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

Should you visit Sarasota or Ocean City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Ocean City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sarasota travel costs.

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.

Sarasota and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Ocean City?

Both Ocean City and Sarasota have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Sarasota is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Ocean City is known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Sarasota and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Sarasota is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities.

How is Sarasota different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ocean City and Sarasota. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Ocean City?

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

Sarasota offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

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 Sarasota or Ocean City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Sarasota and Ocean City.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ocean City area. 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 Sarasota or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice 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 Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Is Sarasota or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is great for the beach. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Ocean City?

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

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

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 Sarasota or Ocean City Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and Ocean City are amazing family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sarasota is very family-friendly. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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.

Is Sarasota or Ocean City Better for Couples?

Ocean City is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

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

Sarasota and Ocean City both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

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.

Is Sarasota or Ocean City a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Ocean City are decent when it comes to walkability.

Sarasota is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Ocean City or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Ocean City?

Both Sarasota and Ocean City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than in Sarasota. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 3-7 days is enough time in Ocean City.

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

One day in Sarasota or Ocean City?

With museums and nightlife around the entertaining city of Sarasota, 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.

The city of Ocean City offers food and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Ocean City?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Ocean City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Ocean City?

Sarasota, 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.

Ocean City is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ocean City, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Ocean City?

Sarasota 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.

Ocean City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ocean City has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarasota and Ocean City, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is Ocean City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Ocean City?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Ocean 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 Sarasota or Ocean 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 Sarasota or Ocean City in the Summer?

Both Ocean City and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sarasota is a little warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Ocean City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

Ocean City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ocean City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Ocean City. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ocean City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Ocean City. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ocean City can be very cold during winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Ocean City in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ocean City in the Spring?

Both Ocean City and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Ocean City averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Sarasota