Ocean City, Maryland is a great destination for families, beach-goers, food enthusiasts, and bar-hoppers alike. One of the features that distinguishes Ocean City from other beach towns is its boardwalk that spans nearly three miles, from the inlet to 27th street. After about 14th street, the boardwalk is much quieter and more residential.
The tram is a great way to see the entire boardwalk for only $4 per person for a one-way ride!
The boardwalk is a great evening destination because there is something for everyone! It is bustling with a plethora of arcades, shops, and other attractions. Most people who visit the boardwalk park at the inlet since that is closest to some of the boardwalk’s most popular spots. Parking during the summer season (the end of May through the end of September) is $3.50 per hour with the first 30 minutes free. There are also public restrooms located on Worcester Street (right beside the inlet parking lot), Caroline Street, 9th Street, and 27th Street.
Amusements for All Ages Near the Inlet
Along with the large arcades near the inlet parking lot, Marty’s Playland and Sporland, there are dozens of individual games ranging from basketball and pool to balloon pop and water games. Other arcades can be found further north on the boardwalk.
For thrill seekers, check out one of the two amusement parks located right on the boardwalk near the inlet and pier, Jolly Roger and Trimper’s! Each amusement park has dozens of rides and games for people of all ages, although Trimper’s indoor section of rides is ideal for the youngest riders and includes the historic Merry-Go-Round and other rides that have entertained visitors for many decades.
You can take a ride on ferris wheels, rollercoasters, the Jolly Roger slingshot, or even the Trimper’s Haunted House ride that has been a staple of the boardwalk since 1964.
Not much of a rider? Check out the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and Mirror Maze located just past the Jolly Roger amusement park at the inlet.
Are you interested in learning a little more about Ocean City’s history? The Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, offers self-guided tours complete with an aquarium, an Eastern Shore shipwreck exhibit, and memorabilia from the boardwalk throughout the decades.
For older children and teenagers, check out Quiet Storm surf shop, one of the largest shops on the boardwalk, and Malibu’s Surf Shop, a family-owned shop, on Surf Avenue near 7th street. There’s even an under 21 club just off the boardwalk.
It’s All About the Food!
If you start to get hungry, you should have no trouble finding a bite to eat! For pizza and other favorites, try the Dough Roller, Piezano’s or look out at the beach and boardwalk on the rooftop at Tony’s Pizza. The further up the boardwalk, the more great sit-down restaurants to try, such as Shotti’s Point Cafe, Hammerheads Bar and Grille, Brassballs Saloon, and Shenanigans Irish Pub. These are great options for families during the day or for drinks in the evening. Adults can also grab a drink at Purple Moose, Guidos Burritos, or even the Plim Plaza pool bar to listen to some live music. For a nicer restaurant experience, check out Coastal Salt on 16th Street or Harrison’s Harborwatch that overlooks the inlet.
Harrison’s even has their own parking underneath (turn left before entering the inlet parking lot or just park at the inlet) and is the perfect spot to watch birds hunt for fish and bugs after dark as their large lights shine out on the inlet.
If you’d prefer to eat something on the go, there are a ton of places to grab a snack on the boardwalk, including Alaska Stand burgers, Thrasher’s Fries, Polock Johnnys, Fisher’s Popcorn, Bull on the Beach, Dough Roller’s pizza take-out window, and Dayton’s fried chicken.
You can even grab something sweet from Candy Kitchen or some Dolle’s salt water taffy. For dessert, check out Dumser’s ice cream, Kohr Bros frozen custard, Dippin’ Dots, or even TLC Polish Water Ice.
Mornings on the Boardwalk
The boardwalk isn’t just an evening destination – there’s plenty to do during the day! You can grab some breakfast the Fractured Prune, Cinnabon, or Dunkin. Malia’s and Shotti’s Point Cafe are also great boardwalk breakfast spots! You can rent bikes or bring your own to ride on the boardwalk until 11:00 AM each morning.
You can park at the inlet to visit the Boardwalk or to spend the day on the beach. A stretch of this beach is designated as “surf beach.” You can either grab your board or stay on the shore and watch some surfers. Malibu’s Surf Shop on Surf Avenue near 7th street even offers lessons if you’re interested!
Near Malibu’s, you can also check out the dozens of kites on the beach at Kite Loft and even get one for yourself.
The Inlet and Pier
If you’d prefer to fish rather than spend the day at the beach, some people fish at the inlet or rent rods and fish off the Ocean City Fishing Pier. You can also rent rods and bait and fish off the Oceanic Fishing Pier on the bayside of the inlet.
The pier is also a great spot to watch the sunrise over the ocean!
It’s a short walk to the inlet jetty where you’ll find picturesque views of Assateague Island and sunsets over the bay.
You can watch boats going to and from the Atlantic ocean through the inlet from the walkway or even while sitting in your car in the inlet parking lot, day and night. On mornings and evenings of fishing tournaments, the area will be full of people cheering on the participants. You’ll see the OC Rocket and Sea Rocket, Angler “Cruise with Dinner” boat, commercial and recreational boats, and jetskis in the inlet everyday alongside dolphins, cormorants, seagulls, osprey, and pelicans. Seals have even been seen resting on the southern jetty at certain times of the year!
Before you leave, remember to stop at Souvenir City, a shop that has been a Boardwalk staple for generations, and take something home!
