A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Virginia Beach for Families, Nightlife, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Virginia Beach? 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Ocean City and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Virginia Beach are both popular with visitors, Ocean City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ocean City is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is known for its impressive beauty. Ocean City is more touristy than Virginia Beach 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. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Ocean City different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ocean City is adequate for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ocean City is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

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 Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

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.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is great for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

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 Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

Ocean City is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach More Beautiful?

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

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Ocean City is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its family-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.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Ocean City is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Virginia Beach is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Ocean City is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Ocean City is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Ocean City or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

Both Ocean City and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Ocean City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ocean City than Virginia Beach. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Ocean City than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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.

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

One day in Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. 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 Virginia Beach?

Ocean City is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife around the destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. 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 Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach, a popular coastal 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 coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

In Ocean City, you'll find nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal 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 Virginia Beach, we can see that Ocean City is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ocean City is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Ocean City is cooler than Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Ocean City can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ocean City is much colder than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Virginia Beach. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Virginia Beach. The spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

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

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Ocean City