Ocean City,MD-Must do's?

[klamb19]

We are headed to Ocean City,MD next week and I was wondering if there were any must do activities or places to eat at.
We know we want to parasail, go-carts,putt-putt. Is the water park worth it or is the amusement park?
Opinions on Asseteague Island would be great too!


Thanks!

 

[MALE*RN*777]

This is a listing of information concerning Frontier Town and Ocean City MD. I see that your going to stay at Castaway which we have driven through but haven't actually camped at but it is looking to be a nice alternative to Frontier Town. Hope the information helps...
The water-park is Free to campers and they have a lazy river, water tubes, water slides and a kids pool with which is no deeper than one and a half feet the whole length with a wagon with a slide and some rafts and barrels they can sit on. We like it because with a family of 5, its like we are camping for free because the cost to get in if you are not camping is $12 per person. The parents can sit on the side of the pool and watch the kids without any problem and feel pretty confident because the pool is not deep. Parents seem to have just as much fun in that pool as the kids. Take in a cooler with drinks and food for the family (no alcohol or glass bottles) because prices for food is a little on the high inside. They also have a putt putt but the better ones are in Ocean City itself. Also, at Frontier Town you have to go to the Western Theme Park which is live action with a train, stagecoach and bank robberies, jail breaks, panning for gold, you can see a Can Can show, ride horses, ponies, paddle boats, Indian village and much more. You get a discount for staying at Frontier Town. Best part of the Western Theme Park is you or the kids might be selected to be part of the show which they love. They get to where the clothes and hold the guns. Get there first thing in the morning when they open so the kids can be deputized by the sheriff and get a shave at the barber shop. Be sure to bring a camera. If you like seafood the top two places for us are Phillips Seafood and The Bonfire. We are always looking to save a buck for other things so we usually will hit the restaurants during early bird specials from 4p till 5pm to save a buck or two. The Bonfire is on 71st street and has a good selection. Phillips Seafood on 21st is our favorite because it is still the average price for an All You Can Eat like the Bonfire but it is one street over from the Boardwalk. Again we go during the Early Bird then leave our car parked at the restaurant and walk across to the Boardwalk. We look at the stores and shops on the walk down to the pier, then I walk or ride the tram back and pick up the van then drive down to 1st or 2nd street and pick up the family. Free Parking and no parking jams as what is a problem I will explain. You can find everything you need on the Boardwalk. Parking like I said is a big issue if you park at the inlet in the evening hours. In the morning it is no problem. The inlet parking is where lots of day trippers go to the beach there is a pier which we usually go on the other side of which is a better for the kids because the waves aren't so bad from the incoming boats headed to the bay inlet. Now for evening parking depending on what you want to do. Like I said you fight for parking at the inlet parking area then I have spent 3 hrs. before (not kidding) trying to get out. If not going to Phillips to eat then we usually park right across from Trimpers Amusement which start off at about $5 around 5:00pm then gets higher during the night. You can park there until you are done for the night for the $5 and getting out isn't bad. You can choose to park at the bus park and ride right before you head over the bridge to Ocean City and take the bus for $1 or $2 a person. Sometimes with all the equipment for the kids it may be hard getting on and off. Fort Whaley may offer a shuttle during the day for free and a small fee in the evening. Now for the Boardwalk and treats for all. Grab a coupon book from the campground if you can for the best candy store on the beach which is the Candy Kitchen. Several of these Candy Kitchens are on the Boardwalk and within easy driving through out OC. A little expensive but usually they run some type of buy one so much get so much free. Look in the coupon book for other deals from them. Best time to buy is around 5pm. Usually the old stuff from the night before is gone and the new stuff is out. Fudge is the hottest item but make sure you have a good refrig to keep it from melting. Take a cooler with you to leave in the vehicle unless you buy right before you leave the boardwalk. You will find beach things all up and down the boardwalk. You will find some things are a little more at certain places than others. I would check before buying at the place at the end (near the rides) of the boardwalk attached to the Burger King or the shops near. The further down the boardwalk (heading toward 22nd) the more $$ things are. Now I grew up in Baltimore and have been around lots of people but you will find that several shops that sell certain tee shirts are not kid friendly. Many foreign people with tee shirts and other things I don't want my kid reading or seeing. You will find these shops at alot of beach resorts which play loud music. You will see what I mean. Anyway, a must have is the popcorn from Dolly's (caramel is the top seller) try the 3 flavor can. Another must is Thrashers Fries. People line up down the boardwalk for these fries. By the way most of these shops are at the inlet end of the boardwalk. The best pizza on the boardwalk is the Dough Roller. Nice airconditioned restuarant right on the boardwalk.

Unless you are a softy, don't let your kids buy a hermit crab. They will die and then stink. All kids want one but everyone parent will tell the same store of the hermit crab kit they bought for their kid then the crab died. The best outlet shops are again right before you go over the bridge to Ocean City on the left. They have a little of everything. They have a Wal*Mart right down the road from Whaley incase you forget something and if you need groceries go to the Foodlion heading toward Frontier Town Campground but make sure you have or register for a Foodlion discount card which will save you alot. Also right between Foodlion and Frontier Town on the right side is a good produce stand. I forgot about something important with food. Don't buy Chinese or Chicken Wings (hot wings) at the beach. At least we've never found a good place. Glow sticks are a big thing to buy that will keep the kids occupied for a time and are cheap. We buy ours here at the dollar store and take them camping with us. Some kid usually will see mine with some and we give some away. Right across from the Rt. heading to Frontier Town and near the outlet stores you will find a great go kart track. You also may wish to check out the schedule for the Pelicans which is a triple A team for the Baltimore Orioles in Salisbury. There are some batting cages and an indoor putt putt (several putt putts on Coastal Highway on the bay side. Again get a map which is in the OC guide to help you with easy locations. Anyway, I hope this is giving you the info you wanted, if you have anymore questions please PM me. HAPPY CAMPING...

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Just got back from OC.

These are OUR must do's. Walk the Boardwalk numerous times. Let the kids play in the arcade and do some amusement park rides. Eat Thrasher fries, get a Dumsers shake. Eat at the Dough Roller on the boardwalk. Eat at the Bonfire. Eat at Seacrets (we LOVE Seacrets...so do the kids!) We like to eat ... did you notice ...

We have done Assateague before, while it is cool, we don't do it every trip. We have also done chartered fishing cruises and the Sea Rocket which were both fun.

Also, on our way home we stop at the Rehoboth Outlets, which way are better than OCs, but crazy busy and the traffic SUCKS.

And most of all...ENJOY THE BEACH...and don't forget to rent/bring an umbrella!!

 

[Neesy228]

Just got back from OC.

These are OUR must do's. Walk the Boardwalk numerous times. Let the kids play in the arcade and do some amusement park rides. Eat Thrasher fries, get a Dumsers shake. Eat at the Dough Roller on the boardwalk. Eat at the Bonfire. Eat at Seacrets (we LOVE Seacrets...so do the kids!) We like to eat ... did you notice ...

We have done Assateague before, while it is cool, we don't do it every trip. We have also done chartered fishing cruises and the Sea Rocket which were both fun.

Also, on our way home we stop at the Rehoboth Outlets, which way are better than OCs, but crazy busy and the traffic SUCKS.

And most of all...ENJOY THE BEACH...and don't forget to rent/bring an umbrella!!

I agree with most of this. We travel to OC every year...our favorite things are: the Boardwalk! We visit the shops, especially cool places like the Kite Loft, eat at Shenanigans and sit out on their patio, play arcade games and eat Thrashers Fries! We don't usually do the rides just because it gets pretty expensive.

We only do Assateague once every few years. It's fun to check out once in a while!

There are great speed boat rides, we usually do the OC Rocket.

Lots of cool golf courses -- which one you choose is just a matter of which theme you like best.

There is a great park on 127th Street with a huge playground, a long pier on the bay and lots of biking/walking/running paths.

Our family traditions when we go are:

We always get up early one morning and rent a surrey bike and pedal up and down the Boardwalk - my kids love that!
We get a Sandcastle Sundae from the Ice Cream Castle store. (It's huge and our kids always laugh when they hand it to us!)

I highly recommend that you pick up the Sunny Day Guide and the various other coupon books that they have in most hotels/grocery stores. There are coupons for EVERYTHING in there. It can really add up over the course of a week if you remember to use them.

Have a great trip! We were just there two weeks ago.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I agree with most of this. We travel to OC every year...our favorite things are: the Boardwalk! We visit the shops, especially cool places like the Kite Loft, eat at Shenanigans and sit out on their patio, play arcade games and eat Thrashers Fries! We don't usually do the rides just because it gets pretty expensive.

We only do Assateague once every few years. It's fun to check out once in a while!

There are great speed boat rides, we usually do the OC Rocket.

Lots of cool golf courses -- which one you choose is just a matter of which theme you like best.

There is a great park on 127th Street with a huge playground, a long pier on the bay and lots of biking/walking/running paths.

Our family traditions when we go are:

We always get up early one morning and rent a surrey bike and pedal up and down the Boardwalk - my kids love that!
We get a Sandcastle Sundae from the Ice Cream Castle store. (It's huge and our kids always laugh when they hand it to us!)

I highly recommend that you pick up the Sunny Day Guide and the various other coupon books that they have in most hotels/grocery stores. There are coupons for EVERYTHING in there. It can really add up over the course of a week if you remember to use them.

Have a great trip! We were just there two weeks ago.

I forgot about the Surrey bikes!! How could I forget them!! And, we do like Shenanigans.

I've never done this, Sandcastle Sundae from the Ice Cream Castle store....where is it??

 

[cassandrap83]

We've gont to OC every year for as long as I can remember.

We're beyond all the "touristy" stuff & really consider it a second home. Given that here are what I consider some awesome things to do:

If you have a family the best beaches are 50th street +, everything lower than that is a TON of high-school college-age kids being. Parking is also FREE up there, and easier to come by.

Go up to Delaware & shop the outlets. No sales tax! Also, while up there make sure to eat at Grotto's Pizza. It's out of this world!

The beaches here are great, but the water is always cold. We've been there the 2nd week in August & to me the water was still too unbearable to go in completely.

We go to the boardwalk every single night. The kids love the arcade, and the Trimper's rides too. It's like a mini amusement park with *mostly* kiddie rides. The Jolly Roger amusement park & water park is quite possibly the most over-priced park ever! I would not spend money to go there, at all! Also, at night right off the boardwalk, there are a few playgrounds in the sand that the kids play on. Bring a light-up frisbee, or ball to play with in the dark.

We almost always go to the Ripley's museum on the boardwalk. It's a lot of fun, and takes a good bit of time, so u really feel like u get ur moneys worth!

If you can get some adult time alone, I totaly recommend jet skiing in the bay. The water is only knee-deep & it's warm! If you go early in the morning you can get a fantastic discount.

At the very end of the boardwalk is an inlet where you can watch the boats go in & out. It's great. Good for fishing too, if you like to fish.

As for food: Thrashers french fries, Fisher's caramel corn, & Polish water ice are what get multiple times per trip. (all on boardwalk) Our favorite restaurant is Big Peckers. The outdoor area has gliders you sit in & you get "misted", it's tropical & fun. Seacrets is great too! You can drink while swimming, plus the bay is warmer than the ocean!

Have a good time!

 

[Neesy228]

I forgot about the Surrey bikes!! How could I forget them!! And, we do like Shenanigans.

I've never done this, Sandcastle Sundae from the Ice Cream Castle store....where is it??

Shenanigans is a favorite...we love it there.

Ice Cream Castle is somewhere around 123rd St. It's right next to Hooters. The Sandcastle Sundae comes in a sand bucket, with 5 scoops of ice cream, 5 toppings (anything from m&m's to gummie bears to marshmallow fluff), whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries. It's immense and hilarious! We never finish it, but we sure have fun trying! You should give a try the next time you're there.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Shenanigans is a favorite...we love it there.

Ice Cream Castle is somewhere around 123rd St. It's right next to Hooters. The Sandcastle Sundae comes in a sand bucket, with 5 scoops of ice cream, 5 toppings (anything from m&m's to gummie bears to marshmallow fluff), whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries. It's immense and hilarious! We never finish it, but we sure have fun trying! You should give a try the next time you're there.

It sounds AWESOME...we will have to try it next year!! Thanks!

 

[jeepgirl30]

we go every summer too. We go with 3 other familes and the kids all love it. One of our favorite places is Fish Tales. They have a great play area for the kids. The sunsets from there are so amazing, it is on the Bay side around 24-28 street. Most nighs they have a lady there that does body painting for the kids.

 

[Connorsmom0]

We also love Ocean City. We go every year as well and stay in an awesome house on the bayside. We spend alot of time at the beach/ boardwalk. Fishers has the best carmel corn but Dolly's is the best taffy!! We also love Thrashers fries and Dumpser's shakes and Ice Cream. YUM. This year we also went to FishTales and LOVED IT!! It is a great place for the kids and the food was very good. We usually rent a bike one morning and two years we did a pirate adventure for the kids. That was pretty cool.

I try to stay away from parking anylower then 12th street. Then you need to pay to park. We bring our own Kites to fly (you can get good ones at Sam's club cheap). We have been going to OC MD for so many years it is like a second home for us too!!

 

[kristinw3girls]

as far as food goes, nothing beats The Old Mill, for crabs> it's all you can eat and honestly, we drive to one location at least 3X a season. It's the best>. Highly recommended!!!

 

[msmama]

If you do go to Assateague make sure to bring LOTS of bug spray.

The pony's there are a little bit...sickly looking. If I remember correctly you can drive quite for free but then have to pay if you go any further.

My opinion is that if you have extra time and it's not too far out of the way you could do it, but I wouldn't go out of my way, personally.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We're going to OC, MD exactly 3 weeks from today. We always stay at the Golden Sands which is an oceanfront highrise with all condo units on 109th St. Our favorite things to do are:

The beach each and every morning, break for lunch, back to beach and/or pool till about 5:00, shower, relax and go out to dinner, boardwalk, mini golf, or just sit out on the bar/grill deck of our hotel and let the kids go to the game room. I think the kids are looking forward to OC more than Disney this year!!

Some good restaurants are Dumsers, Nicks or JRs for ribs, Lombardi's for pizza and pasta. I've also heard great things about Fishtales so we will definetely try that this year. Can anyone tell me about the Sea Rocket or OC Rocket? I think I did it once when I was a teen with my parents but we haven't taken our kids on it yet.

 

[disneynewbee]

I don't know if you have kids or their ages but we have been taking our kids ages 15yo, 6yo, 3yo, and 1yo to OC since they were babies. Some of their favorites are Assateague Adventure (a boat ride to AI where they talk to you about the island and ponies and how OC was formed, etc on the way, then when you get to the island you get off and they take a huge net in the water and you dredge up what you can and they talk to you about the different critters you catch, then on the way back they pass around different water creatures that they keep in a tank on their boat. The kids get to touch them and they just absolutely love it.), and Duckaneer Pirate ship ( kids dress as pirates and you go out on pirate boat there is a story line about finding the buried treasure, kids get to shoot water cannons at the bad guys, treasure is found and kids get to share the loot, on the way back in they play music and kids do limbo. So much fun for the whole family. Parents get to go too and see all the fun.) Both of these are run from the same company and I think you get discounts if you book more than one. They also run the OC Rocket. You can get discount coupons in the little books found in all the gas stations down there. http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/boatrides/duckaneer.html
My kids also like the water park Jolly Rogers splash mountain. We always eat some boardwalk fries and dippin dots.

 

[rbork]

Been going to OC for 30+ years now.
Ocean City not to miss things to do.
Here's our list:
Beach time (we stay for 8 hour stretches)under the umbrella with my ol'lady beach hat, primo beach chair and good book
Hit the boardwalk 2 or 3x's to people watch, play at Sportsland, get Dolly's fudge or popcorn, eat the BIG bucket of Thrashers drenched in vinegar, walk in ENTIRE boardwalk at dusk, check out the 'Jesus' creations infront of the Plim Plaza and ride bikes one morning too. We used to do Trimpers rides when the kid's were younger.
Mini Golf
Ice Cream at Dumser's
Outlets in DE
We don't go out for the Tourist Food anymore. lot's of fried stuff and drenched in butter. So no Phillips or Bonfire.
We do occasionally go to the following:
Dirty Harry's for breakfast
Bayside Skillet for brunch
Nantucket's or Mancini's for a nice dinner.

OH I almost forgot Bull on the Beach has a good happy hour. Went there for over a decade for it until they told us we couldn't sit in the bar area with the kid's. (No we weren't sitting them on a barstool) We used to sit at the tables in the bar area. So now we just do our own happy hour at our roof top pool overlooking bayside and the sunset.

We NEVER pay for parking. We always manage to find street parking in the little nooks and crannies.