So you're heading to Ocean City, huh? Good choice. I've been vacationing (and later living) here for over a decade, and let me tell you, finding the real Ocean City things to do beyond the obvious beach time takes some insider knowledge. Forget generic lists. This guide cuts through the tourist fluff to give you the practical, nitty-gritty details you actually need to plan an awesome trip, whether you're here for a weekend or a week. Trust me, I've made all the rookie mistakes so you don't have to.
Hitting the Classics: Must-Do Ocean City Activities
Okay, let's get the big ones out of the way first. You can't come to OC and NOT do these. But I'll give you the real scoop on making them work.
The Iconic Ocean City Boardwalk
Three miles of pure, chaotic fun. Open 24/7, but the real action is noon-11pm. Parking is a nightmare (and expensive – think $3-$5/hour in peak season). Seriously, just take the Boardwalk Tram ($4 per ride, all-day pass $12) or park near Northside Park and walk down. Best time? Early morning for a quiet stroll with coffee, or after dinner for people-watching.
| Must-Try Boardwalk Spot | What to Get | Price Range | Why It's Worth It (My Take) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrasher's French Fries (1st St near Boardwalk) | Fresh-cut fries (Vinegar ONLY!) | $ (Under $5) | A rite of passage. Lines look long but move fast. Skip the ketchup – trust me. |
| Dolle's Candyland (Various Locations) | Saltwater Taffy, Caramel Popcorn | $ (Under $10) | Old-school charm. Get the taffy mixed box. The popcorn is pure nostalgia. |
| Trimper's Rides (S. 1st St Boardwalk) | Carousel (Original!), Ferris Wheel | $$ ($5-$15 per ride) | Historic carousel is a must-do once. Ferris wheel views at sunset? Fantastic. |
| Marty's Playland (8th St Boardwalk) | Skee-Ball, Classic Arcade Games | $ (Games start at $0.25) | Pure, unadulterated fun. Competitive skee-ball is my jam. Tickets win decent prizes. |
Honestly, skip the fancy shops. The real magic is in the smells, the sounds, and those perfect boardwalk fries. Get ready for crowds July-August – it's part of the experience! Wondering about other Ocean City Maryland things to do? Keep reading.
The Beach: Sun, Sand, and Strategy
Free? Yes! But there are catches. Beach accesses are numbered streets. Best beaches? Families love 30th-60th St (wider sand, more facilities). Teens/young adults? South of 1st St near the pier tends to be livelier. Lifeguards are on duty 10am-5:30pm Memorial Day to Labor Day. Rentals? Umbrellas (~$25/day), chairs (~$15/day) are plentiful.
Biggest tip: Buy your beach tags early! You need them from 10am-5pm daily. Daily tags are $8, weekly is $20. Get them at the beach entrances or any City Hall. Don't risk the fine – they do check.
Parking near the beach? Street parking is scarce and has time limits. Public lots are your best bet (Cost: $3-$4/hour, daily max $15-$20 depending on lot/location). Best bet for families? Get there before 10am or park further inland and walk.
Beyond the Beach & Boardwalk: Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
This is where most guides fall short. Let's talk real Ocean City activities that locals actually enjoy, not just the tourist traps.
Water Adventures & Boat Trips
OC is surrounded by water – the ocean, bays, and marshes. Get out on it!
- Fishing Charters: Head to the Ocean City Fishing Center (12806 Harbor Rd) or Bahia Marina (22nd St & Bay). Half-day bay trips start around $65/person; full-day offshore $150+. Includes rod/reel/bait. Book WELL in advance!
- Dolphin Watching: OC Bay Hopper (310 Talbot St) offers solid 1.5-hour cruises ($28/adult). Seen dolphins 90% of my trips. Sunset tours are magical. Runs May-Oct.
- Paddleboarding/Kayaking: Rent from Ayers Creek Adventures (8628 Grey Fox Ln, Berlin) (Short drive, worth it!) or OC Paddler (48th St Bayside). Expect $25-$35/hour for SUPs. Best spots? Assawoman Bay for calm water, Isle of Wight Bay for exploring.
- Jet Skis: Rentals on bay side around 65th St (Bayside) and downtown around 2nd St (Bayside). ~$95-$120/hour for single rider. Fun, but pricey for families.
My personal favorite? A sunset kayak tour in the back bays. Super peaceful and you see tons of birds. Book early, spots fill up.
Family Fun Beyond the Sand
Got kids? Or just a kid at heart? Here's the lowdown:
| Activity | Location | Cost (Per Person) | Hours (Summer) | Pro Tip/My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Roger at the Pier (Rides & Waterpark) | Boardwalk at Pier | $$ (Ride Passes $35-$50, Splash Mountain $45) | 10am - Midnight (Rides), 10am-6pm (Waterpark) | Can get HOT and crowded. Go early or after 4pm. The giant slide is a blast but prepare for stairs! |
| Frontier Town (Wild West Theme Park) | 8428 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin (15 min drive) | $$ ($25-$40 All-Day Pass) | 10am - 6pm (Seasonal, check website) | Surprisingly fun! Waterpark included. Gold panning is a hit with younger kids. Good value for a full day. |
| Northside Park | 125th St Bayside | FREE | Dawn to Dusk | Massive playground, walking trails, fishing pier, mini-golf ($8). Fantastic sunset spot away from crowds. My go-to for a calm evening. |
| Ripleys Believe It or Not! | Boardwalk at Wicomico St | $$ ($18 Adult, $12 Child) | 10am - 10pm | Weird and wonderful. Good for a rainy hour or super hot afternoon. Interactive parts make it fun. |
Honestly? If it's super crowded downtown, head north. The beaches are wider past 80th St, and Northside Park is a lifesaver.
Food Worth the Splurge (Or Not!)
Ocean City restaurants? Endless choices, wildly varying quality. Here's my curated list after countless meals (and a few disappointments):
Crab Feast Must-Do:
You NEED Maryland blue crabs. Higgins Crab House (31st St Bayside, 131st St Bayside) is consistently reliable. All-you-can-eat feast (crabs, corn, shrimp, soup) ~$65/person. Messy, fun, essential. Go hungry. Warning: Not for the impatient!
Breakdown of Ocean City Eats:
- Breakfast/Brunch: Bayside Skillet (81st St Bayside) - Massive portions, huge menu. Expect a wait. $10-$15 plates. Fractured Prune (various locations) - Made-to-order donuts. Worth the hype? For a treat, yes. ($2-$3 per donut).
- Lunch: Pickles Pub (Boardwalk & 8th St) - Solid pub grub, good AC, screens for sports. Burgers ~$14. Crab Cake Factory (120th St Coastal Hwy) - Some of the best crab cakes (minimal filler). ~$25 for sandwich platter.
- Dinner (Casual): Crab Alley (123rd St Bayside) - Great views, solid seafood. Crab cakes again! Entrees $22-$35. Lombardi's Pizza (94th St Coastal Hwy & others) - Best NY-style slices in OC. $4/slice, $20+ pies.
- Dinner (Upscale): The Shark on the Harbor (12924 Sunset Ave, West OC) - Worth the drive over the bridge. Fresh seafood, creative dishes. Entrees $30-$50. Book ahead! Liquid Assets (94th St Coastal Hwy) - Wine shop/bistro combo. Excellent global menu & wine list. Entrees $28-$45.
My pet peeve? Overpriced, mediocre boardwalk pizza. Lombardi's is the exception.
What If It Rains? (Don't Worry!)
Ocean City activities don't stop when the weather turns. Trust me, I've seen plenty of rainy weeks!
- Movies: Ocean City Cinemas (45th St Coastal Hwy) - Modern multiplex. $12-$15 tickets. Check showtimes online.
- Arcades Galore: Beyond Marty's. Try Marty's Playland South (Boardwalk & S Division) or Jolly Roger Splash Mountain Arcade (30th St Coastal Hwy) (huge!). Games start at $0.25.
- Escape Rooms: Escape OC (67th St Coastal Hwy) - Well-designed rooms. ~$30/person for 60 mins. Good for groups of 4-8. Book online.
- Indoor Mini Golf: Old Pro Indoor (68th St Coastal Hwy) - Two 18-hole glow courses. ~$12/person. Loud, but fun distraction.
- Visit Berlin (Nearby Town): 10 miles west. Charming historic Main Street. Boutiques, antique shops, Burley Oak Brewery (10016 Old Ocean City Blvd) (craft beer). Free to wander.
Having a backup plan is key. Don't waste a day stuck in a tiny hotel room!
Ocean City Things to Do FAQs (The Real Questions You Have)
Okay, let's tackle those burning questions everyone searches for:
Q: What are some free things to do in Ocean City?
A: Plenty! Beach access before 10am/after 5:30pm (no tag needed!), walking the boardwalk (people-watching is free!), exploring Assateague Island National Seashore ($25 vehicle fee, but walk/bike in free), watching sunrise/sunset (Northside Park pier is prime), window shopping downtown, free concerts in Northside Park (summer nights - check city calendar).
Q: What Ocean City things to do are good for adults without kids?
A: Sunset sailing cruise (OC Bay Hopper), craft breweries (Fin City downtown, Backshore near inlet), upscale dining (The Shark, Liquid Assets), kayaking tours, hitting the casinos in West Ocean City (Ocean Downs slots), live music at bars like Coconut's (downtown) or Fager's Island (60th St Bayside - famous sunset toast!).
Q: What are the best Ocean City things to do at night?
A: Nighttime boardwalk stroll (lights, sounds!), mini-golf under the lights (many courses stay open late), catch a movie, live music venues (see above), ghost tours (cheesy but fun - OC Ghost Tours meet downtown), late-night ice cream (Dumser's!), or simply chilling on the beach (allowed, just no swimming).
Q: Where can I find the best happy hour deals for Ocean City activities?
A: Happy hour is serious business! Crab Alley (123rd St bayside) has great bay views and $1 oysters (4-6pm). Macky's Bayside Bar & Grill (54th St bayside) has a lively scene and decent drink/food specials. Fager's Island (60th St bayside) has a legendary sunset happy hour (drink specials, half-price appetizers - arrive EARLY). Double-check times as they change seasonally!
Q: Are there any unique Ocean City things to do nearby?
A: Absolutely! Drive 30 mins to Assateague Island see wild horses (park entrance fee). Explore Berlin (10 mins west) - cute shops, Burley Oak Brewing. Visit Frontier Town (15 mins west) for kids. Go clamming or oyster harvesting (check MD DNR for licenses/seasons). Take a day trip to Chincoteague, VA (another wild horse island, about 1.5 hrs south).
Planning Your Ocean City Adventure: Insider Tips
Alright, let's wrap this up with the stuff that makes or breaks a trip:
- Getting Around: Coastal Highway (Rt 1) is a beast in summer. Traffic jams are real. Use the Beach Bus! $4 per ride, $3 all-day pass. Runs frequently along Coastal Hwy and to West OC. Biking is great on the boardwalk (banned 10am-5pm Memorial Day-Labor Day) - rent from places like Bike World (2nd St). Driving? Park once and use transit/your feet.
- Parking Pass: If staying a week and driving daily, consider a Weekly Parking Pass ($80-$100 for season) for specific lots – can save money compared to daily max rates. Check OC website for details.
- Timing is Everything: Want fewer crowds? June and September are golden ("shoulder seasons"). Still warm, less chaos. July 4th week? Absolute peak madness. Be prepared.
- Book Ahead: This isn't Vegas, but popular restaurants (especially Crab Alley, The Shark, Liquid Assets), fishing charters, and boat tours DO book up, especially weekends. Reserve online or call at least a few days prior.
- Sun & Bugs: Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Reapply! Bugs? Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk near marshes/bayside. Bring spray. Greenheads (biting flies) on the beach occasionally on still, overcast days – they suck, but usually pass quickly.
Ocean City things to do really come down to mixing the iconic experiences with a few local secrets. Don't try to do everything. Pick a few must-dos, build in beach time, eat some crabs, and soak up that salty Ocean City vibe. It’s not fancy, but it’s got heart. Enjoy your trip!
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