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

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a fun, party-hard, and energetic beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and live music.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a fun-filled, laid back, and active city. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Daytona Beach and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach. Although Daytona Beach and Ocean City are popular destinations, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its museums, food, resorts, and beaches. Daytona Beach is famous for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also well known for The Daytona International Speedway. Ocean City is famous for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports.

How is Daytona Beach different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ocean City is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Ocean City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ocean City is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach just to party. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

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 Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ocean City is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its luxury resorts.

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.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

Both Daytona Beach and Ocean City are reasonable shopping destinations.

Daytona Beach has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

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 Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Families?

Ocean City is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Couples?

Ocean City is a well-known place for couples. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach 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.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Ocean City is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Ocean City a more walkable city?

Ocean City is a moderate city for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

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

How long in Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

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

Families should spend more time in Ocean City than Daytona 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 Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona 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 Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

With live music and nightlife around the lively beach city of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

Daytona Beach, a popular beach city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Ocean City?

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 Daytona Beach or Ocean City in the Summer?

Both Ocean City and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Ocean City in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Ocean City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocean City. It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Ocean City and Daytona Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Ocean City averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Ocean City. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Ocean City. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, 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, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Ocean City. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches during these months.

Daytona Beach is much warmer than Ocean City in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Ocean City. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Daytona Beach