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If you’re taking a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, you’re in for a fun-filled getaway!
To ensure the best possible experience, make sure to plan ahead — some of these activities may require you to buy tickets beforehand.
You can visit this vacation spot any time of year, but the best time to visit is during the summer. Beaches, amusement parks, and outdoor recreation are just a few fun things this location has to offer, so be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen!
Not sure where to start? We’ve made it simple—here are some of the best things to do on your trip to Ocean City, Maryland.
Outdoor Recreation
If you want to get your family out and away from technology, this vacation spot is for you. When you’re in Ocean City, there are endless ways to enjoy the great outdoors to its fullest.
Miniature Golf
Ocean City is home to plenty of mini-golf courses. Depending on where you go, there are plenty of options for both children and adults.
Whether it’s warm and sunny or one of Maryland’s chillier days, this relaxing sport can be a great source of fun for the whole family.
Kayaking & Canoeing
The eastern shore is full of crystal-clear waters that are perfect for kayaking and canoeing.
Don’t have your own kayak or canoe? Don’t worry; there are plenty of boat rental services throughout this vacation spot.
If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, there are some areas in Ocean City that are perfect for white water rafting. Or, if you’d like something a bit more low-key, you can take a guided canoe tour at Ayers Creek Adventures.
Fishing
Fishing families are in for a treat! Ocean City has various fishing areas, many of which include a beautiful view of the ocean.
Are you hoping to catch some of Maryland’s delicious crabs? You can make a visit to 9th Street Pier for a relaxing day of fishing and crabbing. Once you’re done, you can take your freshly-caught fish over to one of their fish-cleaning tables to wash up.
Of course, fishing isn’t for everyone. If this activity makes some of your family a bit squeamish, you could visit Northside Park. In addition to a fishing lagoon with a beautiful view of the ocean, they also have baseball fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Hiking & Bike Rides
Bring along some walking shoes and mosquito repellent because Ocean City has miles of trails perfect for hiking and biking.
If you’d like to experience the beauty of Maryland’s wildlife, you should certainly spend a day at Herring Creek Natural Park. Bring along some binoculars because this is an excellent trail to go birding.
Experience an Amusement Park
Nothing embodies summer vacation like a day at an amusement park!
The most notable option in OceJolly Roger Amusement Parkan City is the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, which will surely put a smile on your children’s faces.
If you’re feeling brave, you may want to try out the Looping Star Roller Coaster. Or, if you’re feeling competitive, you could enjoy their go-karts at one of their ten different racing tracks!
And as the sun sets, you can take a ride on their Ferris wheel that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
Another great option is Trimper’s Rides Amusement Park. Choose between indoor and outdoor rides, which makes this an excellent option for a rainy day. Kids will love the carousel, teacups, and kiddie Ferris wheels!
You can also stop by their arcade to play some fun games like whack-a-mole or skeeball. And if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by Sticky Fingers Dessert Bar while you’re there to enjoy some baked goods, popcorn, and their special Trimper’s Taffy.
Take a Tour Through a Museum
Don’t let a rainy day get in the way of your vacation. There are plenty of exciting indoor museums in Ocean City to keep your family busy, rain or shine.
Want to learn a bit of Ocean City’s history? You’ll want to stop by Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at least once during your visit. They have plenty of fun and educational exhibits, including a collection of historical artifacts and even an aquarium room!
If you’re looking for something a little more bizarre, you might want to try the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum on the Ocean City Boardwalk. You can experience their wacky artwork and optical illusions or enjoy interactive activities such as their Marvelous Mirror Maze.
Spend a Day at the Beach
When you’re in a place called Ocean City, it would indeed be a waste not to visit the beach at least once. You can find plenty of beaches in this area that will make for an excellent day trip.
The clean saltwater of the Atlantic Ocean is ideal for swimming. If you have any collectors in your family, the beaches in Ocean City are full of beautiful shells and sea glass!
And if you’re visiting the east coast for the first time, you will finally get to experience the Atlantic’s incredible marine life.
If you’d like to stay near the city, you could go to Ocean City Beach for a swim. Or, if you don’t mind traveling a bit, Delaware Seashore Park is just a short drive away. No matter where you go, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.
You could also go to Assateague Island National Seashore, which is in Berlin, Maryland. It’s not too far from Ocean City—the drive shouldn’t be more than 14 minutes.
When you visit this beach, you may even catch a glimpse of their wild horses! Avoid approaching them, but you can bring along a camera to snap a photo.
For an even more breathtaking experience, you could also consider jet skiing on one of Ocean City’s beaches! If you have one, you can bring your own jet ski or loan one from a rental service such as Paradise Watersports.
Enjoy Some Delicious Treats
Ocean City is home to a variety of delicious treats that the whole family will surely enjoy. Light snacks, hearty meals, plenty of sweets, or even alcoholic drinks—there’s something in this vacation spot that will satisfy your tastebuds.
Take a tour through the boardwalk and stop at one of their many different concessions. For an authentic east coast experience, you can enjoy a filling seafood dinner at Hammerheads Bar & Grill.
And if you need something to keep you cool in the hot sun, you can visit Dumser’s Dairyland for some refreshing ice cream.
If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, you could also make a visit to Fractured Prune Doughnut Shoppe for some of their freshly baked and fried doughnuts. Or, if you’d like something to take home as a souvenir, visit Dolle’s Candyland Inc. for some of their chewy saltwater taffy.
Visit a Water Park
Do you want to splash around in the water, but you’re not too fond of getting sand or seaweed in your hair? You’re in luck because Ocean City is home to some fantastic water parks.
After a long day at The Jolly Roger Amusement Park, you can head on over to their waterpark section known as Splash Mountain.
Here, you can enjoy refreshing and exciting rides such as Stealth, an intimidating 45-foot tall water slide. Or, if you want something more low-key for the little kids, they also have plenty of kid-friendly attractions such as Kiddie Pools or the Lazy Lagoon Family Activity Pool.
Another great option is Viking Golf & Thunder Lagoon Water Park. While it’s technically in Delaware, it’s no more than a 20-minute drive from Jolly Roger. From their Lazy River to their Black Hole body slide, there’s something here for everyone.
Witness Their Annual Air Show
If you’re in Ocean City during the summer, you won’t want to miss their annual air show. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the planes as they soar through the beautiful Maryland skies. Make sure to buy tickets ahead of time because they tend to sell out quickly!
And if you can’t make it to the air show in person, don’t fret—they also offer a live stream the weekend after the show so that you can experience this one-of-a-kind show from the safety of your hotel or home.
Before You Go
No matter what your budget may be, there are plenty of fun things to do at Ocean City.
To make the most of your experience, stay for a week or two so you can enjoy all that this excellent vacation spot has to offer. There are plenty of high-quality hotels to choose from.
Be sure to plan accordingly to the weather. While it may have a reputation for its beaches, it’s still Maryland, meaning Ocean City can get pretty cold in the fall or winter months.
But even if a cold or rainy day does spring up during your visit, there is still plenty of family fun that this island has to offer!
