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

Should you visit Ocean City or Boone?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Boone? 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. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Boone

Boone is a charming, relaxing, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Ocean City and Boone: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Boone?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boone. Although Ocean City and Boone are popular destinations, Boone has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boone is very popular for its skiing, museums, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Boone and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Boone is famous for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. It is also well known for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

How is Ocean City different from Boone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Skiing?

Boone is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Ocean City is not a skiing destination.

Boone is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Ocean City is not a skiing destination.

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

Boone is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boone. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Boone both to be nice 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 Boone. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Boone are great 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.

Boone has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Boone is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Ocean City. 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.

Boone is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a great city for the beach. However, Boone is not a beach destination.

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.

Boone is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Hiking?

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

Boone is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Boone?

Boone 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 Boone. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

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 Boone Better for Families?

Ocean City is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Ocean City is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Boone is a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

Is Ocean City or Boone Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Boone make for a great 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.

Boone makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

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

Boone is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boone. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

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 Boone Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Boone. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Both Ocean City and Boone offer reasonable 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 Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Is Ocean City or Boone a more walkable city?

Boone is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

Boone is a very walkable destination. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

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 Boone Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boone or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Boone?

It's fun to spend time in either Ocean City or Boone. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Ocean City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Boone.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Boone?

In Ocean City, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this laid back 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.

Boone might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Boone?

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.

Even though Boone is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 town.

Five days in Ocean City or Boone?

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.

Boone, a popular 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 Boone?

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Boone?

Boone has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Boone, 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.