Ocean City, Maryland is a popular spot for summer vacationers from the surrounding states. It has miles of beach and a boardwalk with shops and restaurants. I’ve been here many times so I will share some tips and travel favorites below!
Getting Here
- By Air – The best option would be to fly into BWI or Philadelphia since the only other options is the local airport at Ocean City Maryland.
- By Car – It’s about 3 hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and DC. And then about 4 hours from Richmond.
Where to Stay
There are so many places to stay right in Ocean City. Prices will vary depending on if you have a view and beach access. I’ve stayed at a few different ones in the past but don’t think they’re work recommending. If I were to stay at a hotel I’d check out the Cambria, the Park Place, or a holiday in. I’d personally prefer finding an Airbnb or VRBO or renting a condo. There’s a lot of options and obviously prices are better during the off season.
If you’d prefer to stay outside of the downtown area, you can check out the more northern area of Ocean City or the western area as well as Ocean Pines or Fenwick area.
Where to Eat
- Barn 34 – This is a great breakfast spot but can get pretty packed. They have an acai bowl as well as a variety of eggs benedict options.
- Assateague Island Surf Cafe – This is on the way to Assateague and is my favorite place to stop for coffee and breakfast on the way to the park.
- Crab Alley – They have excellent cream of crab soup, shrimp, and our favorite, crabs. We go here every weekend there we’re in town and always make sure to get crabs.
- Fish Tales – They have great outdoor seating on the bay where you can watch the fishing boats come in and they have a variety of food options.
- Dough Roller – This is where we get pizza. Every Friday night on our drive down, we usually call in a pizza and wings and pick them up on the way to the condo.
- Java Beach Cafe – Great for coffee and a quick breakfast right along the boardwalk.
- Dumsers – This is the best spot for dessert. They have ice cream, sundaes, and other treats. You can also eat here as well.
- Mackys – This is a great spot for sunset and happy hour.
- Harpoon Hanna’s – They have all you can eat snow crab and there’s incredible coconut muffins.
- Fager’s Island – There’s often bands here and you can enjoy live music.
- Rope Walk – Another great spot for sunset and dinner.
- High Tide Cafe – This is in Fenwick but worth the drive. They have a little patio outside you can eat at which is adorable.
What to Do
- Visit Assateague National Seashore (MD or VA side) – There’s wild horses, short hiking trails, and beach access. We come here every single time we’re in town and is most beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
- Go to the beach for sunrise. – It may be early but so beautiful.
- Kayak in the bay – Either bring your own or find a rental option and enjoy the water views. \
- Assateague State Park – This shares an entrance with the National Seashore entrance. You can see the wild horses and access the beach here as well.
- Visit the boardwalk – This is very touristy but there’s a lot of shops and restaurants and is fun for people watching.
- Go for a bike ride – You can do this on the boardwalk at certain times
- Check out some local towns like Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, or Rehoboth!
- Go shopping – there’s outlets down toward Ocean City and in Rehoboth. On a rainy day this is a great option.
- Go mini golfing – This is a great option for an evening before getting some ice cream.
- Drive to Cape Henlopen State Park – Depending on where you’re arriving from, this could be on your way there or way home. Its beautiful and great to watch some wildlife.
There’s so much to do in the area, that even in a weekend you’ll only scratch the surface. It’s a beautiful place to visit and enjoy some great seafood, waves, and sunshine!
