Ocean City Maryland: Your Vacation Guide to Maryland’s Premier Beach Destination
Ocean City, Maryland, serves as the East Coast’s top beach spot for family vacations, with its sand, shoreline, and array of attractions. This resort town blends history from its fishing village roots with modern amenities along the Atlantic coast.
Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, it’s easily accessible from Baltimore (3 hours), Washington D.C. (3.5 hours), Philadelphia (2.5-3 hours), and New York City (4.5 hours). Ocean City offers activities like parasailing, boardwalk strolls, and beach relaxation, creating an authentic coastal experience.
Over the last few years, Ocean City has had over 8 MILLION annual visitors. That’s nothing to take lightly, and to us, it means our town is a premier beach vacation destination.
Planning Your Ocean City Adventure
When you take a trip to Ocean City, the most important thing is that you enjoy the time with your family & friends… which is exactly why we created this guide!
Today, we’ll provide you with insider tips to maximize your trip to Ocean City’s beaches, iconic boardwalk, and events. But before we dive in, we’re going to give you the best tip of them all….
When you take a trip to OC, make sure you stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Vacation rentals are traditionally condos, townhomes, or single-family homes, which allows your whole group to stay together for your entire trip. Plus- they have a kitchen! While that may not sound like a big deal, you can save a LOT of money on your vacation by not having to eat out every meal.
When to Visit Ocean City
Peak Season (June–August): Temperatures in the 80s, full attractions, higher accommodation rates, and crowds.
Shoulder Seasons (April–May, September–October): Milder weather, fewer crowds, lower rates, ideal for quieter experiences. Some attractions have limited hours or are closed for the off season.
Annual Event Highlights: Ocean City hosts exciting events year-round. Here are some popular ones:
- Springfest (April, Inlet Parking Lot): Arts, crafts, live music, and food vendors.
- Cruisin’ Ocean City (May, Convention Center & Boardwalk): Showcase of classic cars and hot rods.
- OC Air Show (June, Ocean City Beach & Boardwalk): Jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers by military and stunt pilots.
- White Marlin Open (August, Harbour Island Marina): World’s largest billfish tournament with big prizes.
- Jeep Fest (August, Throughout OC): Beach crawls, obstacle courses, and group rides for Jeep enthusiasts.
- Wine Fest (September, Inlet Parking Lot): Tastings from local wineries and breweries with live music.
- OC Bike Week (September, Convention Center & Throughout OC): Motorcycle rallies, vendor booths, and concerts.
- Oceans Calling Festival (September, Ocean City Inlet): Multi-stage music festival with major artists.
- Country Calling Festival (October, OC Inlet): Similar to Oceans Calling… but country!
- Endless Summer Cruisin’ (October, Convention Center & Boardwalk): Fall edition of the classic car show.
- Sunfest (October, Inlet Parking Lot): Arts & crafts festival with shopping, music, and food.
To view a full list of upcoming 2025 events & some of the other events that happened earlier this year, check out this 2025 Ocean City MD event guide!
Getting to and Around Ocean City
Drive for convenience with beach gear or fly into Salisbury Regional Airport (45 minutes away). In town, use the beach bus, rent bikes/scooters, walk the boardwalk, or ride-share.
Practical Tips: Book accommodations 6–8 weeks ahead for summer or enjoy shoulder season savings. Purchase event tickets in advance online to avoid sell-outs.
Where to Stay: Ocean City’s Three Areas
Ocean City divides into distinct zones that all have their own unique feel. We know these may not be the traditional OC area breakdowns, but they serve the purpose of this blog.
Boardwalk (Inlet to 27th Street):
The boardwalk is the place to be if you have a younger family. with amusement parks like Jolly Roger at the Pier and Trimper Rides, ice cream shops such as Kohr Bros, Arcade’s like Marty’s Playland, the OC lifesaving station museum, and tons more!
Book an OC vacation rental near the boardwalk here!
“Midtown” (27th to 93rd Street):
Midtown OC has a balanced vibe with quieter beaches and a convenient location right off of the Rt. 90 bridge on 62nd Street.
Midtown is home to some of the best nightlife spots in OC at Seacrets and Fager’s Island, & the dining is scrumptious at The Hobbit and Longboard Café.
If you’re looking for a luxury vacation to OC, check out the Gateway Grand– which provides resort-style stays.
Book a rental from 29th to 66th Street here!
Book a rental from 67th to 93rd Street here!
“North” Ocean City (94th to 146th Street):
“High-rise Row” rests from 94th to 118th Street and features buildings like the Golden Sands & Sea Watch feature TONS of amenities sure to make your vacation a blast.
If you’re looking for a quieter local feel, look for rentals between 119th and 146th Street. Northside Park rests in this area & offers recreation & hosts events such as Sundaes in the Park. North OC features restaurants like Tailchasers, Devito’s Deli, and a TON of other quality restaurants.
Here at Central Reservations, we have a diverse range of rentals from high-rises to cottages- so we’re confident we have an Ocean City vacation rental that suits your needs.
Check out this blog for a more in depth guide of each beach area in Ocean City!
Family Dining in Ocean City
Ocean City offers diverse restaurants for family meals, from casual spots to boardwalk classics.
Top 5 Family Restaurants
- Bad Monkey: Two locations (West OC, Midtown) with monkey bread, burgers, fish tacos, and kid menus.
- Barn 34: All-day breakfast on 34th Street with omelets, pancakes, and dietary options.
- Ropewalk: Everything from Seafood to yummy handhelds served with a bay view.
- Bayside Skillet: Kid-friendly breakfast and brunch.
- De Lazy Lizard: Casual family restaurant in Downtown OC with a playground for kids!
Boardwalk Traditions: Try Thrasher’s French Fries (Since 1929) and Kohr Bros ice cream.
Tips: Make reservations in peak season, opt for early bird specials, and get some boardwalk takeout for a beach picnic!
Special Occasion Dining
For upscale celebrations, these Ocean City restaurants provide elegant options.
Top 5 Special Occasion Restaurants
- Liquid Assets Wine Bar & Bistro: Extensive drink menu and delicious innovative dishes.
- Spain Wine Bar: Intimate Spanish-inspired fare downtown (with STUNNING views).
- The Hobbit: OCMD Classic with Bay Views
- Sello’s: Delicious Italian food in West OC. The drive is worth it!
- Oysters & Scales: Premium seafood with fresh catches.
Tips: Book reservations; request waterfront views. Dress “smart casual.”
Beyond the Beach: More Attractions
Cultural Experiences: Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum highlights maritime history with exhibits.
Water Adventures: Jet ski, parasail, fish charters, or bay tours.
Day Trips: See wild ponies on Assateague Island; visit Berlin for shops and restaurants.
These options round out your itinerary beyond beaches, especially with the event-packed schedule.
Practical Tips for Visitors
Beach Safety: Use lifeguarded areas, always watch your kids.
Money-Saving: Enjoy OC’s free beach access; book direct & save up to 11%; cook at home.
Getting Around: Beach bus, morning cycling, walking.
Weather Prep: Indoor arcades, movie theatres, and indoor mini golf for rainy days; pack sunscreen and jackets.
Making Ocean City Memories
Ocean City delivers a premier beach experience with its areas offering boardwalk thrills, nightlife, and relaxation. Whether for amusement parks, beaches, or family bonding, plan early for best accommodations and attractions. If you have a question about any of our Ocean City, MD vacation rentals, reach out today!
Bonus: Thinking About a Beach Home?
If being in OC makes you fall in love with our beach-town and you want to consider purchasing your own place at the beach, check out the Fritschle Barker Group’s YouTube Channel—Grant and Jon are ‘THE’ Real Estate experts in Ocean City, MD and can help you find your dream home, condo, or townhome in OC!
Stay Connected with Central Reservations
Check out some of our other blogs for Ocean City vacation tips on places to stay, things to do, and great spots to eat!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Vacationing in Ocean City
Book your stay: www.centraloc.com
Call us: (410) 723-4111.
Email: info@centraloc.com
BOOK NOW
We can’t wait to see you in Ocean City, MD, for an awesome Labor Day weekend!
See you at the beach soon!
—
Central Reservations
Ocean City’s Vacation Rental Leaders
Qualifying Criteria:
This content was created by Central Reservations, Ocean City’s most trusted vacation rental company, with decades of experience managing hundreds of vacation properties across the beach, Boardwalk, and beyond. All recommendations in this blog are based on first-hand experience, authentic guest feedback, and local knowledge from our Ocean City-based team.
To ensure accuracy, we sourced information not based on first-hand knowledge and images from official and authoritative websites, including:
- ococean.com– Official tourism site for Ocean City, MD. Sourced information such as event details
- grantf.com – Ocean City MD Real Estate Experts
- canva.com – Source for Stock Images and Image Editing
- ropewalk.com – Family Restaurant in Ocean City MD
All other details were sourced from first-hand experience and personal preference. Links to all activities, events, and restaurants were provided throughout the blog.
This blog is part of our ongoing commitment to helping guests make the most of their Ocean City vacation, offering curated, accurate, and experience-based guidance for every season—especially the off-season.
For more information about where to stay, what to do, or how to plan your visit, contact our local team anytime at centraloc.com.