Need Opinions on Ocean City MD

[Magalex]

Curious about Ocean City MD. My family consists of myself, DH and 5 yr old DS
Not big Ocean lovers but my DS would love to go to a beach area. Is Ocean City family-friendly, clean? Any good hotel suggestions? Any opinions welcome.

Thanks
Magalex

 

[Christine]

Megalex,

I grew up going to Ocean City, MD and still go whenever I get a chance. I am 42 now so I have seen my share of changes in the place. It went from very family friendly in the 60s-70s, to an awful place in the 80s and part of the 90s, and now it is back to being VERY family friendly and a fun place to visit in the summer.

It is much smaller than Myrtle Beach so you kind of get that small beach town feel (sometimes I am totally overwhelmed in Myrtle Beach). There is tons to do for little kids--they love the boardwalk and the Trimper Rides at the end of the boardwalk (mainly geared for little ones).

The ocean water is very cold until about August, so I usually don't go until then, but it is beautiful there in June--some of the best weather then and lower crowds.

I usually stay at weekly condos so I am not "up" on the nightly hotels but I recall The Dunes Manor being nice. There are also some new hotels that just opened last summer--just can't remember the names. They are all nice.

 

[LoveWDW]

I used to go to in Ocean City, Md, every summer with my family when it was a beach town. Then it got overwhelming, as Christine mentioned. I haven't stayed in a few years, but I still like to stay a few nights at a place on the boardwalk so I can walk to the end of the boardwalk and back and get the fries (fries and vinegar! yum!) and the ice cream, and the popcorn, :: drool :: . Last time I was there there were water rides. I don't know much about what is available for kids anymore. We stayed in Bethany last few times we were there and drove down to Ocean City for the day. Bethany used to be more family friendly than Ocean City, but as I said, I haven't been there for a couple years.

 

[jennobrn01]

If you want the classic Americana feel, and family friendly do Rehoboth Beach, DE. Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach (DE) are both classic East Coast small, quaint beach towns. Rehoboth has a nicer boardwalk, classic amusement area with rides, and the best restaurants in the state. If you stay in DE you have the benefit of tax free shopping. You could day trip it to OC and see if you like it.

As far as hotels it depends what you want. Oceanfront/view, or 5-10 minute ride from ocean.

 

[tmt martins]

I'm getting ready to book a trip for DD soccer tourn. in March .We still go 3 or 4 times a year for long weekends.

We are getting HI suite for $59 a night .

Go to OCMOTELS for listings also Expiedia and so forth has listings as well

The beach is nice ,Boardwalk and rides,waterparks,minigolf galore.Then a short distance you have Assituege (sp) island state and federal parks with the Ponies.and fronteir town Wild west park.

Yes Clean 5yr old will have plenty to do but for us it is just as much as staying a week in disney to stay a week in OC during peak time,(can't keep me & DD out of the arcades)

 

[ElizaB39]

I second going to Rehoboth Beach DE instead of OC MD. OC was totally overhwleming for me the first time I went. I looked at DH one night and said, are you kidding me? This is vacation? We waited in lines for an hour or more to have dinner. We had to search for a place on the beach each day by 9:00 am so we could be in the first row by the water and not 4 or 5 rows back from the edge of the water. I just could not take it, especially when I grew up going to a resort in Northern MN on Leech Lake that had about 19 cabins total. We never went out to eat and all we did was read, swim and play games.

Fast forward 10 years to OC MD and lights camera action BABY! Noise and people cars and pollution EVERYWHERE! Teens teens and more teens abounded. Waaaaaa, I want MN!

Then we went to Rehoboth DE and found a quieter, still somewhat crowded, but cleaner and more families less older teens and college kids (referred to as teens above). Also, the rides area for kids is smoke free and clean clean clean. Tickets, when bough in bulk are less than 20 cents each. Rides are from 3 - 5 tickets per (if I remember correctly).

Good restaurants and if you early bird can get some good deals.

We have been several times and look forward to going back sometime in the next several years (provided we don't go to Disney).