Ocean City Maryland
- Major Airports:
- Baltimore-Washington (BWI)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- States:
- Maryland
The quintessential American beach town
About That Beach
Picking a prime spot on this beach is easy; it’s wide and long. It’s also one of the cleanest beaches in the USA, with a five-star water quality rating. Walkways across the sand bring you close to the water, whether you’re on the south end (a lively scene) or the north end (a more serene spot). Ride a personal watercraft, kayak or boat across the waves; there’s no shortage of ways to have fun in the water. On land, fly a kite, play beach volleyball or even horseback ride across the sand.
A Bustling Boardwalk
Built in 1902, this is one of the most celebrated boardwalks in the USA, and you’ll see why as soon as step upon it. Lined with restaurants, ice cream shops and souvenir stores, the boardwalk is also home to an arcade, a Ferris wheel and Trimper’s Rides, a mini-amusement park with one of the oldest carousels around. At the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, learn about the organization that came before the Coast Guard. This is the perfect spot to watch fireworks over the Atlantic, so pick up some Thrasher’s French fries and find yourself a bench.
Recreational Pursuits
Dive a sailboat wreck. Navigate a go-kart. Fish the pier, play tennis or skate down the boardwalk. You can be as active as you want here, or take it all in stride on a water sightseeing tour, where you’ll learn about the environment and get a history lesson, too. For inland sports, head to Northside Park, a public sports arena, or to Ocean Bowl Skatepark. From paddle boarding to paintball, you can be on the move here, unless you want to slow down. In that case, visit Ocean City’s Center for the Arts to see an exhibit or go to the Performing Arts Center for a show.
Fun Fact
Ocean City hosts 8 million visitors annually.