and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Ocean City. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City 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 New York City.

One day in Ocean City or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Ocean City. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Ocean City or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of Ocean City. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. 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 New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the city of Ocean City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York 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.

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 New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 1120 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and New York City, 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 New York 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 Ocean City or New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Ocean City during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocean City. Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as New York City. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and New York City. 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 New York City this time of year.

In October, Ocean City is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives more rain than New York City. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or New York City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as New York City. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. Ocean City is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or New York City in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Ocean City is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives less rain than New York City. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Ocean City