If you’re looking for places and things to do in Ocean City, you’ve landed in the right spot. With excellent eats, family-friendly attractions, lively nightlife, and the sandy beaches of Ocean City’s Atlantic Ocean, Ocean City welcomes families, couples, groups, and solo travelers. Whether you’re in the East Coast town for business or leisure, you’re likely to find something to suit the whole family’s interests.
What is Ocean City known for?
Along with its iconic wooden boardwalk (and the saltwater taffy that goes along with it), Ocean City has been deemed the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Isle of Wight Bay to the west, Ocean City is a prime destination for all sorts of kayaking, canoeing, nature viewing, and watersports.
Other Ocean City things to do include amusement parks, tourist attractions, shopping, mini golf, and full-size golf. There are also a variety of festivals and annual events, such as the Ocean City Air Show, Bike Fest, Restaurant Week, Jeep Week, and Winterfest of Lights.
This illustrious title was first given by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 after a successful day of fishing. But, it’s apparently true. The White Marlin Open, a deep-sea fishing tournament, is held annually.
It was first held in 1974 and has only gotten bigger. The 2021 tournament paid out more than $9.2 million in prize money. So, get those rods and reels ready!
Start your own Ocean City tradition (whether winning millions of dollars or not) by adding a few (or all) of our suggestions for top things to do in Ocean City to your vacation itinerary.
Discover the best of Ocean City's food scene with this guided walking tour. Stroll along the inlet and boardwalk while sampling some of the best local dishes, from seafood to sweets. Meet restaurant owners and chefs to learn more about the local food scene, and snap some photos of the picturesque inlet overlooking Assateague Island. This is the perfect way to experience Ocean City's famous restaurant and bar scene!
This is the perfect tour for foodies and travelers who want to experience the best of what Ocean City has to offer. On this tour, you'll board a boat and cruise to 3 different restaurants for tastings, cocktails, and dessert. You'll get to sit back and relax between stops, taking in the stunning coastal scenery. And of course, you'll get to taste some delicious local flavors - including refreshing cocktails. This is the perfect way to learn about Ocean City's history and waterfront, while enjoying some of the best food and drink the city has to offer.
Looking for a unique and fun way to spend your happy hour in Ocean City? Look no further than the OC Classic Happy Hour Cruise! This two-hour tour aboard the Bay Hopper will take you to some of the best sites in OC, all while you enjoy a few cold cocktails with your friends. Your captain will show you around the OC commercial fishing harbor, the northern end of Assateague Island, and Sunset Marina, pointing out amazing waterfront homes and yachts along the way. You might even spot some wild ponies or dolphins! If you're looking for a fun and unique way to spend your time inOcean City, this is it!
TL;DR
- Most significant landmark – Ocean City Boardwalk
- Best park – Northside Park
- Best free activity – Ocean City Boardwalk
- Best activity for kids – Trimper Rides
- Best activity for adults – Seacrets Distilling Company
- Best food – Fager’s Island
- Best nightlife – Seacrets Jamaica USA
- Best all-around accommodation – Carousel Oceanfront Hotel and Condos
Fun and Best Things to Do in Ocean City, Maryland
1. Ocean City Life Saving Museum
Address: 813 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
Built-in 1891, the former Ocean City Life Saving Station is home to exhibits on the history of Ocean City’s life-saving service. The Ocean City Life Saving Station was originally on Caroline Street. The Ocean City Life Saving Station moved to its current location at the inlet near Trimper’s Rides in 1977 and is one of the best things to see in Ocean City.
Peruse displays on shipwrecks, vintage boardwalk photos, captain’s logbooks, and surf culture as well as Ocean City’s development and sand from around the world at the Ocean City Life Saving Station.
The station also has an aquarium room where you can visit the bay and ocean wildlife such as seahorses, eels, horseshoe crabs, and Maryland blue crabs.
See Related: Best Museums in the US You Need to Visit
2. Art League of Ocean City
Address: 502 94th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842
The Art League of Ocean City is an excellent place to check out the local Ocean City art scene. The two-story structure sits on the bayside and features spacious studios, art classrooms, and galleries.
Visit rotating exhibits of local and regional artwork or take workshops, camps, and classes on knitting, watercolors, and clay forming in the pottery studio. Classes at the art league are available for kids and adults.
Art League special events include film festivals, visual arts, home tours, and local musicians.
Check out the Felber Gift Shop for hand-made jewelry, original paintings, gift cards, and sculptures by local and regional artists.
3. Ocean City Boardwalk
Address: 698 N Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
The Ocean City Boardwalk is three miles of fun and more fun for the whole family. It runs from the Ocean City Inlet in the south to 32nd Street in the north (where it becomes Atlantic Ave.). It’s the site of the iconic Ocean City Maryland Ferris wheel.
Along the way, enjoy midway games, attractions, family-friendly amusement parks, lively entertainment, souvenir shops, mini golf courses, and more cotton candy, hot dogs, and funnel cakes than you can stuff in your face.
Boardwalk restaurants range from pizzerias, pubs, and bars to fine dining and Maryland-style seafood with waterfront views. Just a few eateries include Hammerheads Bar and Grill, Victorian Room Restaurant, PGN Crab House, Grotto Pizza, Shenanigan’s Irish Pub, and many more.
Of course, you can also walk, skate, or pedal up and down the boardwalk. It’s a terrific spot to sit back and watch the waves and gorgeous beach if you’re not feeling up to riding waves.
The Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront is conveniently located right on the boardwalk and just a few steps from the sand. It has an on-site restaurant, an outdoor pool with a lazy river and water slides, a game room, an indoor pool, and a game room.
The adult pool has a sun deck and a pool bar with swim-up seating. Suites have a fully equipped kitchen, extra seating, living space, and free Wi-fi.
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4. Ocean Gallery
Address: 201 N. Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD 21842
The Ocean Gallery is one of those Ocean City, Maryland attractions that has to be seen. You actually can’t miss it if you’re on the boardwalk. This one-of-a-kind art museum has been a boardwalk staple for 50 years. It has even been honored by the state of Maryland as one of the unique boardwalk attractions.
Just a few facts. It’s the only recycled building in Ocean City, Maryland. It has its own Batmobile decorated with hairdryers, a keyboard, and other household items. The building is three stories tall and features framed art and posters from all over. Stop in, peruse the various works and art, and maybe buy yourself something. You might see owner Joe Kro-Art. He’ll be the one wearing the red bow tie.
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5. Flashback Old Time Photo
Address: 19-B Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD 21842
What’s a trip to the resort town of Ocean City, Maryland without a souvenir photo? Nothing, that’s what! If there’s one thing every family or group has to do, it’s pose for an antique-themed photo dressed in historic garb and holding fun props.
Dress up as a Civil War general, a pirate, a Victorian lady, a hillbilly, a gangster, or a flapper (and just about anyone else you can think of) and pose for a pic to remember. This photo will be the hit of your Insta feed or desktop photo frame.
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6. Ocean City Foodie Tour
Address: 11703 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Gather your crew and spend the day traveling to waterfront restaurants on a food boat tour. Hop aboard the OC Bay Hopper and visit spots such as Fager’s Island, Frog Bar, Hoopers, the 45th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille, and your guide’s home on Gillis’s Island. Learn local history while tasting and sampling delicious local fare.
Food tours are a great way to get a look at (and taste of) the culture and cuisine of an area. This tops our list of best things to do in Ocean City for food, architecture, and history enthusiasts.
The Comfort Inn Gold Coast, located nearby, has an indoor heated pool, a convenience store, meeting rooms, and a fitness center. It’s about two blocks from the beach on the bay side.
Guest rooms offer a mini-fridge, a microwave, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and extra seating.
7. Splash Mountain Water Park
Address: 2901 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842
Located near the sandy beaches at the north end of the boardwalk, around 31st Street, Splash Mountain Water Park is an excellent way to cool off. Located in the Jolly Roger Amusement Park (at 30th Street), it offers 16 water slides and attractions, including a water coaster, a lazy river, a half-pipe slide, kiddie pools, and thrill slides. Bring the whole crew!
The Jolly Roger Amusement Park has thrill rides and rides like teacups, a carousel, bumper cars, and the Iron Horse Express, a 1952 antique train.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ocean City provides quick access to Splash Mountain, the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, the convention center, coastal bays, and the Ocean City beach scene. It has a fitness center, an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary breakfast.
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8. Lost Treasure Golf Course
Address: 13903 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842
Lost Treasure Golf is one of the best family-friendly miniature golf courses in the Ocean City beach area. Two 18-hole courses offer a treasure-hunt-themed game of golf. Caves, mountains, and waterfalls make this a fun activity while visiting Ocean City.
The Lost Treasure mini golf course is adjacent to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park so you can make a whole day of it.
The Fenwick Inn offers comfortable and convenient accommodations near the Lost Treasure mini-course and Fenwick Island. The hotel has an indoor pool, a kids’ water play area, a business center, and laundry facilities.
Spacious rooms are decorated in crisp white with pops of color and offer a mini fridge, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, storage space, and extra seating.
9. Jolly Roger at the Pier
Address: 401 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
Don’t let the names confuse you. This Jolly Roger amusement park is at the boardwalk’s southern end near Atlantic Ave. (there’s a Jolly Roger Amusement Park at 30th Street, mentioned above) on Atlantic Ave. It’s been a symbol of Ocean City since 1964.
There’s a Ferris wheel, a slingshot ride, a roller coaster, a looping wheel, and games and entertainment at Jolly Roger at the Pier. Kids of all ages love this iconic venue in Ocean City.
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10. Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Address: 401 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
For a peek at two-headed animals, the world’s rarest egg, rare animal skeletons, and oddities from South America, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! has all of that and more.
While at this unique tourist destination, don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze. It’s a separate admission price, but who doesn’t love a bunch of confusing mirrors?
Ripley’s Ocean City is located at the south end of the boardwalk near the Oceanic Fishing Pier, the Ocean City Fishing Pier, and Jolly Roger at the Pier. The building with the shark sticking out of it? That’s it!
Speaking of piers, the Oceanic Fishing Pier is one of the best piers for fishing. You’ll find bait shops, fishing pole rentals, and excellent sunset viewing at the Oceanic Fishing Pier.
Searching for a hotel near the oddities of Ripley’s and the Ocean City Fishing Pier? The historic Atlantic Hotel is just steps away from the boardwalk. Originally built in 1875, it was one of the grand hotels that helped shape the hospitality industry in Ocean City.
Guest rooms are available for families of all sizes. Apartments with kitchens and dining areas are available for up to eight guests. The hotel offers a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, private parking, a lounge, and a garden.
11. Trimper’s Haunted House
Address: 720 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
Filled with vintage nostalgia and spooky décor, the Bill Tracy Haunted House at Trimper was built in 1964. The dark ride is one of those seaside things you just gotta do. It’s one of the last remaining attractions designed by ride designer Bill Tracy.
Granville Trimper wanted a ride like those at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Maryland. Bill Tracy, of Outdoor Dimensional Display Co., was the top ride developer at the time and designed the haunted displays throughout. He also designed the Pirates Cove ride at Trimper’s Rides.
Riders sit in coffin-inspired cars that roll along a track through a haunted house. Scenes along the way include creepy clowns, spinning skeletons, long dark hallways, zombie outbreaks, and other spooky sights. The attraction was expanded in 1988 to include a second floor.
The house is part of Trimper’s Rides, which has been open since 1893. It’s one of the top things to do in the Ocean City beach area.
Experience that old-time nostalgia as you enjoy classic rides like a carousel, bumper cars, and fun slides. You can also walk through a mirror maze and play arcade games at Trimper’s Rides.
About a block off the beach, the Hotel Monte Carlo Ocean City is within walking distance of the boardwalk and Trimper’s Rides. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, a rooftop pool with a terrace, a hot tub, and a bar.
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12. Carousel Ice Skating Rink
Address: 11700 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842
Ice skating in the middle of the summer? Sure! The rink is located in Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos at 117th Street. Rent skates or bring your own. Carousel Hotel guests get a discount on ice skating. There’s also a game room for when your legs need a break from all the skating.
If you’re looking for a cool place (pun intended) to hold a birthday party or other fun event, this is a great place to book. Ice skating shows, performed by the Next Age Ice Skaters, are held nightly in June through August. Shows are free and provide entertainment for the whole family.
Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums, located on the beachfront, has a fitness center, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, a lounge, a bounce house, a hot tub, and a game room (in addition to that cool ice-skating rink). Guest rooms feature a microwave and free Wi-Fi,
13. Seacrets Jamaica USA
Address: 117 49th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842
One of the best places to visit in Ocean City, Seacrets Jamaica USA is a waterfront venue on Isle of Wight Bay. You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled to a Caribbean island what with the tropical décor, creative cocktails, and sand-covered floor.
Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining and a wide array of entertainment, including several dance floors, live music, a tiki stage, a beach stage, and a nightclub. The menu offers sandwiches, wraps, pizza, crab cakes, and other seafood selections.
Located next door (at 111 49th Street), Seacrets Distilling Company makes the award-winning Seacrets Spirits. Choose from a wide variety of rums: spiced, vanilla, and coconut as well as flavored vodkas (lemon drop, ruby red grapefruit, and orange). You can also try traditional bourbon and American whiskey at Seacrets Distilling Company.
Take a tour to learn about the distilling process and visit the Speakeasy Tasting Room at Seacrets Distilling Company. A speakeasy, you say? Yes, please.
Aloft Ocean City is conveniently located near Seacrets and the Ocean City Convention Center on Isle of Wight Bay. Sleek and colorful, the hotel offers a sun terrace, a bar, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor fireplace, evening entertainment, and free bike use.
With 214,000 square feet of space, the Roland E. Powell Convention Center features a full schedule of performing arts, trade shows, events, banquets, art shows, community events, and sporting events. The city’s annual Comic Con is held there.
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14. Go Golfing
Address: 12367 Eagles Nest Rd, Berlin, MD 21811
If you can tear yourself away from the beach and boardwalk scene, there are a wide array of places to tee off in the Ocean City area. A few to choose from include Eagle’s Landing, the Links at Lighthouse Sound, Bayside Resort Golf Club, and the Ocean City Golf Club.
Open since 1959, Ocean City Golf Club offers two championship golf courses in unique settings. The Newport Bay Course has 18 holes on a marsh and bay setting with a challenging layout. The Seaside Course has a classic layout with wide-open fairways for all experience levels.
Eagle’s Landing is a premier course in Ocean City. Practice your swing on pristine greens overlooking Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague National Seashore.
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15. Historic Walking and Food Tour
Address: 2 S Main St, Berlin, MD 21811
Spend a fun and delicious time on a walking and tasting tour in Berlin, Maryland. Located about eight miles from Ocean City, you’ll join a fun and informative guide for a walk along a charming and historic section of Main Street.
The tour lasts approximately three hours. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the small-town feel, taste regional fare, converse with local chefs, and see film sites from the 1999 movie Runaway Bride (starring the always delightful Julia Roberts and Richard Gere).
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16. Assateague Island National Seashore
Address: 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811
Assateague Island National Seashore is one of the best things to do in Ocean City for outdoor enthusiasts. This protected barrier island along the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia offers beautiful beaches, marshes, dunes, and forests.
While you’re at Assateague Island National Seashore, spend the day relaxing on the beach, take kayak and boat tours, or hike along nature trails to see the area’s famous wild horses.
Camping is available on Assateague Island. Oceanside and bayside sites are available for tents and RVs (but there aren’t any power or water hook-ups). Assateague State Park does have limited RV sites with power hook-ups (we can only assume that those go fast).
Check out the 19th-century Assateague Lighthouse while you’re there. Located in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, it’s a quick hike along a shaded path from the parking area. Visitors can climb to the top of the 142-foot-high beacon.
17. Ocean Downs Casino
Address: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD 21811
Whether you want to play cards, try your hand at slots (there are more than 900 of them), or just grab a drink, Ocean Downs Casino is a lively spot to spend the day or evening. Games include sports betting, simulcast seasonal horse racing, slots, and table games such as blackjack and craps.
The casino has an outdoor concert series and several bars and restaurants. A popular annual event is Rocktober, which features Journey, KISS, and U2 tribute bands in the casino’s outdoor setting.
Ocean Downs Casino is about six miles from the boardwalk. It’s a top spot to get out of the sun and enjoy the nightlife.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Ocean City is a great choice if you want to be near the casino action. It’s also near Grand Prix Amusements and Frontier Town.
The hotel has an indoor pool, a business center, and a convenience counter with snacks and drinks. Guest rooms at the Holiday Inn Express offer free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a desk.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City West is another good choice for easy casino and boardwalk access. There’s an indoor pool, a fitness center, outdoor seating areas, and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and daily complimentary breakfast.
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18. Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery
Address: 11206 Worcester Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811
If you’re looking for a romantic outing in Ocean City, we’ve found the perfect place. Located about seven miles from the boardwalk area, Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery is a peaceful setting on a 12.5-acre farm. Taste local wine, listen to live music, or enjoy a fine dining experience at the Mariner House.
In the winter months, you can book a fondue dining experience in igloo-like domes. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle to take home. Seasonal wine varieties include blueberry wine, watermelon wine, Riesling, rosé, and summer red.
19. Frontier Town
Address: 8428 Stephen Decatur Hwy., Berlin, MD 21811
Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is a western-themed amusement park and campground. It’s one of the best things to do in Ocean City for families seeking fun and themed entertainment. Located along the shores of Sinepuxent Bay, just south of Ocean City, it was formerly known as Frontier Town RV Resort & Campground.
The campground has a pool, a restaurant, mini golf, nature trails, a 75-slip marina, and a pier. Visitors to the 1880s-themed Frontier Town amusement park can pan for gold, ride a stagecoach and ponies, and watch shows such as gun fights, bank hold-ups, jailbreaks, and more western fun.
There are a variety of restaurants and gift shops among the façade of general stores, saloons, and banks. There’s a water park to go along with the Wild West fun of the Frontier Town amusement park.
And yes, you can visit the water park and Frontier Town without being a campground guest.
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20. Grand Prix Amusements
Address: 12424 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Grand Prix Amusements is the place to go to ride go-karts and bumper boats, practice your swing in the batting cages, slide down slides, and spin around. There’s a 24-foot rock climbing wall.
The go-kart track offers fun for all sorts of speed (or not speedy) demons. There’s a kiddie track, a family track, a super cyclone flat track, and a grand prix with banked curves and twisting turns.
Grand Prix Amusements is near Outlets Ocean City, Baja Amusements, and the south end of the Ocean City boardwalk area.
For a hotel near the fun of Grand Prix Amusements and Outlets Ocean City, consider the Francis Scott Key Family Resort. With accommodations and activities all in one spot, you may never have to leave. The hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a pirate-themed water park area, a hot tub, an on-site fitness center, a game room, a picnic area, and a fishing pond.
Spacious guest rooms have a refrigerator, a coffee maker, cable TV, and a DVD player. This is one of our favorite Ocean City destination hotels.
21. Fager’s Island
Address: 201 60th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842
Overlooking Isle of Wight Bay, Fager’s Island is one of the best places to go in Ocean City for fresh seafood and American and Pacific Rim cuisine with a view. There are outdoor decks and a gazebo right on the bay. Enjoy those excellent sunsets with a happy hour cocktail.
Live music, local bands, special events, and deck parties make Fager’s a hotspot all year round.
Fager’s owns two hotels nearby, the Lighthouse Club Hotel and The Edge. The three properties (restaurant and two hotels) are connected by a pedestrian bridge over the wetlands of the bay.
The Edge is an actual island just south of the restaurant. The boutique hotel features 12 guest suites in a peaceful and relaxing setting.
The Lighthouse Club Hotel, the southernmost property, resembles an East Coast lighthouse. It features a tropically elegant club room, a massage room, a pool, a fitness center, and a porch with rocking chairs. Rooms offer a relaxing ambiance with neutral colors and bamboo furnishings.
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22. Fenwick Island Lighthouse
Address: 103 146th St., Ocean City, MD 21842
Located just across the border in Delaware, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse is a fun day trip from the Ocean City area. Fenwick Island is a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Assawoman Bay.
Constructed in 1858, it’s the oldest lighthouse in Delaware. It’s 87 feet tall, but it’s not open to climb. You can take a tour of the grounds from May through October. There’s a museum and a gift shop on the property.
Visit the Fenwick Boardwalk while you’re there. Small compared to Ocean City’s boardwalk, it has all the staples of boardwalk fare, including pretzels, pizza, ice cream, boardwalk fries, and coffee shops. It’s at the corner of Coastal Highway and Route 54.
FAQ
What is the best thing to do with kids in Ocean City, Maryland?
If you’re looking for things to do in Ocean City with kids, look no further than the boardwalk. From arcades and mini golf to amusement park rides and midway games, you’ll find a wide range of fun things to do in Ocean City.
What are some fun things to do in Ocean City, Maryland?
The top things to do in Ocean City include golf courses, the Carousel Ice Skating Rink, Splash Mountain Water Park, and, of course, hitting the Ocean City Beach.
What are some things to do in Ocean City, Maryland, when it’s raining?
When it’s raining in Ocean City, use your time to visit attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, the Ocean City Life Saving Station, or the Escapomania Escape Room.
What are the best tourist attractions in Ocean City, Maryland?
Frontier Town, Trimper Rides and Amusements, Ocean Downs Casino, and the Ocean City Boardwalk are among the top Ocean City tourist attractions.
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