The island is nestled right at the Maryland/Delaware border and it's a place of magic both on and off-season. Make sure the hotel offers an oceanfront view and the glorious sunrises will remain in memory for a lifetime. If sunrise doesn't quite satisfy...
The island is nestled right at the Maryland/Delaware border and it's a place of magic both on and off-season. Make sure the hotel offers an oceanfront view and the glorious sunrises will remain in memory for a lifetime. If sunrise doesn't quite satisfy the need for beauty, head for the other side of the island in the evening and watch sunset over the bay. Spectacular!
The first thing to do when arriving at Ocean City is to make a stop at the visitors center at the Convention Center on 40th Street. You will be able to pick up brochures on the eateries in town, but also local free papers that will list specials and offer coupons.
A trip to the inlet is always a pleasure. It's where the boardwalk starts, but also a cozy little gathering of specialty stores. It is where the bay meets the ocean and quite a grand view.
Most oceanfront hotel rooms offer an efficiency with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, etc. and there are grocery stores in town for stocking up. Oceanfront rooms generally also have a private balcony. The rates are very reasonable in off-season, but cost more or less what can be expected during the summer months.
Now, what is there to do in town besides the beach and boardwalk? To begin with, there is a museum at the inlet. Many miniature golf places are scattered around town. You'll find a movie theater, malls, arcades, and outlets. Outside of town is an amusement park called "Frontier Town" for a flavor of the old west.
Restaurants and fast food places cover the small area that is known as Ocean City. Seafood, pizza, subs, buffets, it can all be found with a very short drive, and of course in season, the boardwalk has many places to eat, as well.
For a more extensive shopping experience, follow Route 1 out of Ocean City for about 20 miles and it will take you directly to the Rehoboth Shopping Outlets in Rehoboth, Delaware. No sales tax in Delaware, either.
Off of Route 50 going into Ocean City, Route 611 goes into Assateague Island, home of the wild ponies. They often walk right along the roadside and a trip here makes a great morning excursion. Many deer and other wildlife also populate the island, so it affords a fabulous photo opportunity.
If you want to get away from Ocean City for a day, go down into Virginia and visit Chincoteague Island. More wild ponies and a beautiful and peaceful area. On the way there, you'll find a NASA visitors center on Wallops Island and will want to stop there and look around.
There is a sense of security for travelers with health problems, or for any medical emergency that might arise in Ocean City. The place is called 75th Street Medical and although needing medical attention is never planned for a vacation, it's good to know it's there and available.
Many things to do are found in Ocean City, but for those who prefer just sitting on the balcony and watching the calming waves of the ocean, there is nothing more perfect.
