What a name to give to a place! As wonderful as, the Ocean City! Find fun things to do in Ocean City
The beautiful city is in United States of Maryland. It is cozying in between the Atlantic Ocean and Wright Bay. We have been visiting this place every summer, since a decade and this place never get us to bore. It is like Manhattan of beaches.
Ocean City did not grow fame in a decade. It has been hosting visitors since, 1850s. The beach is breathtaking busy and at the same time.
The city is lined with miles and miles of ocean and boardwalk with restaurants, shops, hotels, amusement parks, golf parks, museums and pubs. Together they all bring life to the beach.
Ocean City has been hosting adventure sports, theme parks, night life since decades. For the lazy ones, fishing is a sport. My favorite is play with the sand, collect shells, race with the tide on the beach and of course! Just sit back and enjoy the rolling waves.
It extends more than nine miles from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The strip now supports hotels, apartments, houses, shopping centers, residential communities, extras. Ocean City has a mix of both, old houses which were constructed in Victorian style and modern houses, hotels prioritizing the needs and comforts of guests and residents.
Fact is Ocean City was called, “The Ladies Resort to the Ocean” before 1870. With the completion of Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in 1964 it invited more and more visitors. Summers are crazy here; Ocean City hosts as much as eight million tourists annually!
The best time to visit this city is in between June to September
Things to Do in Ocean City
Number of special events takes place within the city, including Sunfest, Springfest, Bike Week, Cruisin’ Weekend, Winterfest of Lights and Reach the Beach, which take place on the Boardwalk and/or in the Roland Convention Center. This city is also home to the Brine Beach Lax Festival, held in June, every year.
If you are a sea food lover, Ocean City is your place. It has a long history of fishing and famous for fishes like billfish, tuna, wahoo, extra. It also holds the largest fishing tournaments in the world. The prize money can range over one million dollars!!
There have also been shark sighting in the city’s ocean. It includes both sand shark and tiger shark. Comparatively to the past, there has been also an increase in the number of appearances of foxes and deer.
Boardwalk:
Ocean City boardwalk stretches for 2.25 miles approximately. The boardwalk, as big as Ocean City has also a trackless train tram running called Boardwalk Tram.
Ocean City Transportation system, has the public transportation is an excellent commute from one point to other in the city. I never felt tired walking, roaming and covering these miles because the minute you feel tired, just hop on the tram or bus.
With the “beach bus” app you can track live location of the buses.
Prior, it was called “Atlantic Avenue”. It is a home for delicious restaurants, rides.
Don’t believe me, Ocean City’s boardwalk has been constantly rated as one of the “best boardwalks for food” and was in the top ten by National Geographic for the “Best Boardwalk”.
Skate Park:
Ocean Bowl Skate-park was opened in 1976. It is the longest running municipal skate-park in the country today. The park has attracted the National Dew Tour for several years and many pro skateboarders from around the world.
State Park is beautiful with huge number of trees.
I was not a fan of camping there because though it did not rain, the place became swampy and wet during night. They have token operated showers (1 Token = 3 minutes). Token can be bought at the gate.
State Park is walking distance from the beach. If you are visiting Ocean City, do visit this park.
Trimper’s Rides or Jolly Roger at the Pier:
Without doubt, it is an amazing amusement park. Trimper’s Rides is located at the south side of the boardwalk.
It consists of both indoor and outdoor facility. The indoor rides are a paradise for the younger ones.
Multiple attractions inside this part of the building include collection of operating vintage kiddie rides, a circa with a menagerie of (horses, zebra, dragon, rooster, and other animals), three chariots, bumper car ride, shooting gallery.
The park also has a ‘Haunted Hose’. The outdoor areas, where most of the rides are located, are “The Tidal Wave” ( tall looping roller coaster), “Pirates Cove” (a walk-through fun house), mirror maze, “Wacky Worm” (family roller coaster), “The Freakout” (a pendulum thrill ride), “The Rock N Roll” (a fast-moving Matterhorn ride), Zipper Ride, Tea Cup Ride, etc.
I would suggest spending a full day here. A day here is also less. Get ready to fill your lungs with air!
Sports and Adventures in Ocean City:
Mini-golfing is another famous sport here. Don’t miss that out!
I visited ‘Old Pro Golf-Undersea Adventure’ for indoor golfing. For outdoor, I also had a fun time at ‘Old Pro Golf-Renaissance Castle Mini Golf’.
Odyssea Watersports holds the first place currently, for the best water sports in Ocean City.
Sports include jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, surfing, underwater exploration of snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Jet Ski rentals at Odyssea Watersports are $85/hour and $65/half hour approximately and one should be must be 16 years of age or over to do the sport.
I believe, Odyssea Watersports has aim to tempt you to come to Ocean City, in the next summer.
Paradise Watersports is one of Ocean’ City premier parasailing companies. Parasailing costs $60/ person for 400ft, $70/ person for 600ft, $80/ person for 800ft, and $20 for on boat observers.
48th Street Watersports, an impressive beachside facility located on 48th Street. It is City’s original Stand up Paddleboard headquarters and home to a plethora of other waters ports and activities, including: Stand up Paddleboard rentals at Ocean City’s costing $20/hr, $40/3hrs, and $60/day.
Multiple other sports by them also include: Private Sailing, Wind surfing, Paddleboat, kayaking, extras. They also kayak and SUP tours costing $25/hour and $30/hour respectively.
My favorite sport was half Jet Ski. It gives you100% adrenaline rush. It gives you the chance to cruise around, and above, the bay on water. A 20 minute flight on the Jetovator costs just $99 and riders of all ages are entertained. OC Jetovator is the original home for these sports.
Please be advised that price(s) mentioned may vary.
You can also rent a Bike, from multiple places like The Wobbly Wheel, Dandy Don’s and Bike World, etc. It multiples the fun factor of your stay. Bicycling on boardwalk comes with its own fun.
Assateague Island:
The Island is 37 mile long of which two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the third is in Virginia.
There are more than 300 species that are known to inhabit the island during some time of the year.
Island also permits car camping. The main attraction of the island is its animals. Famous for its horses and ponies, local colonial allows them to run loose. There comes a time when there population becomes excessive in numbers and then they are removed from the island placed into human ownership, to domestication. These animals are popular tourist attractions and subjects for photography.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum:
For me, I found that the on-site prices were cheaper than online. I spent a total of 90 minutes there. There is lot of weird and cool stuff in the museum at the same time. From mirror maze to laser race, wacky tunnel, it will keep you entertaining every second.
What to Eat and Where to Stay?
Ocean City now promises high-rise condominiums, upscale amenities such as spas, restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools as well.
Ocean City has a very lively night life with casinos, pubs and clubs. The 49th street has the highest grossing bars in the country. The nightlife and dining are must to have experiences here.
Embers
It is located on the 20th Street. It has a huge buffet, famous for its steaks, sea food and pasta. It has well designed kid’s station too. The king crab legs are a must try here. Though in peak seasons the place is a little over crowded. The staff will be friendly and overall, the place will be worth your time and money.
Phillips
If you are at Phillips, there pasta and fried shrimp is a must try. The restaurant was open in 1956. Restaurant serves buffet, ala carte, carry outs. It will worth your pennies if you are a sea food lover.
Phillips goes with the tag lines “A toast to the Souls”.
Seacrets
It has been a winner from the past two years, 2016 and 2017. The place has a live music, some of the best drinks are served and full of day/night entertainment. Upon your choice, it also provides you with waterfront dining.
The hotels can be searched according to your priorities. They can be classified on the matter of choice, whether it will be Ocean Front, on the Boardwalk or in Downtown.
Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel
This place is one of the finest hotels in Ocean City. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation or a weekend with friends, it is
Romantic getaway gets a specials feature two nights in a deluxe Ocean View king room, champagne and roses placed in your room prior to arrival, complimentary passes to their health spa and more.
Hotel also has a beautiful indoor pool and lively night clubs and restaurants.
It has gorgeous rooms and a view to the Atlantic Ocean.
Apart from the stay the hotel can be booked for weddings, meetings and conferences. The hotel has a night life of its own.
The reservation can be made on hotel’s website https://clarionoc.com. However, I would suggest looking for deals and coupons on other websites too.
Hotel is also famous for its dining and Pub.
Breakers Pub is famous for its casual, relaxed atmosphere. It is also famous for its food. I tried the super overstuffed sandwich and salad. If you are a night person, the action starts at the Breakers Pub. It has a magical view. The Pub is located on the terrace level overlooking the ocean.
The Pub also has happy hour specials served from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
They also have a special menu for kids!!
Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City
Two things you will always find everywhere in this country, Starbucks and Marriott!
Whenever in doubt stay here. This is at eight minutes walk from the beach and has one of the top rated locations in Ocean City.
Hotel provides you with multiple options of room like King Studio, Queen Studio, King Suite, etc. The hotel has its own pool area bar, fire pit, fitness room, restaurant, washer/dryer on floor, and walking distance to some cool bars: Bad Monkey, Macky’s, and even Seacrets!
Hotel also hosts weddings and conferences.
Hilton and Hyatt are the other options for luxury stay.
Another favorite thing for girls across the globe is, shopping. Whether you are looking for T shirts, swim suit, shades, furniture to decorate or souvenirs, you’ll find it in Ocean City!
When in Ocean City, Don’t worry, Beach Happy!
Always start your day with a sunrise over the beach. Nothing is calmer than the sunrise with the sounds of waves. Places like these bring you closer to nature and to oneself. Ocean City is a must visit place with tens of places to see and hundreds to observe.
And trust me; Beach is always a good idea!
