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

Should you visit Ocean City or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Minneapolis? 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 laid back, active, and energetic city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ocean City and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Minneapolis. Although Ocean City and Minneapolis are both popular with visitors, Minneapolis has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Minneapolis is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Ocean City is known for its resorts and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Minneapolis and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.

How is Ocean City different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art 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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Both Ocean City and Minneapolis are very good 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.

Minneapolis has a large number of nightlife venues. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Minneapolis is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Minneapolis is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a very popular place for the beache. However, Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Ocean City. 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.

Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Minneapolis is a world class destination for shoppers. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis Better for Families?

Ocean City is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Ocean City is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Ocean City is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Minneapolis is a good city for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis Better for Students?

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

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Ocean City is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Minneapolis has a few public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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.

Is Ocean City or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

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

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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 Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Ocean City or Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Ocean City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the laid back destination of Ocean City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

Five days in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Ocean City. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis, a popular 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.

A week in Ocean City or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ocean City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Minneapolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis 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 Ocean City Expensive? and Is Minneapolis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Minneapolis?

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

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 Ocean City or Minneapolis in the Summer?

Both Minneapolis and Ocean City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ocean City is generally around the same temperature as Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocean City. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Minneapolis. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Ocean City is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Minneapolis in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Minneapolis. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Ocean City can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ocean City is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Minneapolis in the Spring?

Both Minneapolis and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

In April, Ocean City is generally a little warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

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

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Ocean City