Ocean City, MD

Travel Guide
Ocean City Beach featuring surf and a sandy beach as well as a small group of people
A resort town with a sweeping shoreline and plenty of activities for families, this is one of Maryland’s foremost summer destinations.

Ocean City, Maryland, is one of the most popular resort towns in the area. It has a busy boardwalk, an eight mile (13 kilometer) long beach and a wide range of family activities, including amusement parks and an ice-skating rink.

Wander along the three-mile (4.8-kilometer) boardwalk and take in the view. Visit one of the amusement parks for a roller coaster ride, water slides and a range of games and shops.

Car lovers will want to explore Wheels of Yesterday, a classic car museum that is home to vintage cars such as a shiny gold 1960 Studebaker Hawk. For a different kind of museum experience, head over to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and be wowed by all kinds of unusual exhibits. Not far from this “odditorium,” you can take a dizzying look through Ripley’s Mirror Maze. At Carousel Resort, there’s an ice-skating rink open to the public year-round.

Once you’ve finished with all the activities on the boardwalk, head to the beach, which is well maintained and patrolled by lifeguards. Beach tags are required during summer for children aged 12 and over and can be purchased from beach-tag inspectors.

Stroll along the beach and watch the waves roll in. If you get hungry or want to pick up a souvenir, duck into one of the many shops and restaurants along the way. For something a little more adventurous, organize surfing lessons or go scuba diving. Fishing enthusiasts can jump aboard a charter boat and try their luck. Ocean City is known for its excellent marlin, tuna and wahoo fishing.

Learn about some of the local history at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, located at the south end of the boardwalk. This museum has exhibits on storms, sea life and life-saving, and displays old-style equipment used to rescue people from shipwrecks.

Ocean City has much to offer, from clean beaches to lots of arcade fun.

Where to stay in Ocean City

North Ocean City featuring swimming, a beach and general coastal views

North Ocean City

North Ocean City is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Ocean City Beach and Carousel Ice Skating Rink.

North Ocean City
Assateague Island National Seashore showing a park and a coastal town

Downtown Ocean City

If you're spending some time in Downtown Ocean City, Ocean City Beach and Ripley's Believe It or Not! are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Ocean City
Jolly Roger Amusement Park

Midtown Ocean City

4.5/5(1,515 area reviews)

Midtown Ocean City is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Ocean City Beach and Seacrets Distilling Company.

Midtown Ocean City
West Ocean City

West Ocean City

4.5/5(891 area reviews)

Discover fishing charters, boating, and marinas in this census-designated area, located across the Sinepuxent Bay from Ocean City. Shop at Outlets Ocean City and easily access the beach resort town via the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge.

West Ocean City
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Sunset Island

While there might not be top attractions in Sunset Island, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Seacrets Distilling Company and Seacrets.

Sunset Island
Mini golf. No Ocean City trip is complete without it. This place is fun with its pseudo-Indiana Jones treasure-hunting theme. We did the Diamond course. Definitely recommended!

Caine Woods

While Caine Woods isn't home to many top sights, Maryland Beach and Northside Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Caine Woods
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
3 out of 5
2100 N Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD
The price is $249 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
$249
$291 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 28 - Jul 29
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the comfy rooms and the overall value in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,188 reviews)
"Staff was great"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2024

Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
3 out of 5
Oceanfront on 91st Street, Ocean City, MD
The price is $246 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
$246
$285 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 25 - Aug 26
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the overall value in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,838 reviews)
"I can’t express how much we loved our stay at this hotel. We lucked out and stayed in a 2 bedroom condo which has been recently upgraded. Everything was beautiful and clean. I definitely will be returning."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024

Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
Fenwick Inn
Fenwick Inn
2 out of 5
13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD
The price is $116 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
$116
$139 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 26 - Aug 27
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,742 reviews)
"Was quite and safe"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2024

Fenwick Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Majestic Hotel & Apartments
Majestic Hotel & Apartments
3 out of 5
7th St & Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
6.2/10 (111 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024

Majestic Hotel & Apartments
Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City a Ramada by Wyndham
Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City a Ramada by Wyndham
3 out of 5
200 59th Street on the Bay, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,193 reviews)
"Had a great stay with the family! Bay views from the balcony in our suite were spectacular. Clean room with a fully functional kitchen. Several nice restaurants and bars in walking distance. Pool and hot tub area were clean and a great place to relax. Will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024

Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City a Ramada by Wyndham
Beautiful suite between bay & beach w/ access to pool, private W/D, & central AC
Beautiful suite between bay & beach w/ access to pool, private W/D, & central AC
Ocean City
Stay at this condo in Ocean City. Enjoy a water park, balconies, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City Beach ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
Great place except for 1 thing...
"Really enjoyed our stay. Having the deck overlooking the bay was our favorite and definitely worth staying here again. I would have gave this place 5 stars across the board except for one thing. When we arrived i noticed light brown globules on the shower seat and realized it was shampoo or body ..."

Reviewed on Jun 7, 2024

Beautiful suite between bay & beach w/ access to pool, private W/D, & central AC
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Ocean City

Public transit in Ocean City is provided by Ocean City Transportation, which offers various services for getting around the city. The Beach Bus travels along the coastal highway for the whole length of the city, and the Boardwalk Tram is a fleet of trackless trains which run up and down the boardwalk. The ADA Para Transit is a fleet of buses offering door-to-door services for disabled residents and visitors. Visit the Ocean City Transportation website.Browse Ocean City rental cars.

Best time to visit

The best and most popular time to visit Ocean City is during the summer months from May to September. During this time, temperatures reach an average high in the mid 80s F (late 20s C) and the place bustles with visiting vacationers. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are not as warm, but can be cheaper. During the winter many hotels and restaurants close and the city can be very quiet.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Ocean City