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

Should you visit Ocean City or Williamsburg?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Williamsburg? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Ocean City and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Ocean City and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is more touristy than Williamsburg and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Ocean City different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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 Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ocean City. 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 Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Ocean City know how to have a good time. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a great destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

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.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Williamsburg is revered around the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ocean City or Williamsburg.

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.

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Both Ocean City and Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Ocean City or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Williamsburg both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Williamsburg?

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

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Ocean City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Williamsburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Williamsburg?

In Ocean City, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this energetic city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and food around the well-preserved town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Ocean City or Williamsburg?

Ocean City is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Williamsburg?

In Ocean City, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this laid back destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Williamsburg?

Ocean City is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Williamsburg 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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 Williamsburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

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

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Ocean City is cooler than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In January, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Williamsburg in the Spring?

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

Ocean City is cooler than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in April than Williamsburg. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Ocean City