Ocean City can best be explained by its location: it is a tiny island in Maryland. It overlooks a shallow bay on the mainland side, which is also a great place to fish and/or to water-ski. It is neither a high-end resort island nor a really deprived slum: it falls right in the laps of the middle-class vacationers. As such, it is a haven for fresh High School graduates from around the region who flood its beaches from the middle of June right until the end of the Fourth of July weekend. It also has its moments of rowdy (and somewhat raunchy) college students thronging the clubs and flooding the city's buses. However, the City's largest group is comprised of middle-class families. And it is a safe, enjoyable, and remarkably cheap place to be with a family. That is, unless if you do not plan ahead and get the best deals around.
I recommend that families, or anybody else for that matter, avoid Ocean City during the Fourth of July Weekend. It is the most expensive and crowded time to be in Ocean City. If possible, early June or late August is probably the best time to be in Ocean City. That way, one can avoid the most boisterous of the young crowd and get a really good bargain on lodging and fooding.
With good shopping, families can rent nice, furnished condominiums away from the hotel areas for a really good price. The best place to look for this would be Ocean City Chamber of Commerce website
www.oceancity.org (click on "Where to Stay" link). The site also provides a lot of useful information on dining and recreation facilities as well.
The Boardwalk is a happening place and has a lot to offer, from dining and lodging to recreation areas that range from a Ripley's Believe It or Not store to tattoo studios. The nightlife is exciting with a number of clubs, including the famous Seacrets Bar & Grille that boasts the biggest dance floors and the largest number of bars in the East Coast.
All in all, Ocean City is full of surprises and does have pretty well-kept beaches. It is strictly not for people who want to avoid crowded places. The weather is generally agreeable and the ocean usually warm yet refreshing. It is a place for families as well as young and single people.
Quick Tips:
One of the biggest seafood chains one finds is the local Phillips brand. However, personally speaking, Phillips might just be a tad bit overrated; try a restaurant that attracts the locals rather than the tourists. How to find such restaurants? Well, one has to start by speaking with the locals. A few restaurants I would recommend, in no order of preference - listed alphabetically, would be:
1) B.J.s On the Water - a local favorite
www.bjsonthewater.com 2) Bayside Skillet - great seafood
www.baysideskillet.com 3) Buxy's Salty Dog - the local's ultimate pub
www.buxyssaltydog.com 4) General's Kitchen - a famous breakfast place for families (I give it a 4-star rating, a must try; address: 7302 Coastal Highway, i.e. nearby 73rd Street)
5) Greene Turtle - a hip sports bar frequented by the locals
6) Outback Steakhouse - I know, a worldwide chain, but this one was "World's Busiest Outback" in 2000 and 2002. I have worked there so I can vouch for their quality of service (and great food).
7)Paul Revere Smoargasboard - don't miss this if you're in Boardwalk and looking for a great place to eat. Right at 2nd Street and Boardwalk, in the middle of it all. Great food, excellent prices.
As to lodging, do not expect big, high-end chains. The ones you will get will be 3 diamonds or less (Holiday Inn, Quality Inn etc. and no Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental etc.) But as I mentioned above, quality condominiums are available as well. Furthermore, please do expect to pay more than you generally would for these otherwise cheaper hotels/motels. Even the economy motels are completely sold out during weekends and seldom come for less than a hundred dollars. Book in advance. I would advise young vacationers to look into housing in West Ocean City as well. It is really nearby and housing is much affordable there.
Bring lots of suntan lotion. And do buy your boogie boards and your swimwear beforehand; I find the stuff in Ocean City stores highly overcharged. If not staying in a pricey hotel, expect to be charged for renting beach accessories like umbrellas and chairs. And do keep in mind that Ocean City's beaches are alcohol-free.
Parking might be a problem during weekends. Please be advised and arrive at the beach to avoid the general rush-hour, which starts at around 10am and lasts until mid-afternoon. The crowd is really huge.
Best Way To Get Around:
Ocean City is not served by an airport. The best way to get there would be by car. If Greyhound is your thing, regularly scheduled buses do arrive from Baltimore everyday. Amtrak does not go to Ocean City either. So the chances are that you will probably take your car with you. However, the best way to go about Ocean City would be using the city's public transportation: buses. The service is frequent and is reliable (the buses have their own lane) and is cost-effective as well, considering the sky-rocketing gas prices these days. The last I was in Ocean City (2005), it cost to get a one-day unlimited bus pass.
If you dig exercises and can withstand the heat and the humidity (average summer temperature is 84 degrees), you could also rent a bike. A short bike ride will get you almost anywhere in Ocean City. Evening and or early morning bike rides are really worth it; you save fossil fuels and you work up your appetite. Information on bike rental places can be found through the Yellow Pages online. Bike stands and parking lots are available throughout the city.
There are a lot of taxicab companies that serve throughout the night. The fare is usually not that high since the town is indeed quite small.