Top 3 things to do in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland (View from the beach)



Located just 9 miles south of Delaware, Ocean City, MD, is one of the most popular beach destinations on the east coast.  It is a barrier island nestled between the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Isle of Wight / Assawoman Bay to the west.



OCMD truly has something for everyone.  From world famous Boardwalk to miles of beach, you won’t be bored there.  I recently had a chance to spend some quality time there with my wife, and our Pomeranian.  We had a great time there!


Without further ado, see my list of top 3 things to do in OCMD.


  1. The Beach! 


    This is most likely the reason why anyone would select a beach destination in the first place.  OCMD does not disappoint! Beach is approximately 10 miles long, so you won’t feel crowded.  Better yet, OCMD does a great job of maintaining the beach area.  You’ll see bulldozers working around the clock to give the beach a smooth look.

    Note the bulldozer in the middle of this photo doing maintenance

    Walk along the shore anytime of the day for a great exercise and a mental relaxation.  I couldn’t believe how different the beach looks depending on the weather.  On a sunny day, the sky is blue, while the ocean shimmers.  (You may even catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins!). 


    On a cloudy day, the ocean seems dramatic with distant clouds visible across the horizon.  


    On a rainy day, everything seems so calm, with only the sounds of rain pelting the ground and the ocean waves breaking. 

    Rainy day at Ocean City

    There are different happenings going on throughout the year.


    During my stay this past October, I saw Ocean City’s 2020 Kite Festival and Cruisin’ Ocean City (classic/hot rod/street machine festival).


  2. The Boardwalk!  


    OCMD Boardwalk is approximately 3 miles long, beginning from the southern end of OC at Inlet Park and ending on 27th street. It’s a perfect place to get some exercise anytime of the day.  You’ll see plenty of joggers, bicyclists, and wanderers (local and visitors alike) throughout the day.  


    There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bike rental places to fill your day and night.  If you’re visiting OCMD during the summer season, riding a bicycle is only allowed between 2 am until 11 am, so plan accordingly.  


    ***Summer season is defined as Memorial Day until Labor Day. (Similar rule applies for your dogs!  OC will allow dogs on the beach and the Boardwalk from October 1 through May 1, but not during the summer season.).   


    Grab a quick bite from any number of quick serve restaurants selling french fries, gyros, burgers, then either grab a seat by the many available benches overlooking the ocean, or have a seat on the beach instead.  


    If you prefer a more formal dining experience, then stop by any sit down restaurants on the Boardwalk.  Choices are endless:  Italian, steaks, seafood, and on and on and on...if you look hard enough, you’ll see that some of these dining establishments offer dinner specials.  I found an Italian restaurant on the Boardwalk that had $10 spaghetti & meatball dinner special and a $13 chicken parmigiana dinner special. 

    Ocean City Boardwalk during Kite Festival 2020


  3. Downtown recreation park/OC Town Skate Park/Free Fishing Pier:  


    Located between 4th street and Chicago Avenue, this is my absolute favorite place to watch beautiful sunsets!  Grab a bench by the fishing pier around sunset and watch the sky change color from yellow to orange to crimson.  


    Watch seabirds take flight.  Watch some seabirds resting on tiny islands seeming to enjoy sunsets themselves.  This is absolutely a delightful way to end your day.  



    Fishing pier at sunset



I certainly hope my top 3 list helps.  Remember, this is just my opinion based on my personal experiences while staying at OCMD during the month of October 2020.  Feel free to try all or some of the things mentioned then create your own list!


Thank you for reading!


***Other useful facts and tips


  • Sales tax is 6%

  • National restaurant chains (McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick Fil A, etc.,) are mostly absent on the Boardwalk.  You’ll want to cross over to the mainland (Route 50 if you’re staying at the southern part of OC) to find many of them or go north of the Boardwalk.

  • Some of the best gas prices are found outside of the Boardwalk area.  Either cross over to the mainland or go beyond the Boardwalk area.

  • There’s a Walmart about 5 miles outside of OC if you’re taking Route 50.  I shopped for groceries there for the most part.

  • Assateague Island National Seashore is about 10 miles from OC.  If you’re staying for more than a day, then be sure to stop by here.  It is well known for wild horses that freely roam the beach.  

  • Salisbury Zoo is about 30 miles west of OC and it features free admission!  If you have little ones, this should make a good day trip


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    Please check out our YouTube channel ‘Wandering Money Pig’ showcasing our travels and our Pomeranian dog! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kl9f4W9sfNG5h1l-x6nHw



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