For more beach news, traffic and weather, visit 蜜桃视频app鈥檚 Summer Beach Guide section.
With the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk, family-friendly beach and vibrant night life scene, Ocean City, Maryland, has become a go-to summer destination for Washingtonians.
Whether it鈥檚 your very first time visiting 鈥� or just your first time out this year 鈥� here鈥檚 蜜桃视频app’s Ocean City Beach Guide, filled with tips from locals, to help you navigate one of the Mid-Atlantic鈥檚 most exciting beach towns.
Where should you go in Ocean City, Md. this year?
Go to: Your favorite crab house. There鈥檚 lots of them, and it鈥檚 because sitting at a table and picking crabs is a great way to relax with friends.
Take your kids to: . Located at the very end of the boardwalk, you have expansive views of the channel as boats exit the ocean for Assawoman Bay and back. Your kids will keep busy looking across at Assateague Island, hoping to see some of the wild ponies that sometimes graze to the northern point, just across from O.C.
Go here for the first time: hasn鈥檛 been around for a while but it鈥檚 back in a new location for less than a year now and was already nominated for Best New Restaurant in Maryland. It didn鈥檛 win, but there鈥檚 probably a reason it made the list. Decide for yourself.
You probably haven’t tried this place, but you’ll wish you did: in West Ocean City. The Restaurant Association of Maryland named it best restaurant in the state. You have to drive over to West O.C. to get there, a bridge too far for some, but maybe not anymore.
Get breakfast at: will sit down and serve you something hot, but its doughnuts are also big, rich and delicious.
Need a pizza? You have tons of options. But on Coastal Highway at 92nd Street never disappoints.
What is new in Ocean City, Md.?
Things to do in Ocean City
- A ninja-style obstacle course built by Woodward called opened on 3rd Street.
- Check out the tunes at .
- And Punkin Chunkin could be coming to Ocean City in 2019.
New Ocean City restaurants and O.C. food
- at Coastal Highway and 75th Street.
- in the LaQuinta on 32nd Street.
- in the development on 67th Street bayside.
- on the boardwalk at 6th Street.
- 鈥� The owners of Ropewalk are turning what used to be the old J/Rs on 131 Street that closed in 2014 into a聽Dave & Busters concept.
- replaces the Kirby’s Red Onion Grille at 137th Street.
- 聽on North Philadelphia Avenue has undergone extensive renovations. It’s uptown Tex-Mex restaurant closed.
- 聽on Atlantic Avenue has a new chef and menu 鈥� Brad Taylor from Captain鈥檚 Table.
- There’s a new in West Ocean City.
- on the west end of the Commercial Fishing Harbor in West Ocean City has a new menu.
- There’s a new in West Ocean City.
- Get your sweets from the newly opened in West Ocean City.
- The in West Ocean City is moving into the area adjacent to Hoopers.
New Ocean City Hotels
- in West Ocean City has opened.
- on 3rd Street by City Hall has opened.
- on 45th Street has opened.
Beach traffic and weather
蜜桃视频app’s summer beach section
What are some family-fun activities in O.C., Md.?
There are plenty of places where adults can let loose, but Ocean City has plenty of kid-friendly fun.
There are the obvious choices, such as a visit to the 聽on Coastal Highway at 29th Street or one of the many mini-golf courses, but there are also free activities to keep families of all ages entertained.
- Ride the renovated Ferris wheel: The Ferris wheel at the Jolly Roger Amusement Park.
- Free movies: June 5 through Aug. 28, catch free movies on the beach Monday and Friday nights at 27th Street and the beach as well as Wednesdays at the Carousel Hotel on 117th Street. .
- Ice cream in the park: Have a couple of ice cream lovers in your group? You鈥檒l definitely want to make part of your beach vacation. Every Sunday from June 16 through Sept. 1, enjoy free ice cream sundaes, games for the kids and live entertainment at Northside Park at 125th Street bayside.
- Camp: Every summer the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department offers more than 30 different summer camps 鈥� from model rockets to tennis to kayaking. .
- Nightly light show: Back for its second year is a nightly light show, called 100 Nights of Lights, which runs every 20 minutes from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. The show is free and happens on beach near North Division Street.
- Dance party: Every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ocean City鈥檚 Caroline Street Stage on the beach (July 2 through Aug. 27), dance fans can let loose to live entertainment. Pack your beach chair and a blanket .
- Sunset Park Party Nights: 2019 Dates: Thursdays, July 11 to Aug. 29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a free concert while watching the sunset over the Isle of Wight Bay. and head to South聽Division Street on the bay, near the Coast Guard Station.
- Competitive castles: The annual will be held June 25 through Aug. 13 at 27th Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Events include sand castle contests, tug-of-war, relay races and more.
- Wild horses on Assateague: A quick drive to check out the ponies and wildlife on Assateague Island is always a nice outing for little ones and grown-ups, alike. You will have to pay to park at .
- A Marine-themed museum: The is another great option. Enjoy it from July 1 to Aug. 24. Print a .
- Take to the water: Kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing and other water sports are a big part of the summer lifestyle at Ocean City. Rental shops are sprinkled throughout Ocean City and Delaware, especially along the bay.
What are some rainy-day activities in Ocean City?聽
Bad weather keeping you from spending the day at the beach? There鈥檚 still plenty to do.
Check out local art听补迟 聽on 94th Street.
Of course, there are endless options for and eating (here are some recommendations from 蜜桃视频app staffers), should the rain move in.
What’s Ocean City known for?
Ocean City is known for a lot of things. Be sure to check out these activities, recommended by frequent visitors and locals, alike.
- Favorite fries and beachy beverages: No trip to Ocean City is complete without french fries from聽, a frozen rum cocktail at and a sunset at , complete with the 鈥�1812 Overture.鈥�
- Boats at the beach: Boat fanatics will enjoy a trip to the town鈥檚 commercial harbor.
- Fresh seafood at Fish Tales: Like to watch the boats and eat? Local resident John Buono recommends a trip to on Herring Way.
- Best view: Visitors should take a stroll under the pier at the inlet and out to the jetty area, which overlooks Assateague Island.
- Small-town charm: Need a change of scenery? The Maryland towns of and are a short drive away (15 to 30 minutes). Grab lunch, or go on an while you鈥檙e there. And be sure to check out Berlin鈥檚 farmers market on Fridays.
- O.C. Air Show: The annual , featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, returns June 15 and 16. Your best viewing spots are along the boardwalk.
- ArtX: Aug. 24 and 25, catch music, art and film at the聽. It will be at Northside Park.
Where do you park in Ocean City?聽How do you get around Ocean City?
Just headed to the beach for a quick trip? Here鈥檚 what you need to know about parking:
- Meters: There is plenty of parking in town, and much of it is metered along the main roads. Download the , so you can refill the meter without giving up your spot on the beach.
- Lots: The at 809 S. Atlantic Ave. has 1,200 parking spaces and is located close to the boardwalk and beach. Find .
- Park & Ride: On busy weekends, such as Memorial Day and Fourth of July, the is recommended. Park your car in West Ocean City and take the shuttle downtown for $3.
- Bus: Take the anywhere in town for $3.
- Bikes: Lots of people get around town on bikes, mopeds, scooters and by foot. are scattered throughout town.
Where do you stay in Ocean City 鈥� Ocean City hotels, Ocean City rentals and Ocean City condos?聽
Lodging at Ocean City is a real mix of hotels and home and condo rentals.
Those looking to be right in the center of the action might prefer an oceanfront room near the boardwalk or inlet. Visitors looking for more of a quiet escape will find that in the northern part of the town.
For condo rentals, real estate companies have rentals, including , , , , , and聽.
You can find more rentals on and , as well as with a Google search of Ocean City, Md. rentals.
Another great resource: offers visitors tips for finding the perfect place to fit their needs 鈥� from pet-friendly accommodations to bay-side bedrooms.
And you find hotel deals on the聽.
For more beach news, traffic and weather, visit 蜜桃视频app鈥檚 Summer Beach Guide section.
蜜桃视频app’s Rachel Nania, John Domen, Will Vitka and Colleen Kelleher contributed to this Beach Guide.
