For generations of Maryland families, Ocean City has been the classic summer getaway. With 10 miles of beach, a lively boardwalk, kid-friendly attractions, seafood spots, mini golf courses, and plenty of places to grab ice cream after a long day in the sun, Ocean City always has your old favorites from when you were a kid, but still gives you something new to discover each time you visit. You can pack the car for a quick weekend, plan a full week by the water, or sneak away for a few days when everyone needs a reset. No matter your vacation style, we have a guide for you. Read on for where to stay, things to do, places to eat, and where to shop.
Getting There
Ocean City is located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, right along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about 125 miles from Annapolis and, depending on beach traffic, usually takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours to get there. Of course, anyone who has crossed the Bay Bridge on a summer weekend knows that “depending on beach traffic” is doing a lot of work here.
The main route from Annapolis takes you over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and along Route 50, with plenty of familiar stops along the way if you need gas, snacks or a bathroom break. If you’re leaving first thing in the morning, the Cracker Barrel right after the Bay Bridge is a classic breakfast stop. Later in the drive, Vanderwende Farm Creamery makes for a delicious ice cream break. Yes, we all love Dumser’s, but Vanderwende has some of my favorite ice cream and a great view of the chefs themselves: the cows. It’s a great stop for the kids on the way there (and on the way back).
Once you arrive, Ocean City stretches from the inlet at the south end all the way up to the Delaware line, with the boardwalk and downtown attractions closer to the lower streets and quieter hotels, restaurants and beach access points farther north.
Where to Stay
Ocean City has options for just about every kind of beach trip. Want to wake up and walk straight onto the sand? Prefer a hotel with enough activities that the kids may forget to ask for the arcade? Need a kitchen so you are not buying three restaurant meals a day? There are plenty of places to unpack your bags, drop the beach toys in a corner and settle into vacation mode.
Hotels
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
If an indoor pool is high on your family’s must-have list, Princess Royale is a strong contender. This oceanfront resort sits in North Ocean City and has a big tropical atrium with a heated indoor pool, which is especially helpful if you get a rainy beach day or kids who somehow still want to swim after spending six hours in the ocean. They also offer suites and condos, so families can spread out a little more than they would in a standard hotel room.
Address: 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Located right on the boardwalk, Commander Hotel & Suites is a good option if you want to be in the middle of the classic Ocean City experience. You can walk to the beach, stroll the boardwalk, grab fries, ride bikes in the morning and make it back to your room without loading everyone into the car. With rooms and suites, including some with kitchenettes or full kitchens, it also gives families a little extra flexibility when everyone needs snacks, leftovers, or a break from restaurant meals.
Address: 1401 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
Francis Scott Key Family Resort
This one is not oceanfront, but it is designed with families in mind. Located in West Ocean City, Francis Scott Key Family Resort is about a mile from the beach and boardwalk and offers a quieter break from the congestion of town. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a playground, mini golf, an arcade, and plenty of kid-friendly amenities. If your children are the kind who ask, “What are we doing now?” before you have even finished applying sunscreen, this may be your place.
Address: 12806 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Camping
If your family likes the idea of camping near Ocean City but still wants activities and amenities, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is worth a look. Located just outside Ocean City in Berlin, this Wild West-themed resort has RV sites, tent camping, vacation rentals, cabins, cottages, and even covered wagons. There’s also a water park, pool, arcade, miniature golf, on-site dining, and a marina. It is camping, but with enough extras that no one can accuse you of roughing it too hard.
Address: 8428 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, MD 21811
What to Do
The beach may be the main reason everyone piles into the car for Ocean City, but it is far from the only thing to do once you get there. You can build your whole trip around sandcastles and snacks, or you can fill the week with rides, games, boat trips, mini golf, water slides, and day trips.
Have a Classic Beach Day
Sometimes the best Ocean City plan is the simplest one: pack the chairs, towels, sunscreen, snacks, and a ridiculous number of sand toys, then claim your spot for the day. Bring cash or a card for umbrella and chair rentals if you do not want to haul everything from home.
Cool Off at Splash Mountain Water Park
For a full water park day, Jolly Roger’s Splash Mountain Water Park is a major Ocean City attraction. There are slides, splash areas, a lazy river, and options for different ages, so younger kids can have fun while older kids look for bigger thrills. It is the kind of place where you should plan on sunscreen, towels, water shoes, and at least one parent saying, “Wait, we are climbing all those stairs again?”
It is also a good change of pace if the ocean is too rough, the beach is too crowded, or everyone wants water fun without bringing half the beach back to the hotel room.
Take a Bike Ride
Morning bike rides on the boardwalk are an Ocean City tradition. Before the beach crowds take over, families can ride bikes or rent a surrey and cruise along the boards with the ocean on one side and breakfast plans on the other. It is one of the best ways to see the boardwalk without navigating the evening crowds. If you rent a surrey though, prepare for at least one adult to do most of the pedaling while everyone else provides commentary.
Hit the Boardwalk
No Ocean City trip feels complete without at least one walk on the boardwalk. This is where you get the full classic beach-town experience: Thrasher’s Fries, ice cream, arcades, souvenir shops, rides, people-watching, and the smell of caramel popcorn floating through the air. Go in the morning for a quieter bike ride or surrey ride, or head out after dinner when the lights come on and everyone suddenly has room for one more snack.
The boardwalk is also home to some of the Ocean City staples families return to year after year, including Trimper Rides, Jolly Roger at the Pier, Marty’s Playland, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! It can be crowded. It can be overstimulating. It can be a little chaotic. And somehow, that is also part of the charm.
Get Your Adrenaline Pumping
If your crew likes a little more speed, go-karts are a must. Jolly Roger SpeedWorld has multiple tracks, including options for different ages and comfort levels, so families can split up based on who wants a casual ride and who suddenly thinks they are training for NASCAR.
Baja Amusements and Grand Prix Amusements in West Ocean City are also popular spots for go-karts and family entertainment. They are good options if you want to get away from Coastal Highway for a bit, or if your kids saw one go-kart track and immediately decided the vacation now requires three.
Make It a Mini Golf Night
Ocean City takes mini golf seriously. You can find outdoor courses with pirates, dinosaurs, dragons, castles, and waterfalls. Old Pro Golf is one of the most popular options, with several themed indoor and outdoor courses around town, making it a good choice whether the weather is beautiful or the forecast has other plans.
Outdoor mini golf is a great after-dinner activity, especially when the sun starts to go down and everyone has had enough beach time. Indoor mini golf is a lifesaver on rainy days, extra-hot afternoons or those moments when the kids still need to burn energy and you need air conditioning.
Get Out on the Water
Ocean City is surrounded by water, so getting out on a boat can be one of the best parts of the trip. Families can book dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, speed boat rides, or bay boat tours for a different view of the shoreline. Sea Rocket and OC Bay Hopper are two popular options, depending on whether your family wants something fast and splashy or a calmer cruise around the bay.
Jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and pontoon boats are available from local rental companies, including spots around the bay and West Ocean City. This is a good one to match to your family’s ages, comfort level, and willingness to get wet. Spoiler: someone is getting wet.
Save Indoor Fun for Rainy Days
A beach trip is always better when you have a rainy-day plan. Ocean’s Playhouse in West Ocean City is a great indoor option, especially for younger kids who need to climb, slide, and play somewhere air-conditioned. Ocean City has several escape room options, so you can choose one based on age, difficulty, and how well your family handles being locked in a room together with clues.
For a slower indoor day, check movie times at Flagship Premium Cinemas in West Ocean City. Sometimes a movie, popcorn, and two hours of not talking is exactly what everyone needs.
Plan a Day Trip
If you want to break up the week, Assateague Island makes a great day trip. It is close enough to Ocean City that you can go for a few hours or make a whole day of it. Families can see the famous wild horses, spend time on the beach, walk trails, visit nature areas, and enjoy a quieter, more natural shoreline. Just keep a safe distance from the horses. They may look peaceful, but they are still wild animals, not vacation mascots.
Rehoboth Beach is another fun day trip if you want a different boardwalk, more shops, restaurants, and a change of scenery. It is close enough for a daytime adventure, especially if your family likes browsing, eating, and comparing beach towns.
Where to Eat
Ocean City is one of those places where everyone has their favorites, and people are usually very loyal to them. Maybe your family always gets the same pizza the first night. Maybe you have a nonnegotiable fries stop on the boardwalk. Maybe you are just trying to find coffee before anyone asks you to apply sunscreen. Whatever your vacation food priorities are, there are plenty of places to keep everyone fed and happy.
Coffee
Before the beach bags are packed and the sunscreen battle begins, coffee is important. The Stoke is a great stop for coffee, smoothies, pastries, and breakfast items with all the bright, beachy vibes.
Quick Breakfast
For a quick, fresh breakfast or snack, Pablo’s Bowls is a favorite. Their acai bowls, smoothies, and coffee drinks are easy to grab before the beach, after a bike ride, or when everyone needs something that feels a little lighter than pancakes and bacon.
Breakfast
Barn 34 is a popular breakfast and brunch spot with a cozy, coastal farmhouse feel and a menu that goes beyond basic eggs and toast. It is a good choice when you want a sit-down breakfast before a full day of beach, rides, or shopping. Just be prepared: everyone else may have the same idea.
Bayside Skillet is a classic. Known for crepes, omelets, and big breakfast plates, along with its bright pink building, it’s a spot you can’t miss.
Pizza
The Dough Roller is an Ocean City classic, with multiple locations and a menu that covers more than just pizza. It is easy, familiar, and family-friendly, which can be exactly what you need after a long day in the sun when no one has the energy to debate dinner.
Lombardi’s is another longtime Ocean City favorite for pizza, pasta, and casual Italian food. It is a good option for families who want a sit-down meal.
Tacos
Grab n Go Tacos is a little farther down the beach, but it is worth the stop. This is my all-time go-to when I am in Ocean City. The tacos are fresh, flavorful, and easy to take with you, which makes it a perfect beach-trip meal. Sometimes you do not need a long dinner. You just need tacos that make you happy.
Papi’s Tacos is another great option when you want tacos, margaritas, and a fun casual dinner.
Boardwalk Must-Have
Of course, we have to talk about Thrasher’s. A bucket of fries on the boardwalk is basically an Ocean City requirement. Add vinegar, dodge the seagulls, and enjoy them while they are hot. Are they a full meal? Technically, no. Will that stop anyone from treating them like one? Also no.
Dinner
Longboard Café is a good dinner option for families looking for a casual but polished meal with different tastes for everyone.
Shotti’s Point is a fun, laid-back spot with tacos, burgers, seafood, and creative dishes that are different from the standard vacation menu.
The Hobbit is a great option for a nicer dinner, especially if you want beautiful bay views. This spot works well for a date night, a special family dinner, or one of those vacation meals where everyone needs to change out of sandy clothes first.
Fager’s Island is another Ocean City classic, especially for dinner with a sunset view. The menu has plenty of options, and if you time it right, you can watch the sun go down over the bay. That is a pretty good way to end a beach day.
Shopping
Ocean City has no shortage of places to pick up beach gear, souvenirs, sweatshirts, and the things you definitely thought you packed. The boardwalk shops are perfect for classic Ocean City finds, from T-shirts and toys to candy and keepsakes. Sunsations is also a reliable stop for beach-day basics, whether you need sunscreen, towels, chairs, swimsuits, or a last-minute pair of flip-flops.
For surf-inspired clothing and gear, Quiet Storm is a popular Ocean City stop with beachy brands, OC apparel, and gifts. And if you get a rainy day or need a break from the sun, Outlets Ocean City in West Ocean City gives families a more traditional shopping option with brand-name stores, deals, and plenty of parking.
Ocean City makes for the perfect getaway for Maryland families looking for beach days, boardwalk nights, and plenty to do between them. You can stay for a weekend or settle in for a full week, and there will still be one more restaurant to try, ride to take, arcade game to play, or favorite stop to revisit. Pack the sunscreen, bring your appetite, and get ready for a classic beach trip with a few new discoveries along the way.
