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Ocean City: the city's best neighbourhoods

Find a great area to stay in Ocean City

About Ocean City

Including tips for the best time to visit Ocean City

Summertime crowds swell to a breaking point in Ocean City – a beachy resort town that stretches along a barrier island off Maryland's coast. Nevertheless, few, if any, destinations on the US's east coast offer as quintessential an American summer escape as 'OC'. From the beach to the boardwalk, trips here are all about the sun, the sand and the sea.

The 4.8-kilometre Ocean City Boardwalk is the city's beating heart. Every inch of space opposite the beach is occupied by souvenir shops, bars, hotels and all amounts of arcade games and rides. At the boardwalk's southern end, a 1920s-era fishing pier features a Ferris wheel, restored carousel and other amusements. Elsewhere, you'll find public recreation centres like Northside Park and theme parks like Jolly Roger at the Pier, which offers go-kart racing and mini-golf.

Seafood dominates restaurant menus in Ocean City. Blue crabs are a Maryland signature, and you can order yours here baked, fried or steamed. Salt water taffy is another local staple – a soft, chewy candy invented in New Jersey that's now sold in seaside destinations across the US.

No visit to Ocean City is complete without time spent on the beach – during the warmer months, at least. Though often crowded, the sands here are spacious, clean and free to use. By day, visitors enjoy dips in the chilly Atlantic, while the more adventurous take to kayaking and surfing. At night, all return to shore to soak in the sunset.

Tonight

From £140 per night

This weekend

From £280 per night

Next weekend

From £187 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency US$10 = £8.04
Language
Average weekend price £87 per night
Average weekday price £92 per night
Typical stay 2 nights

Points of interest in Ocean City

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Ocean City

Ocean City reviews

What other travellers say about Ocean City

10

I loved the room, and was surprised there was a Fridge,...

24 April 2024

I loved the room, and was surprised there was a Fridge, stove, and dishwasher and dishes to use. I didn't have much time to use the jacuzzi but was it there and in working order. I checked. :) The view of the ocean was spectacular, and hearing the waves so close by at night, allowed me to have a peaceful deep sleep every night! The view in the lobby was awesome and everything I need was either a phone call away or within walking distance. We ate dinner at the Original Crabcake Factory, excellent food. I am already planning to go back I enjoyed myself so much!

Christine
Christine United States
10

Our first visit to Ocean City & it was a quick overnight...

11 April 2024

Our first visit to Ocean City & it was a quick overnight stay. We walked the Boardwalk & took in the sights. Had door dash that evening from local restaurant, Fat Daddys. Their service & food made the stay even better. We are excited to have an alternative to stay when we travel & looking forward to booking another trip soon.

Anonymous
10

Great place to visit in the summer with the boardwalk and...

29 March 2024

Great place to visit in the summer with the boardwalk and the shops. Lots of white sandy beach line. Bike rentals are awesome as well and hermit crab purchase for the kiddos are fun. I would avoid going to Ocean City in the spring, winter and fall. It's way too cold to really enjoy all of the amenities. Best time to go is June - September!

Creese
Creese United States
6.0

The beaches are beautiful the sand is nice and the dunes...

23 March 2024

The beaches are beautiful the sand is nice and the dunes have really come a long way and of course the water is beautiful. But interfering this is the dogs the ever-present intrusion of Unleashed animals and poop. I don't believe the city enforces it's leash laws or pooper scooper laws.

Anonymous
6.0

Ocean City is overpriced with lots of inner city liberals...

13 March 2024

Ocean City is overpriced with lots of inner city liberals moving in and illegal aliens. The town is being overrun with dogs and dog friendly hotels. The costs of everything is too high from hotel rooms to restaurant food especially. For the money you're going to spend you can have a nice Cruise in the Caribbean and still save money.. on the other hand if you don't mind dog poop on the beach and you just want to get to the ocean it's a great escape. But there are too many people here now and it's not so quiet. The smell of pot is ever present even in the hotel rooms.

Anonymous
10

I love staying in Ocean City, MD.

4 March 2024

I love staying in Ocean City, MD. Everything is so convenient to get to from this hotel. Lots of food options and shopping even in off season. We love the Bad Monkey, Purple Moose Saloon, Assateague Island and the boardwalk.

Stacey
Stacey United States

Popular places to stay in Ocean City

Stay in some of the best accommodation Ocean City has to offer