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

Should you visit Ocean City or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Seattle? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food. See Ocean City travel costs.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Seattle travel costs.

Ocean City and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle. Although Ocean City and Seattle are popular destinations, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Seattle and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle.

How is Ocean City different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

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 Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Ocean City is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Seattle are very good 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.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for its music scene. However, Ocean City is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is notable for its resorts. However, Seattle is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Seattle is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is notable for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Ocean City. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Hiking?

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

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Seattle?

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

Many visitors go to Seattle to go shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

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 Seattle More Beautiful?

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

Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Families?

Ocean City is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Ocean City is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Ocean City or Seattle Better for Couples?

Ocean City is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a well-known place for students. However, Ocean City is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Seattle is a popular place for its public transit. However, Ocean City is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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 Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Seattle?

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

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Seattle?

In Ocean City, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

A weekend in Ocean City or Seattle?

In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 city.

Five days in Ocean City or Seattle?

Ocean City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ocean City has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle, a popular city, 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.

A week in Ocean City or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Seattle?

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

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ocean City is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Seattle. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Ocean City is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Seattle. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Seattle. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Ocean City can be very cold during winter. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Seattle. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Seattle. The spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Ocean City is a little warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Ocean City