Ocean City MD Never been , need advice

[roliepolieoliefan]

OK our friends who do EVERYTHING at the last minute have just decided they are going to OC, 4th of July week.
They wanted us to go in with them and rent a condo or house. Well, surprise, since they waited until the last minute all the nicer on the cheaper side places are gone.

We just took the kids on a Fantasy DCL this past April so another few thousand for a vaca was out of the question.

They decided on a cheaper place on the bay, and we said maybe we can drive down and stay at a hotel for 3 nights and hook up with them. Our kids are the same age and get along great.

Well again we are at slim pickins" . I was looking at the Princess Royale, Rodeway Inn and the Flagship Oceanfront.

But holy crap these places are expensive. I know its a holiday week but gees.
I've heard OC isn't that nice and its wild and crazy with alot of drinking young kids.

Is this true? I know it will be crowded 4th of July week but will it be unbearable crowded? Any suggestions on the hotels?

Plus I'm not trying to be snooty but our kids have never seen an American beach. We have gone to WDW almost every year since DS was 2 , he's 14 now and any beach vacation was to the Carribean.

Would you go or take them to Niagara Falls as we originally planned?

 

[vicki_c]

I would pass on an hugely-expensive-last-minute-Ocean-City-during-4th-of-July invitation.

No problem with OC in general, but I wouldn't do this.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I would pass on an hugely-expensive-last-minute-Ocean-City-during-4th-of-July invitation.

No problem with OC in general, but I wouldn't do this.

Because of the crowds?

 

[Madison'smommy]

I grew up there, and it isnt the same as it was when we were kids... Especially if money is an issue... I would also skip out on going during this particular week.

 

[dthogue]

We love Ocean Citry - go every year, but only for a few days (that's enough for us). We stay at the Dunes Motel - at the end of the Boardwalk at 28th Street. Clean, basic hotel, oceanfront. We are going this coming week and paying 137/night for a pool side room. Prices are higher on weekends and holidays.

We have never been during there during 4th of July week, but I can imagine it will be crowded, especially if the weather is nice. Personally, I would avoid going this week.

In all the years we have gone, we have never encounter wild and crazy kids or anyone drinking excessively. The beach is cleaned every night and the boardwalk is well maintained. I wouldn't hestitate suggesting you vacation there as a family.

Niagara Falls is also a great family vacation - that would be my choice over beach.

 

[lilsk8nmac]

Ocean city is a nice place to go. As far as the week you are planning on going, expect to sit in lots of fun traffic and the boardwalk will be a wall of people. As far as drunk young people go...no, havent seen this either and the beach is cleaned like a previous poster has said.

Edit***

This is the DBF of this user. I used to live outside of OCMD for a period of time. That week is absolutely one of the worst of the summer to visit. Yes, everything is super expensive for lodging. The boardwalk WILL be a wall of people as stated. Traffic is a nightmare, if you do go, ride the bus, $2 for the whole day and you can get packs for the entire week. A beach day in OC, depending on where you stay varies. If you plan on doing major restaurants there, you need to get off the beach early as everyone flocks to these places at 4-5pm. If you possibly plan on visiting Seacrets (restaurant and night club) be sure to observe the rules. There is NO SPORTS clothing allowed inside. You will be stopped and asked to change before trying to enter. As I see you're from Pittsburgh, you would like the Salty Dog Saloon, it's a Steeler bar in OCMD. The Green Turtle, Bull on the Beach, Hooters, etc are all there as well, but you need to get there early.

If you're looking for something more low key, you could always look at staying in Fenwick, DE or Bethany Beach, DE. Both are just over the border north on Route 1. They're more family oriented and it's less hustle and bustle. If you'd like any more info, please just pm with questions and I'll be happy to answer!!!

 

[mrodgers]

My opinion of Ocean City differs than the above 2. Yes, the beach and boardwalk is cleaned overnight every night, but not very well. It is still a filthy place.

That said, there's a lot to see on the boardwalk (especially Trasher's French Fries .) But by evening, you will be walking in all the garbage and dropped food littering the boardwalk. People are pigs and there is no cleanup until early the following morning.

As for the kids drinking, the upper end of the boardwalk there will be a lot of 20something "kids" at the boardwalk hotels hanging out on the boardwalk drinking, sure. I didn't experience them to be roudy though. Just 20somethings hanging out drinking beer.

I went to Ocean City every year from the time I was 3 until I was 15 when my parents decided to try Myrtle Beach. Wow what a difference that was in cleanliness and cost. Then a couple of years ago, I took my family for a quick long weekend to OC. Just as dirty and expensive as it was when I remember as a kid.

The OC trip was a last minute thing for us. We ended up in a complete dump across the road from the beach for 2 nights which cost us about $400. It was a disgusting room. Myrtle Beach we were 6 nights in a clean ocean front 2 room suite sitting out eating breakfast on the balcony watching the dolphins swim by for $500. OC was late August after prices start to drop and Myrtle was in mid June just before prices start to rise. Ocean temp in June at Myrtle was far warmer and nicer than OC in August. OC still fairly cold (somewhat tolerable) and Myrtle was direct walkin like bathwater warm. Ocean water is a lot clearer in Myrtle than OC as well.

Needless to say, I will never go to OC again. It isn't worth twice the cost to travel 4 hours less. I too am from the "City of Champions" area (little further north.)

 

[wvulion]

I have been going to OC every summer for about thirty years. We stay at the Dunes Manor or Dunes Motel at the end of the boardwalk. I have been on the 4th of July twice and didn't mind the crowds as much as I thought I would. I also like to visit the Boardwalk on my bike every morning when it isn't crowded at all. There are tradeoffs however for going on the 4th--there are increased prices, but there are also free movies on the beach, last time a free concert by the US Navy Band as well, free fireworks, etc. You just have to decide if its worth it for you. I'm not sure why people don't like OC, MD, but I have spent time on Waikiki, the North Shore of Hawaii, Maui, a private island in the Carribbean, and the Gulf, and I still go to OC every summer because there's something special about it. Tip: if it's too bustling for you, head across to the Bridge to the Bay Side, north to Rehobeth, or out to Berlin (where they filmed the Runaway Bride movie)--the crowds vanish no matter what time of year it is. Also check out the Francis Scott Key motel across the bridge (they run a free shuttle to the beach) for something a little cheaper. Just my thoughts....

 

[The Princess]

We used to go to OC every year when my kids were younger. The hotels/condos are very expensive...it was just cheaper for us to go somewhere else (even wdw). While we did have great family vacations there it was just time for us to "move on"
There is no other boardwalk like it!! Never really saw drunk kids.
4th of July week is very very crowded!!

 

[Schmoodle]

We are in OC every summer at least once and almost always there the week of July 4th. It's fun as there's lots of extra stuff going on for the holiday, but there are lots of people. We focus on beach time and always have a good time, but if you don't already have a place lined up it is going to be expensive. And if you are going to try to eat out, hit the boardwalk, etc., expect crowds and traffic. Last year we needed a second condo, so I rented kind of last minute. It was not luxurious, but was right on the beach, clean, reasonably priced, and slept about 10 people comfortably. If you are interested, PM me and I'll find the rental info.

If you are down near the boardwalk, there is more partying, farther North and it gets much quieter (and the beach less crowded). We don't usually have a problem with this.
I love bayside too, as you're never too far to walk to the beach, and the sunset views over the bay are gorgeous. I think the beach is fine.

 

[nchulka]

We visited OC once and had a great time. We did not stay in the city, but in the surrounding area. We camped on the beach with wild horses running around and it was awesome! We drove into OC one night to do the boardwalk/amusements. It was a wonderful trip. Here is a link to camping with the horses, right on the beach at Assateague Island

http://www.assateagueisland.com/assateague_camping.htm

 

[sharon_wv]

We love Ocean City, MD. And we usually do our week's vacation there over the 4th of July. Is it crowded? Absolutely, but for people watchers it's awesome! Is the beach crowded? Depends on where you stay. If you stay at one of the 12 floor condos or hotel, yes, it will be blanket to blanket on the beach because there's only so much beachfront in front of that huge building, right?

During the fireworks, traffic is ridiculous, but the fireworks are lots of fun. They have them down on the boardwalk (with a concert and all), and also have them at Northside Park up around 128th street. There is also lots of activities in the park the day of the fireworks.

We're not doing our weeklong vacation this year since we did Disney last week. If you can find a place, go for it, as long as you don't go into debt. You will have a great time.

We've stayed at Castle in the Sand (37th street) , and the Marigot Condiminiums (100th street), as well as the Carousel (117th Street). When we were young and broke we stayed at a place on 127th street called the Sea Hawk that was cheap, but clean (at least it was about 10 years ago).

BTW.. I totally disagree with the PP who said that OC is dirty and nasty. It's not at all. Everyone has their personal opinion. We tried Myrtle Beach once about 6 years ago, and we really didn't like it at all. It all depends on what you enjoy.

Good luck making your decision.

 

[mikehn]

There isnt anything cheap about vacationing in OC, and especially not during the 4th. Lodging prices are killer expensive and the hotels are no where near the quality accomodations you get in Orlando, not even close. OC isn't the party town it used to be. They've cleaned it up and it is one of the most restrictive beaches in the country. Alcohol consumption and open containers are not allowed in public, not on the beach, not on the streets, not in your parked car, not anywhere in public. Unless you plan to drive during mid-week, the traffic Sat and Sun before and after the 4th will be madness. The entire mid-atlantic region will converge onto four lanes of route 50 leading in and out of Maryland's eastern shore.

Having said all that, it is still a great time and I still enjoy going. And the road trip is part of the fun. There are miles and miles of beach and all the great sights, sounds, food and drink are a great time.

 

[jeepgirl30]

DH worked at OC over a summer in college. We go with a group of our college friends almost every summer. We were set to skip this year but DH couldn't resist! Plus our kids 9 and 12 really wanted to go.

We go either 4th week or week after. We normally stay at a friend's condo but it was already accounted for with our other friends by the time we decided to go. Luckily another friend's which is next door opened so we are staying there. It is bayside.

I love ocean front but bayside has benefits too, the sunsets are amazing.

OC has a lot of negatives but positives as well. We normally head to the beach early and setup with muliple families so we have a large space all staked out. We've never found it over crowded.

I do think you'll spend more in Niagra, maybe not hotels but food and other things. OC has some decent family restaurants. We love Dead Freddie's, Da Lazy Lizard, BJs on the Water, Mackey's, etc. I think they are all very reasonable and kid friendly.

It is far from classy resort area but its a fun family summer vacation spot.

 

[Missytara]

I would pass on an hugely-expensive-last-minute-Ocean-City-during-4th-of-July invitation.

No problem with OC in general, but I wouldn't do this.

Ditto; I live in Delaware and we go to the beaches in the fall and spring. To pay that much in the summertime and hit the crowds is too much.

In addition, once you get off Route 1 and start back on Rt. 13, it is only two lanes/three lanes on each side and there is massive gridlock.

If you don't have reservations for dinner, you end up waiting hours for a table to open up, if at all. I have had friends come all the way back up to Dover to eat; our restaurants are dead every weekend because everyone goes to the beach.

Their streets are crowded; the beaches are crowded; the bars overflow - If you are anywhere near Secrets, there are usually people overflowing out into the streets until all hours of the night.

 

[vicki_c]

Ditto; I live in Delaware and we go to the beaches in the fall and spring. To pay that much in the summertime and hit the crowds is too much.

In addition, once you get off Route 1 and start back on Rt. 13, it is only two lanes/three lanes on each side and there is massive gridlock.

If you don't have reservations for dinner, you end up waiting hours for a table to open up, if at all. I have had friends come all the way back up to Dover to eat; our restaurants are dead every weekend because everyone goes to the beach.

Their streets are crowded; the beaches are crowded; the bars overflow - If you are anywhere near Secrets, there are usually people overflowing out into the streets until all hours of the night.

Yes, I never answered OP's questions about why I said what I did - but it was some of this. Mainly the price though. We did a spur of the moment weeknight trip to Rehoboth a few summers ago and our hotel - which was like an older version of a Disney moderate at best - okay, but nothing great - about 2 blocks from the beach - was around $250/night. And that was a week night. And at the last minute, it was literally all we could find and it wasn't a holiday. OC is actually more crowded than Rehoboth, so that's what I had in mind when I wrote.

 

[Msmit002]

Well, I live in MD, and if my family wants to go to the beach, we go anywhere else but OC.

As for the drunk teens - that's only one time of the year: Senior Week, which, incidentally, is more like Senior MONTH. Basically, all of June when the high school students have recently graduated. You will be fin come July 4th. No more drunk teens, just drunk adults. But no more than any other beach community.

Why don't we go to OC? Why do we drive elsewhere like OBX or even the Jersey Shore? Well, money is one. For the same amount of money you would spend for a teeny tiny hotel room (think smaller than the typical Disney moderate) I can get a whole house in the two above mentioned locales. Next, Traffic. I've liven in MD since 1984 and there is still only one way to get across Maryland's eastern shore for OC (getting to Delaware beaches is another story.)

If you go with friends who are staying bayside, be prepared to walk FAR to get to the beach - and have to cross Coastal Highway which is treacherous if you are loaded down with beach gear and/or children. Driving over to the beach side and finding parking will be fruitless during July 4 week.

I probably sound awfully negative, but I honestly think you can do better. If you decide to go to OC, pick a better time to visit.

ETA: On the rare times we DO go to OC, we usually stay in North Ocean City and drive down to the boardwalk when we want to go there. NOC is a lot less hectic.

 

[FaerieFire]

I have to say I like the area enough that I moved to the Ocean City area and am raising my son here. That said, I do NOT live IN O.C., though I have worked there, and during the summer I don't think I'd want to live there. However, that doesn't make it a bad place to visit during the summer.

My recommendation to someone coming down with kids during the summer would be to stay in North O.C., or better yet, in Delaware, in Fenwick, Bethany or Rehoboth. By Fourth of July, the "Junebugs" — mostly recent high school grads — are gone. But O.C. has a huge number of people in that week (two weekends this year), and there is lots of drinking going on, especially the closer you get to the Inlet. (I'm surprised people consider it dirty. They do what I consider a pretty good job keeping it clean, but kids spill ice cream and adults drop french fries, and this not Disney, with constant litter patrols — but then where else is?)

What you really want to do is stay in Delaware and drive down for a day on the beach or a special dinner in the evening (preferably at an earlier or later hour than usual).

With young kids, Rehoboth's amusement park is really as good as O.C.'s, but it also has some rides for adults and older kids, without the parking and crowd nightmares of O.C. Hit the O.C. attractions at off hours, start the evening early in Rehoboth with the amusement park or mini-golf, shop at Rehoboth's outlet shops, go to Fenwick's water park and mini-golf when the beach crowds are the worst. Consider Bethany for a Fourth of July parade and fireworks. I personally prefer Bethany to Rehoboth for beachgoing, and both to O.C. (South Bethany is best if you're renting there, but no real parking or bathhouse facilities for the public.)

A hotel, motel or condo/house rental isn't going to be cheap anywhere around here during the summer. You could look at a place like Bear Trap in Ocean View, which has a beach shuttle to Bethany, as well as golf and a pool, but is likely to be less expensive as it is a couple miles from the beach and is mostly full-time and part-time residents and not so many renters. There are a ton of rental agencies in the area, and if you give them a call, I'm sure they can find a place you could rent for a few days, though 4th of July week is harder. The fallback for hotels is Bethany is the Holiday Inn, just a block off the beach. Fenwick also has a couple of hotels a block from the beach. Bethany also has the Westward Pines motel, which is just a handful of rooms three blocks off the beach.

Bottom line, if you want quieter, more family-friendly, go to the Delaware beaches. You won't find anything at a bargain price in the summer, but if you expand your search area, you may find a place at a reasonable cost. And then you can do most of the O.C. offerings with a short drive, and avoid the busiest times when you so choose. And if you want to see the area at its best, consider a visit in late spring (late May into June) or early fall (late August or early September are best) (Choose fall if you want to swim).