If you’re dreaming of a vacation to the beach, Ocean City, Maryland, is a fun town with miles of gorgeous beach that’s great for couples and families alike. Along with shopping, great food, amusement parks, miniature golf, go cart tracks and exciting night life, there’s plenty to keep families and couples entertained all day and into the evenings in Ocean City, Maryland. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a trip there.
Try not to arrive on a Friday or Saturday
With everyone wanting to go to the beach on the weekend and a limited number of highways leading in to Ocean City, traffic can slow to an absolute crawl, putting a real damper on the fun. If possible, try to drive into Ocean City anytime Sunday through Thursday, to encounter less traffic. There will also be much less traffic to deal with in Ocean City itself.
Booking a hotel
If travellers can wait until the last weekend in August to book a trip to Ocean City, hotel prices drop a bit, as the peak tourist season is from June through August. And once again, avoid those weekend dates to take advantage of lower hotel prices during the week. Stay at a hotel that’s not right on the beach and it may be possible to find rooms for less than $100 per night. Beachfront hotel rooms generally cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 and $500 per night for two adults and two children.
Be sure to bring those beach necessities
For a fun afternoon at the beach, be sure to not forget swimsuits, towels, high SPF sunscreen and a beach umbrella, which gives a bit of respite from the hot summer sun and sand. Beach umbrellas and beach chairs can be rented for just a few dollars from many of the oceanfront hotels or from stands on the public beaches. For those who forget a swimsuit or a towel, there are several stores in Ocean City where these items can be purchased for a very reasonable price. Bring along or purchase a body board or boogie board for the kids to ride the waves, and don’t forget a small shovel and pail for playing in the sand and collecting sea shells.
Ocean City boardwalk fun
A trip to Ocean City, Maryland, just isn’t complete without a visit to the city’s famous boardwalk. There’s block after block of shopping, fun food and game arcades. For those who are feeling adventurous, there’s even an amusement park. Jolly Rogers at the pier features a giant Ferris wheel, a looping roller coaster and the Slingshot, which takes its riders for a wild ride in the sky.
Buffet dining in Ocean City
Perhaps the most economical and enjoyable aspect of dining out in Ocean City is one of the city’s myriad of buffets, just a few of which are listed here. There are all types of cuisine to choose from, including:
• American—Bonfire Restaurant, Embers Restaurant, Hall's Restaurant
• Asian—Panda Zhu China Butffet, Inc.
• Seafood—Phillips Crab House, Philips Seafood House, Bonfire Restaurant, Embers Restaurant, Hall's Restaurant and Panda Zhu China Buffet, Inc.
• Italian—Hall's Restaurant, Embers Restaurant
• Breakfast—Halls Restaurant; Princess Royale Hotel and Condominium; Horizons Oceanfront restaurant in the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel.
With a bit of planning, a trip to Ocean City, Maryland can be a fun experience that the whole family will remember for many years.
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