Ocean City is a resort town located off the coast of Maryland on a barrier island between the Assawoman Bay and Atlantic Ocean. The town’s white sand beach and charming ambiance makes it an ideal destination for a relaxing, low-key East Coast getaway. Stay at an Ocean City vacation rental to be close to the shore and enjoy plenty of swimming and sunning. Here are some great Ocean City activities.
1. Go Swimming
With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Isle of Wight Bay on the other, Ocean City is all about the swimming. Public access to the ocean runs along much of the beach, and if you choose a beachfront vacation rental, you can practically walk out into the water.
2. Play at the Beach
If you don’t want to go swimming, other beach activities include building sand castles, throwing frisbees, or searching for interesting seashells in the morning after high tide. Take the shells back to your vacation rental, and create a craft with the kids to commemorate your trip.
3. Try Crabbing
If you like fishing, try crabbing to enjoy a unique experience. Head over to Northside Park with bait such as chicken necks, as well as a net and string in order to reel the crabs in. The beach also offers great clamming, especially at low tide. Catch your dinner, and head back to your vacation rental to cook it up.
4. Walk Ocean City Boardwalk
Take in some local color when you stroll along the boardwalk, which runs from 2nd to 27th Street. Pick up some souvenirs, or grab some grub. Thrasher’s French Fries offers crispy, deep-fried potato bits, restaurants including Adolfo’s Italian and Grotto Pizza offer lunch and dinner, or get a sweet treat at Candy Kitchen Shoppes.
5. Have Fun at Trimper’s Rides
At the south end of the island off the boardwalk lies Trimper’s Rides, a classic amusement park that’s been here since 1887. Kids can play on the bumper cars, ride a pony (or dragon) on the merry-go-round, or drive in the miniature fire engines or cars. A Ferris wheel, water boat ride, and Wild West train add to the fun.
Find the perfect Ocean City vacation rental on Tripping.com. Tripping.com is the world's #1 vacation rental search engine with over 10 million properties!
6. Explore Frontier Town
Take a day trip to Frontier Town, just a few miles from Ocean City, where you can enjoy the water park with a lazy river and the miniature golf course. Stop by the themed Pony Espresso and Creamy for some ice cream or coffee.
7. Go to Jolly Roger Amusement Park
Older kids who love more intense rides will have fun on Jolly Roger Amusement Park’s role coasters. The park also has a carousel and Ferris wheel for the little kids. Try your hand at some of the carnival games and win the big prize.
8. Fly a Kite
Ocean City’s beach provides plenty of room to fly a kite. Pick up a couple of kites at Kite Loft, which sells single line kites for beginners and power and stunt kites for those with some know-how.
9. Visit Northside Park
Northside Park, on the Assawoman Bay side of Ocean City contains a fishing lagoon, a jogging and walking trail, playgrounds, gymnasium, foot bridge, and soccer and baseball fields. Bring some hamburgers and hot dogs, and grill them at the picnic shelters and gazebo. The indoor kitchen makes it easy to whip up a meal. Relax on the pier, or bring your fishing gear and drop a line.
10. Go Miniature Golfing
Ocean City has nearly half a dozen miniature golf courses, including Embers Island Mini Golf and Lost Treasure Golf, which features two 18-hole courses themed after lost treasure. Nick’s Mini Golf has three locations in Ocean City. Two are dinosaur-themed courses featuring nearly life-sized dinosaurs, and the other is Hawaiian-themed. Other miniature golf courses include Lost Galaxy Golf, Old Pro Golf, Golf Down Under, and Caribbean Pirates Mini Golf.
11. Go Boarding
Try boogie-boarding or stand-up paddleboarding to explore the water in a different way. Rent boards at Action Waterpsorts, Odyssea Watersports, or Back Bay Adventures.
12. Take Surf Lessons
Treat the family to surf lessons at OC Surf Sessions. The shop teaches age 5 and up. Depending on your skill level, you can opt for a single two-hour lesson or get into surfing with a five-day camp.
13. Explore Assateague
Head just south to Assateague Island National Seashore to hike along the shore, kayak, and view the wild ponies that call the island home. The wild horses, descendants from domesticated horses, have lived on the island for generations, roaming through the forested interior and grassland coasts.
14. Skate at the Carousel Rink
Escape the heat at the Carousel Skating Rink. Teach the kids how to balance on ice skates, or catch a skating show at night. Free shows, put on by the Next Ice Age skaters, occur regularly. Take a break at the in-house restaurant.
15. Visit the Life-Saving Station Museum
Sneak a little education into your vacation at the Life-Saving Station Museum. Built in the 1800s and once used by the Coast Guard, the station now holds a collection of historical records and memories. It contains genealogical records, records of shipwrecks and rescues, and exhibits of local history. The kids’ corner boasts a small aquarium, coloring sheets, and a scavenger hunt.
Ready to go? Check out these amazing Ocean City vacation rentals on Tripping.com.