A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pensacola vs. Myrtle Beach for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Myrtle Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a entertaining, fun-filled, and active beach town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a high energy, party-filled, and busy beach city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Pensacola and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Pensacola and Myrtle Beach are both popular with visitors, Myrtle Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Myrtle Beach is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Pensacola is known for its museums, food, resorts, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Pensacola is popular for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. Myrtle Beach is popular for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also home to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Pensacola different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Pensacola is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pensacola. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pensacola is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Pensacola is an experience not to be missed. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Myrtle Beach just to party. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Pensacola is a great destination for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Pensacola. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

Pensacola is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Pensacola is a very popular vacation destination. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Myrtle Beach. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is a beach town with a few options for its hiking experiences. However, Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Pensacola. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Pensacola is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Pensacola to go shopping. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Pensacola is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Pensacola is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Pensacola is a great destination for couples. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Pensacola frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is notable for students. However, Pensacola is not popular with students.

Myrtle Beach is very popular with students. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Pensacola is not popular with students.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Pensacola or Myrtle Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Pensacola or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Pensacola and Myrtle Beach both are decent when exploring on foot.

Pensacola is generally not very walkable. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable beach town. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

For even more information, also check out Is Pensacola Worth Visiting? and Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Both Pensacola and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Pensacola has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pensacola than Myrtle Beach. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pensacola, and 2-7 days is enough time in Myrtle Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Pensacola than Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pensacola that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pensacola than Myrtle 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 Pensacola.

One day in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this entertaining beach town 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.

You'll find nightlife around the beach city of Myrtle Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Pensacola 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. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find nightlife around the party-filled destination of Myrtle Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this entertaining 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. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife around the high energy beach city of Myrtle Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer.

A week in Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Pensacola 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.

Myrtle Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Myrtle Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Myrtle Beach, we can see that Pensacola 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is Myrtle Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

Pensacola has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola and Myrtle Beach, 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 Pensacola or Myrtle Beach?

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 Pensacola or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and Myrtle Beach. The summer months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

In the summer, Pensacola is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pensacola in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pensacola usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pensacola or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as Myrtle Beach. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Pensacola is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 69°F (21°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pensacola usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Pensacola is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Pensacola or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Pensacola is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 51°F (10°C) in January, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Myrtle Beach. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pensacola or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Pensacola during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Pensacola in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Pensacola is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pensacola in April average around 67°F (20°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Pensacola usually gets more rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Pensacola is June to November.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Pensacola