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

Should you visit Tampa or Ocean City?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Ocean 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a laid back, active, and energetic city. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Ocean City travel costs.

Tampa and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Ocean City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tampa. Although Tampa and Ocean City are popular destinations, Tampa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tampa is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Ocean City is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ocean City is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and Ocean City can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Ocean City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Tampa or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Ocean City has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or Ocean City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ocean City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Ocean City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Tampa and Ocean City are high quality choices.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Ocean City?

Ocean City is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ocean City has some good spots for those that want to go 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Ocean City Better for Families?

Ocean City is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Tampa or Ocean City Better for Couples?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

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

Ocean City is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options 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 Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Ocean City a more walkable city?

Tampa and Ocean City are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Ocean City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ocean City or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Ocean City?

Both Tampa 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 Tampa. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 3-7 days is enough time in Ocean City.

Families should spend more time in Ocean City than Tampa. 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 Tampa. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ocean City than Tampa 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 Tampa or Ocean City?

With food around the low-key city of Tampa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Ocean City, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or Ocean City?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Ocean City?

Tampa, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Ocean City is a fun place to experience. In Ocean City, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tampa or Ocean City?

Tampa 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.

In Ocean City, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this laid back destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Ocean City, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Ocean City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Ocean City?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or Ocean City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Ocean City. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

Tampa is a little warmer than Ocean City in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Ocean City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Tampa 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 Tampa or Ocean City in the Autumn?

Both Ocean City and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tampa is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Ocean City averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Ocean City in the Winter?

Both Ocean City and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ocean City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ocean City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Tampa 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 Tampa or Ocean City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Ocean City. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches during these months.

Tampa is much warmer than Ocean City in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Tampa