Summertime crowds swell to a breaking point in Ocean City – a beachy resort town that stretches along a barrier island off Maryland's coast. Nevertheless, few, if any, destinations on the US's east coast offer as quintessential an American summer escape as 'OC'. From the beach to the boardwalk, trips here are all about the sun, the sand and the sea.
The 4.8-kilometre Ocean City Boardwalk is the city's beating heart. Every inch of space opposite the beach is occupied by souvenir shops, bars, hotels and all amounts of arcade games and rides. At the boardwalk's southern end, a 1920s-era fishing pier features a Ferris wheel, restored carousel and other amusements. Elsewhere, you'll find public recreation centres like Northside Park and theme parks like Jolly Roger at the Pier, which offers go-kart racing and mini-golf.
Seafood dominates restaurant menus in Ocean City. Blue crabs are a Maryland signature, and you can order yours here baked, fried or steamed. Salt water taffy is another local staple – a soft, chewy candy invented in New Jersey that's now sold in seaside destinations across the US.
No visit to Ocean City is complete without time spent on the beach – during the warmer months, at least. Though often crowded, the sands here are spacious, clean and free to use. By day, visitors enjoy dips in the chilly Atlantic, while the more adventurous take to kayaking and surfing. At night, all return to shore to soak in the sunset.
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Most popular time to visit | October-December |
Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
Local currency | USD |
Language | |
Average weekend price | $265 per night |
Average weekday price | $285 per night |
Average stay | 2 nights |
Ocean City Boardwalk
2.3 miles from downtown
Seacrets
5.2 miles from downtown
Assateague Island National Seashore
0.7 miles from downtown
We like the beach and boardwalk.
August 19, 2025
We like the beach and boardwalk. The fresh air. Watch all the boats and people doing sports in and around the water. Need to get rid of stores that say nothing over 5.99 then when you go pay they charge you 24.99 because the shirt already had decal on. That is ripping people off . And having to pay sales tax and a city tax on merchandise.
Very beautiful long strip beach with gorgeous sunrises and...
August 18, 2025
Very beautiful long strip beach with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. So many wildlife, near by Seashore National Park has wetlands, beaches, lighthouse, wild horses, birds and a lot of wildlife biodiversity. Wild horses walk up to the car and right by you. Hermit crabs jumping out of beach sand holes into the ocean, even seen a horseshoe crab.
so much to do with family and grandkids.
August 18, 2025
so much to do with family and grandkids. i thought they would get bored. we could have stayed longer and still had things to do. everything was reasonably priced for a vacation spot !!! very impressed
A frequent traveler to OC, whether a week or just a day trip.
August 17, 2025
A frequent traveler to OC, whether a week or just a day trip. Love being 'downy oshun'. See the Discovery Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island (above Sea Shell City, same building), and go when it's nice out(far less crowded). The owner's name is Dale(who is just awesome!), so just google it and see for yourself. One of Delmarva's unintentional best kept secrets!
The location of Shore Point Cottages is great as it is close...
August 13, 2025
The location of Shore Point Cottages is great as it is close to West Ocean City and easy access to Assateague Beaches which we prefer. We LOVED The Stoke coffee spot and PURE LURE clothing store, these are very fun stops! And nothing beats the Assateague Crab House for lunch or dinner! We also had a day at Frontier Town which was family-filled fantastic fun!
The location was great.
August 11, 2025
The location was great. The beach was a block away and there was a Jolly Rogers right across the street. There were numerous places to each and an ice cream place as well. We drove down to the very end to park and go to the boardwalk. All in all it was a nice trip!
Midtown, Ocean City
From $112 per night
West Ocean City, Ocean City
From $340 per night
Midtown, Ocean City
From $340 per night
Boardwalk, Ocean City
From $366.50 per night
North Ocean City, Ocean City
From $281 per night
Apartments
From $76 per night
Resorts
From $57 per night
Villas
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Cottages
From $98 per night
Glamping
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Serviced Apartments
From $114 per night
Vacation Homes
From $98 per night
Motels
From $75 per night
B&Bs
From $249 per night
Self-catering Accommodations
From $57 per night