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

Should you visit Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Myrtle Beach? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a party-filled, busy, and jam-packed beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Tampa and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Tampa and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations, Myrtle Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Myrtle Beach is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Tampa attracts visitors for its food and scuba diving & snorkeling. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also well known for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Tampa different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Tampa is very good for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tampa area. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

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 Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Myrtle Beach has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Myrtle Beach is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Myrtle Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Tampa and Myrtle Beach are great choices.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Myrtle Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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 the Shopping Better in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Myrtle Beach has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

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

Tampa is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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 Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Myrtle Beach is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Myrtle Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

Myrtle Beach is a very popular beach city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Neither Tampa or Myrtle Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

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

Is Tampa or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Tampa and Myrtle Beach are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

Myrtle Beach is generally not very walkable. 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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Both Tampa and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Myrtle Beach than in Tampa. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 2-7 days is enough time in Myrtle Beach.

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

In Tampa, many people enjoy the food that this low-key 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.

In Myrtle Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this busy destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This beach 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.

A weekend in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Tampa is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Myrtle Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Myrtle Beach is a fun place to experience. In Myrtle Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Tampa is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Myrtle Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this jam-packed destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa or Myrtle Beach?

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 Tampa or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

Both Myrtle Beach and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tampa is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun.

Myrtle Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Myrtle Beach. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tampa is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Myrtle Beach. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Tampa is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Myrtle Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Tampa