Ocean City, MD vs. Virginia Beach, VA

[MemoryMakers2669]

Can anyone compare the two? We are looking to have a quick three day get away at the beach. We are looking at OBX as well, but thinking we might stay a little closer.

I grew up going to OC and know it like my own hometown, love it there. Would like to try VA Beach though, but don't know much about it. Plus, I think it will be an easier drive for us.

We are going solely for playing on the beach really. Prices seem to be about the same for both for an ocean front room.

As a good DISers is, food is an issue too. In OC we have our MUST eats (Thrashers, Dough Roller, Phillips, etc). Do they have anything like that down there, any traditional places?

Thanks!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

So, noone here has an answer. I see so many people on these boards from this area. Is the VA Beach area a good one??

 

[sunlver]

Ive lived in Va Beach now for over 12 years. I really enjoy it here. A lot of people come here and visit over the summer. I do not know about the other city you mentioned as I have never been there.
Va beach, had nice beaches, tons of shopping, museums, tons of restaurants. Va Beach has something for everyone. Im sure, the other city does too. Sorry I could not help you more.

 

[koopa]

I can't really help you out on Ocean City, but I went to Va Beach in 2003. We stayed at a Best Western Oceanfront which was a nice hotel, but their bar would sometimes get loud at night on karaoke. Not loud as in revellers, it was just located in an area between the hotel and the ocean. With that being said, the ocean and boardwalk views were lovely. As for the food, we just liked to walk down the boardwalk and find a spot with outdoor dining. A lot of the hotels have restaurants. A Dairy Queen was nearby too. I liked the location of our hotel, because there was entertainment at a small area near the pier, which was a short walk away. Lots of places to rent bikes and a great place to roller blade in the morning when the boardwalk isn't so crowded. Another place to eat was to drive down the beach road to Rudee Inlet where they had some restaurants (Dirty Dicks Crab House for example) with water views.

The kids loved the beach and the aquarium. Only stayed for a couple of days. Never been to Ocean City, but I hope this helps you a little.

 

[Christine]

I've been to both and prefer O.C. Unfortunately, I can't explain why. It could just be the familiarity of O.C. as I grew up there. O.C. is like a smaller "beach" town whereas Virginia Beach seems larger, has a larger local population and seems more "town" than "beachy" to me.

You will probably have a nice time at either beach though.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Thanks for all the comments! We have decided on VA Beach I think. We can have a oceanfront hotel, with oceanfront view for SO much less! That is what I want the most really, so we will give it a try.

Now, the boardwalk there, what does it have to offer? Is it mostly shops, restaurants? Do they have a game and ride area? Are there lots of mini golf places around?

 

[lindalinda]

Just an OT question. Can you surf at Va Beach. My boy likes to surf, and I was wondering if the surf is good for that there.

 

[BillSears]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to both but here is how I see it.

The Ocean City tourist area seems alot bigger. The OC Boardwalk is bigger and has more shops and attractions on it. The enitre stretch of beachfront with hotels and condos past the boardwalk in OC seems to be longer also. OC seems like it's more of a touristy area/tourist trap and I like that. It seems to me like there's alot more to do there.

Virginia Beach is nice. The Boardwalk here has a more "dignified" air about it and it's alot shorter. The boardwalk is lined with hotels and not shops, instead all of the shops are on the street behind the boardwalk hotels. I feel that Virginia Beach seems to stretch inland alot more then OC. It's a real town with the Naval base nearby.

I guess its a matter of opinion but I like Ocean City more for a fun time and Virginia Beach for a relaxing time.

 

[BillSears]

Now, the boardwalk there, what does it have to offer? Is it mostly shops, restaurants? Do they have a game and ride area? Are there lots of mini golf places around?

From what I remember the boardwalk is mostly hotels some of which have restaurants. They don't have a game or ride area. I think they do have a fair amount of miniture golf courses on the roads that are just inland from the boardwalk.

Everytime I go to OC I walk the entire boardwalk from beginning to end. The Virginia Beach boardwalk reminds me of the parts of the OC boardwalk at the end away from the active end of the boardwalk. It's peaceful and nice but boring compared to the active end.

 

[koopa]

Just an OT question. Can you surf at Va Beach. My boy likes to surf, and I was wondering if the surf is good for that there.

I don't surf, but in my opinion, I think you'd be better to drive 2 1/2 hours south to the Outer Banks area of North Carolina. Lot of unspoiled beach south of Nags Head in the National Seashore area. Water is warmer too (Usually around the upper 90s to low 70s). We saw a lot more surfers in Nags Head than Virginia Beach, and the same applies for fishing. Who knows, try both, Va Beach and Nags Head are on the same route.

 

[koopa]

Now, the boardwalk there, what does it have to offer? Is it mostly shops, restaurants? Do they have a game and ride area? Are there lots of mini golf places around?

I don't remember any mini golf or ride areas on the boardwalk or on the beachfront road. I'm sure mini golf is close. We ended up driving to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for the rides. Have fun.

 

[tiggerlover]

I can't comment on Ocean City as I have never been there, but Virginia Beach is where I've lived for the past 2 years. We came here as a military family and loved it so we decided to stay when DH retired. Virginia Beach is huge and is broken down into many area's, the resort strip being the area you would be visiting. In my mind the strip is broken down into three main area's running approximately 3 miles long. You have the boardwalk area where most of your hotels face the ocean (there are lots of restaurants, a bike path and walking path), the other side of the hotel fronts Atlantic Avenue where you find all of the shops and restaurants, then the next parallel street is Pacific Avenue. There is an amusement area on the strip with some rides as well as some others between Atlantic and Pacific. There are several mini golf places on Pacific, with Jungle Golf being our favorite (http://www.junglegolf.com/) There is another one across the street from this one, the name escapes me at this moment and it is fun too, they even have a rock climbing wall. Also a short distance from the beach is Motor World (http://www.vbmotorworld.com/) they have two 18 hole golf course, motor cars, paint ball, bumper boats, a sky coaster, climbing wall and gravity storm to name a few and they are adjacent to Ocean Breeze Water Park (http://www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com/) which is adjacent to the aquarium (http://www.vmsm.com/). Try this web site for information on upcoming beach events (http://www.beacheventsfun.com/). There are tons of restaurants, some good, some mediocre in my opinion. Lots to do and Busch Gardens is about an hour away.

Hope this information helps, if you need to know anything else I will try and help you out.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Thanks so much tiggerlover! So, the boardwalk, is just that, a board you walk on? Nothing exciting going on there?

And the area with amusement rides and such, is there parking there, that is easy to deal with?

Not sure what we are going to do. DH can't get passed his Thrashers fries, so only wants to go to OC...just for that. I don't want all the traffic though, which brings up the next question...are the streets packed around the beach resorts area?

 

[hiwaygal]

I don't want all the traffic though, which brings up the next question...are the streets packed around the beach resorts area?

to answer your question...YES!

I've never been to OC, so I'm not sure...but the greater Hampton Roads area of Virginia is notorious for bad traffic...not just at the beach, but the interstate getting there (the tunnels, primarily).

 

[Christine]

O.C. is not as "trafficky" as Virginia Beach. Remember, VA Beach is a very large area/town and more people. O.C. does has it traffic, but it is confined to certain hours on a portion of Coastal Highway.

 

[BillSears]

So, the boardwalk, is just that, a board you walk on? Nothing exciting going on there?

Yep that's it. Just a boardwalk with some hotels on it. It's like the area north of the Kite Loft on the OC boardwalk. It's nice but it's very boring compared to the south end of the OC boardwalk. If you're like me and love the carnival atmosphere of the south end of the OC boardwalk then you'll be pretty bored with the Virginia Beach boardwalk.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Well shoot! I guess we will just stick with OC after all. I am worried about getting to VA Beach, having to go down the Interstates, in the afternoon. We won't have any issues going to OC when we are heading that way at least.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[SillyMe]

Well shoot! I guess we will just stick with OC after all. I am worried about getting to VA Beach, having to go down the Interstates, in the afternoon. We won't have any issues going to OC when we are heading that way at least.

Thanks for all the help guys!

If you decide to stay in OC and have some extra time, I recommend taking a day and heading up to Rehoboth Beach. There are tons of outlets and Rehoboth Avenue is such a beautiful, quaint shopping area. It's only about a 45 minute drive.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

We know the whole area there, Bethany and Rehoboth Beach, since we are from this area (Marylanders originally, until a few years ago). I can't find anything in either of those places though, or we would have just stayed up there. I want to be ON the beach though.

 

[keishashadow]

We know the whole area there, Bethany and Rehoboth Beach, since we are from this area (Marylanders originally, until a few years ago). I can't find anything in either of those places though, or we would have just stayed up there. I want to be ON the beach though.

We think alike. I was so depressed after last trip to WDW, I'm in the process of planning a 3 day getaway to OC too for the beginning of August.

I cannot believe the prices of the hotels, or the fact that most are sold out for our dates! Just cannot bring myself to pay $300/$400 night for a room in a motel, even though it's OF. I'm used to MyrtleBeach where, if you look hard enough, you can secure a room @ a resort for around $100.

I decided upon the Plim Plaza on BW & 2nd street. It's location was described to me as being the building with the flashing red light on it's roof right off US 50. Trip Advisor gave it mostly positive remarks. We were looking for a place to park it & leave it. Seems like it's right in the thick of things...hopefully, not too wild & crazy; although they tell me there's a band that plays every night poolside until 1:00 a.m.

We haven't been to OC in over 14 years, usually stay far north in the 80's/100 block. Have been searching for websites as to activites/restaurants but, haven't found anything. All that I remember is Big Peckers Bar/Grill (yep, we got shirts but,never had the nerve to wear them LOL) & we ate somewhere on the bayside that had a giant steer in front. Would like to eat @ least 1 buffet & a steak place during our trip - any recommendations in area we'll be staying in? The hotel does have a buffet (Paul Revere's for $9.99 but, imagine it's basic, @ best for that price).

Don't want to hijack your thread but, have a few questions...does traffic stack up coming into or out of OC @ any particular time. Basically, I'm trying to avoid a mass rush in or out of town.

Look forward to all suggestions as to dining, activites, etc.