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

Should you visit Ocean City or Asheville?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Asheville? 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 active, energetic, and fun-filled city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Ocean City and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Asheville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Asheville. Although Ocean City and Asheville are both popular with visitors, Asheville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Asheville is more popular for its music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ocean City is known for its museums, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate.

How is Ocean City different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ocean City is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Asheville both to be good destinations.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Asheville are superb 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.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Music?

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

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is well known for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury 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.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is well known for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Hiking?

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

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Asheville?

Asheville is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

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 Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Ocean City does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Ocean City does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Ocean City does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Ocean City does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Families?

Ocean City is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Ocean City is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Ocean City or Asheville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Asheville make for a superb place to visit.

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.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

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

Asheville is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

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 Asheville Better for Students?

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

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Both Ocean City and Asheville offer decent public transit options.

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 mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Ocean City or Asheville a more walkable city?

Asheville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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 Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Asheville?

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

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Asheville?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Ocean City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the progressive mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. 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 Asheville?

You'll find food and nightlife around the energetic destination of Ocean City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. 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 mountain town.

Five days in Ocean City or Asheville?

You'll find nightlife and food around the fun-filled city of Ocean City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Asheville, a popular mountain town, 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 Asheville?

Ocean City is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ocean City, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Asheville 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and Asheville, we can see that Ocean City is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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 Asheville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Asheville, 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 Asheville?

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 Asheville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Asheville. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ocean City is generally cooler than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Asheville. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Asheville. The autumn months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

Ocean City is cooler than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Asheville. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Asheville in the Winter?

Both Asheville and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. In the winter, Ocean City is much colder than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In January, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Asheville. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Ocean City during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Ocean City is generally cooler than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocean City usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Ocean City