Ocean City, MD

Travel Guide
Ocean City Beach featuring a beach and waves 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 Jolly Roger at the Pier 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 Ocean Plaza Mall Shopping Center.

Sunset Island
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Montego Bay

5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Montego Bay, Northside Park and Assawoman Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Montego Bay
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
3 out of 5
2100 N Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD
The price is $119 per night from May 30 to May 31
$119
$147 total
includes taxes & fees
May 30 - May 31
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,020 reviews)
"Easy parking"

Reviewed on May 27, 2024

Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Fenwick Inn
Fenwick Inn
2 out of 5
13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD
The price is $89 per night from Jun 5 to Jun 6
$89
$109 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 5 - Jun 6
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 helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,754 reviews)
"OCMD is an annual stop for our family, my first stay at the Fenwick Inn. The rooms were spacious and clean, available microwave on each floor with ice machine. Indoor pool convenient and spacious. The front desk staff were friendly, courteous and professional. My spouse and I found our new stay location. ..."

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Fenwick Inn
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
3 out of 5
Oceanfront on 91st Street, Ocean City, MD
The price is $125 per night from May 30 to May 31
$125
$151 total
includes taxes & fees
May 30 - May 31
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,755 reviews)
"The updates to the property were very stylish. A broom should be in all room as the floors are susceptible to crumbs. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Maintenance came to the room to assist with water and working the stove. Will visit again in the near future."

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
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 and the clean rooms ...
6.2/10 (68 reviews)
"We stayed in one of the majestic apartments. I liked how it was an apartment, but it wasn't like dealing with a rental company. It was dealing with a hotel company. It was very simple and easy to get set up. We were lucky enough to get one of the apartments that was detached a block away. So it was ..."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

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, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,177 reviews)
"Staff was extremely kind and helpful. We will look to stay here during the season and will stay here again for cheerleading competition in the future"

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

Coconut Malorie Resort Ocean City a Ramada by Wyndham
Safari Apartments
Safari Apartments
3 out of 5
1208 Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"I stayed there for vacation with my two young children and I had to upgrade my room to a bigger room with a small kitchen. Although it was a little more expensive it was worth it because you have a full refrigerator and a place to eat. We really enjoyed the hospitality of the property manager. We ..."

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2023

Safari Apartments
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

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Ocean City

Cities near Ocean City