Ocean City, MD

Travel Guide

Ocean City
Ocean City
Ocean City
Ocean City
Ocean City

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

North Ocean City

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

North Ocean City
Downtown Ocean City

Downtown Ocean City

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

Downtown Ocean City
Midtown Ocean City

Midtown Ocean City

4.5/5(1,528 area reviews)

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

Midtown Ocean City
West Ocean City

West Ocean City

4.5/5(902 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
City by the bay

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
Caine Woods

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
$74 nightly
The price is $82 total per night from Apr 15 to Apr 16
$82 total
Apr 15 - Apr 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,514 reviews)
Clean room and helpful staff

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026

Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort

Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort

3 out of 5
Oceanfront on 91st Street Ocean City MD
$124 nightly
The price is $137 total per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
$137 total
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,392 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026

Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
Fenwick Inn

Fenwick Inn

3 out of 5
13801 Coastal Highway Ocean City MD
$82 nightly
The price is $92 total per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
$92 total
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,042 reviews)
Close to beach there's a restaurant on the 8th floor. If you have a pet room they will not provide housekeeping breakfast a little crazy

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2026

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.
Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City, Ascend Collection Hotel

Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City, Ascend Collection Hotel

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! (1,305 reviews)
The room was dirty

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2026

Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City, Ascend Collection Hotel
Ocean Terrace Family Apartments

Ocean Terrace Family Apartments

3 out of 5
1211 Baltimore Avenue Ocean City MD
Stay at this apartment in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Ocean City Boardwalk and Jolly Roger Amusement ...
8/10 Very Good! (31 reviews)
Nice staff. Large rooms. Close to all things Ocean city has to offer!

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Ocean Terrace Family Apartments
Monte Carlo Condos

Monte Carlo Condos

3 out of 5
1107 N. Baltimore Ave. Ocean City MD
Book a stay at this business-friendly condo in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean ...
6.8/10 (60 reviews)
Unexpected pet fee on top of resort fees we did expect. Nice and close to boardwalk. Room was quiet, private, spacious.

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2026

Monte Carlo Condos
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 TransportationOpens in a new window 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.

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