Ocean City, NJ

[jendon1997]

We are considering a family vacation to Ocean City, NJ this summer. We have never been to this beach, only Ocean City MD. What is differences between MD and NJ. Any suggestions for hotels(we like beach front), restaurants, or things we must do. Will be myself, DH, DD6 and DD2. THANKS

 

[debbi801]

Ocean City, NJ is much more family friendly. It is a dry town, so you do not get the young partiers that you get in OC, MD.

I Ocean City, NJ. The first time I'd ever been to OC, MD was as an 18 yr old because we always went to Ocean City, NJ when I was growing up. As an adult, I still prefer the NJ beach over the MD one.

 

[Fitswimmer]

We spent two weeks there every summer from the time I was 16 until I was nearly 40! We usually rented a house, because we found it less expensive to have the full kitchen and eat some meals at home. My niece had every birthday down there from the time she was 1 until she was 16.
Your little ones will LOVE the Boardwalk, lots of rides sized just for them. With the dry town, you don't get the bars on the boardwalk. Very nice.
It's been a few years since I've been there, so some of the places we went to eat may not still be open. I know Mack and Manco's Pizza is still there though! Since a lot of people rent houses, the takeout business is huge there. There are several takeout seafood places, along with the usual Chinese and pizza. There's also a cute place called the Chatterbox, which reminds me of what the high school hangouts must have been like in the 50's. The other must have snack is carmel popcorn from Johnson's on the Boards-when you go, buy the container "open" and you'll have warm yummy popcorn to munch while the kids ride the rides! (you get more for your $$ that way too!) If you like jewelry, don't miss Henry's on the Boards,it's a great store with some really unique designs and quality items.

 

[Michelina]

We go every summer with DH's family and rent a house usually on Ocean Ave between 14th and 15th streets. It's nice to be so close to the boardwalk, it's about a half block away. Ocean City, NJ is very family oriented, a little too much for my taste. I'd prefer some more night life. There is a huge liquor store before you cross the bridge into Ocean City so you can stock up if you like to have drinks!

The kids love Wonderland Pier at the far north end of the Boardwalk, there are tons of fun kiddie rides. My favorite things are Mack & Mancos pizza, Mia's Christmas Shop and the new gelato shop that opened last year. We like to go to the movies too, the one theater renovated a few years ago and is pretty nice.

 

[MAKmom]

Ocean City NJ is big as far as the population & the Island. It is a dry town & you need to leave the island to eat at a good restaurant. Try Sea Isle or Avalon. The hotels in OC NJ are not like the ones in OC MD. You find more motel type places. On the Jersey Shore renting a house or condo is the way to go.

 

[jendon1997]

I'm hearing alot of people say to rent a house, any suggestions as to a specific area or a name.

 

[MAKmom]

I'm hearing alot of people say to rent a house, any suggestions as to a specific area or a name.

Next to OC south is Sea Isle _ Avalon_ Stone Harbor Love them all. You can google New Jersey rentals & see places online. Sea Isle is only about 4 blocks wide so you can walk to the beach from almost any place you stay & it has fabulous restaurants.

Oprah has a house in Avalon she is the local celebrity. It is " cooler by a mile" it is a mile wider than the rest of the islands. Stone Harbor has great shopping & small town charm.

 

[of the seas]

We are going to Ocean City for a couple days this summer too. Can anyone tell me if the Port O Call hotel is nice? Is it on the beach? thanks!

 

[Fitswimmer]

We are going to Ocean City for a couple days this summer too. Can anyone tell me if the Port O Call hotel is nice? Is it on the beach? thanks!

I haven't stayed there since 2001, but it is on the beach and was nice at that time.

 

[jx3smom]

I have lived here in OC almost my entire life. Love it!!! Port O Call is very nice. Another nice motel is the Impala on 10th and Ocean or the Tahiti on 13th. It's a half block from the boardwalk and rides. Avalon, Stone Harbor and Sea Isle are great but they really don't have a boardwalk or amusement piers. There are a ton of good restaurants thad do serve alcohol right over the bridges. Obidiah's and Yesterdays and Tuckahoe Inn are over the 34th Street Bridge and very easy to get to. Over 9th St. there is Crab Trap, and a ton of others. In OC there is a nice place on 4th and Boardwalk called Oves. They serve great breakfast and nice lunches and dinners. There are 2 amusement parks, Wonderland on 6th St. and Playland on 10th Street. Both even have some "older" kid rides. Ocean City also has a very nice downtown shopping area and Thursdays are Family days with clowns, face painting, etc. Mack and Manco is the best Pizza, Johnson's is the best caramel corn and Mallons on 14th and Bay is the best sticky buns. Please feel free to ask me any questions about OC.

 

[of the seas]

I have lived here in OC almost my entire life. Love it!!! Port O Call is very nice. Another nice motel is the Impala on 10th and Ocean or the Tahiti on 13th. It's a half block from the boardwalk and rides. Avalon, Stone Harbor and Sea Isle are great but they really don't have a boardwalk or amusement piers. There are a ton of good restaurants thad do serve alcohol right over the bridges. Obidiah's and Yesterdays and Tuckahoe Inn are over the 34th Street Bridge and very easy to get to. Over 9th St. there is Crab Trap, and a ton of others. In OC there is a nice place on 4th and Boardwalk called Oves. They serve great breakfast and nice lunches and dinners. There are 2 amusement parks, Wonderland on 6th St. and Playland on 10th Street. Both even have some "older" kid rides. Ocean City also has a very nice downtown shopping area and Thursdays are Family days with clowns, face painting, etc. Mack and Manco is the best Pizza, Johnson's is the best caramel corn and Mallons on 14th and Bay is the best sticky buns. Please feel free to ask me any questions about OC.

Thanks for all the info!!! I hope our family likes this Ocean City more than the one in Maryland. To much partying there! We went there in June and it was high school senior week-too many screaming teens!

 

[disneyred]

1.Any great breakfast places to go to with the kids??

2.How about any not to miss places to go for dinner besides the
famous pizza I keep hearing about ..

TIA.

 

[jx3smom]

There are quite a few breakfast places. Oves is on the boardwalk at 4th St. It is also a bike rental place. Chatterbox on 9th and Central has a good breakfast. Varsity Inn is on 8th Street between Wesley and Ocean. Port O Call has a nice Sunday brunch.

 

[jx3smom]

I forgot Uncle Bill's pancake house is good, too.

 

[N&B'smom]

Just saying hi, I grew up in OC and now live only 7 minutes away! You'll love it!! You've already gotten some good info so I think everyone else about covered all your questions!

Shelby