Ocean City MD or Wildwood NJ

[MamaLema]

We are a Canadian family of 5 with 3 teens. We have been to Wildwood NJ and enjoyed it. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two in terms of the boardwalk, beach, etc. We like the beach, exploring little shops and just getting to know the area.

Thanks

 

[mjkacmom]

We are a Canadian family of 5 with 3 teens. We have been to Wildwood NJ and enjoyed it. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two in terms of the boardwalk, beach, etc. We like the beach, exploring little shops and just getting to know the area.

Thanks

Definitely Wildwood with teens. The Boardwalk area is much bigger, with much better rides. You are only a few minutes from lovely Cape May. We prefer Wildwood Crest, right in between. With younger kids, we like the Boardwalk better during the week - there can be an element there on weekends (better than seaside, though).

 

[Tiggeroo]

Do you think about Ocean City, NJ. It is easier here to let teens just go off on their own for the evening.

 

[Imzadi]

Do you think about Ocean City, NJ. It is easier here to let teens just go off on their own for the evening.

I'm thinking the OP meant Ocean City, NJ not MD if she's referring to Wildwood. Ocean City, MD isn't even in the same state. People often don't realize there are TWO Ocean Cities and get the two confused.

I prefer Ocean City (NJ) to Wildwood. Wildwood always has a bit if a seedy element to me. Whereas Ocean city is safer & cleaner. And yes, if you want to keep an eye out on a teen, smaller, in this case, is better.

 

[LBIJim]

Are you from Quebec province? If so, I'm glad you already fulfilled your duty to visit Wildwood at least once in your life.

For teens, the Wildwood Boardwalk (with a Capital B) will be Nirvana. It blows away anything Ocean City, MD, can offer by far. For adults, Ocean City (either MD or NJ) is better for exploring little shops. Either place offers enough of both to satisfy most families, however.

Beaches are about the same. But most of Wildwood's beach is TOO big

 

[DisneySOS]

Since I live in NJ we prefer Ocean City, MD. It feels like more of a vacation for us. We try to go every couple of years.
Ocean City, NJ is very nice too, but not as much to do. When staying there I use free comps and stay in Atlantic City and go to the beach during the day. That's only because I live about an hour away.
If you go to Wildwood you should stay in Wildwood Crest for sure. Better for families.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Our family went to Wildwood, nearly every summer, for many years. Then it started to get a bit "iffy" so we began visiting Ocean City, NJ. Ocean City is a dry town, so there's a very different atmosphere. No bars, no clubs. Lots of little shops on both the boardwalk and in town. Sounds like your family may enjoy Ocean City!

 

[klo1335]

We prefer Ocean City, NJ to Wildwood or Ocean City, MD. There are amusements for teens and then small shops and restaurants for adults. we won't be making a trip this summer due to the Disney trip and I don't get enough vacation time for both While I am excited about Disney, we will miss OCNJ. I would search for houses soon because they tend to fill up fast.

 

[DisneySOS]

We prefer Ocean City, NJ to Wildwood or Ocean City, MD. There are amusements for teens and then small shops and restaurants for adults. we won't be making a trip this summer due to the Disney trip and I don't get enough vacation time for both While I am excited about Disney, we will miss OCNJ. I would search for houses soon because they tend to fill up fast.

Be VERY careful about renting a house anywhere on the NJ Shore. Many people are still dealing with serious issues from Hurricane Sandy even though it was 2 1/2 year ago. (I still know several families in my own town that have yet to get back into their homes.) Some still have that weird smell.

Not trying to scare you away from NJ at all - just make sure you deal with a reputable company. I hate that some people have no problem renting musty smelling homes with mold and water damage to unsuspecting travelers. (Karma will deal with them!)

 

[shelly3girls]

Sandy did not really affect Ocean City, NJ. Our house, 2 blocks from the beach, received no damage at all. Those closer to the bay received minimal damage. I am not saying there wasn't any damage but I would not worry about renting any house there. Our friends in Wildwood had a similar experience.

We love OC, NJ compared to Wildwood especially for the teens. I don't worry about them out at night and they have plenty to do. Wildwood Crest is also very nice. I do not like the size of the beach in Wildwood and you need to be very careful not to schedule to be there during any major sports event (beach sports tournaments) as the area is a mad house!

 

[disneydee6]

I have vacationed at Ocean City MD as a teen. Not much of a nightlife for teens, mostly because the nicer places to stay require getting driven to the boardwalk. Most of the places to 'do' things there require being over 21 (Seacrets...aw yea!). The food in Ocean City, MD is awesome, if you do go the Crabcake Factory is my personal favorite, harpoon hanna's is also great.

Wildwood/OC NEW JERSEY is I think, geared more to teens.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I like both just fine for different reasons, but Wildwood is tiny. You can walk from the very end of the boardwallk, down all the blocks of Wildwood, and then through Wildwood Crest, all the way to the end, in less than an hour, no problem. It has a very small town feel and we felt like it was very limited in restaurant options, and there isn't much to do outside of the rides on the boardwalk. All of the motels are VERY old, so no high rises.

Ocean City is hundreds of blocks, much more real estate, things to do, restaurants, golf, candy shops, etc. Plus Bethany and Rehoboth are like an extension of OC. If you are staying in one for a week, it's easy to go to the others. They EACH have their own boardwalk. Rehoboth is a pretty small beach and boardwalk area compared to OC, MD, and I still think it alone is bigger than Wildwood, NJ. Rehoboth has great rides as well.

I have been to both every year for the last 4 years and I'm not sure what people are seeing in Wildwood that is "more to do" than Ocean City. I feel like it is infinitely smaller!

 

[Christine]

I have vacationed at Ocean City MD as a teen. Not much of a nightlife for teens, mostly because the nicer places to stay require getting driven to the boardwalk. Most of the places to 'do' things there require being over 21 (Seacrets...aw yea!). The food in Ocean City, MD is awesome, if you do go the Crabcake Factory is my personal favorite, harpoon hanna's is also great.

Wildwood/OC NEW JERSEY is I think, geared more to teens.

One thing I like about OC/MD for older teens is the bus service. You can be in a condo up at the North end and let your teens take the bus to and from the boardwalk. Very cheap and safe.

 

[mjkacmom]

Wildwood has a similar trolly service from wildwood crest, great for teens to take to the boardwalk. I've never been to OC, Maryland, I thought the OP was referring to NJ.

 

[Christine]

Wildwood has a similar trolly service from wildwood crest, great for teens to take to the boardwalk. I've never been to OC, Maryland, I thought the OP was referring to NJ.

I was responding to disneydee who goes to OC/MD but says there's not much for teens to do without being driven everywhere.

 

[disneydee6]

One thing I like about OC/MD for older teens is the bus service. You can be in a condo up at the North end and let your teens take the bus to and from the boardwalk. Very cheap and safe.

You're right! I forgot about the bus