Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach???

[krcit]

Hi. we are in the midst of trying to plan our mini-summer vacation. We always go away with another family and have gone to Hershey, Pa a million times. This year we'd like to do something a little differant. we're tossing around the idea of Ocean City, MD or Rehoboth Beach. Anyone have any opinions or suggestions for us. We are a group of 10, 4 adults and 6 kids, ages 5-11. We live on Long Island and want something under a bout a 6 hour drive since it'll only be for 3 or 4 nights. We did Lakre George last year and enjoyed it but want something new. Thanks in advance for any ideas. I really appreciate it.

 

[Mercy]

Well, since I'm a Maryland gal, I've been to Ocean City a bazillion times. If you just going for 3-4 days, I would say try Ocean City. They have a really long boardwalk, there are tons of hotels, and places to eat.

We now rent a house in Bethan Beach, DE, which is between OC and Rehobeth but we go for 2 weeks. Rehoboth is smaller, and a little more laid back, they have lots of outlets in Rehoboth.

 

[Christine]

Both places are nice. My personal preference is Ocean City but probably for the same reason as Mercy. I have a lot of childhood memories. I think they've done a wonderful job sprucing up the boardwalk over the past few years and the downtown area. I think it is more "young kid" friendly (kisd love all the *excitement* at OC). If it were an all-adult trip I might be inclined to tell you Rehobeth.

I think you will have a great time at either place.

Bethany is also a good choice because you get the "quiet" but you are close to OC for the night life. I think it's tough to get short rentals there, though.

 

[KelNottAt]

This Marylander votes for Rehobeth Beach, Delaware.

IMO, OCMD's beach is too narrow and the resort has become over-priced, over-commercialized, over-crowded, over-crowded, and over-crowded. (And this comes from someone whose family has owned property there for 100 years.)

Go to the Delaware beaches. I think they're much more quaint and peaceful. You won't find as many attractions like amusement parks and go-karts, etc, but you will find R&R. Plus, if you want anything Rehobeth doesn't offer, OC is just a few miles away.

I hardly ever go to OC anymore, and I'll never go if I have to pay $$ for the experience. JMHO.

 

[SillyMe]

I like both. We go to OC every year and on our way home we usually spend our last day in RB shopping. It depends on what you're looking for. If you want a more relaxing vacation, I'd say Rehoboth. Rehoboth is more laid back and nicer than OC. If you're looking for more excitement, then OC is the place to go. Personally I prefer RB for myself, but my kids love OC, so that's where we're staying again this year.

 

[Christine]

Do you all really like the RB outlets? I went up there one day (while at OC--it was raining ) and I thought they kind of sucked. But, I may be jaded. I live 5 minutes from Potomac Mills. I just thought that the RB outlets were lame.

 

[jennobrn01]

Ok so I am very biased having been bred, born, raised, and still living in the wonderful area of the Delaware beaches.

Rehoboth.

Small town, nostalgic, Americana, traditional East Coast boardwalk. Locals are super-nice. Especially the locals that have always lived here. Tax-free shopping is a plus for tourists as well.

If you want an even more peaceful beach experience try Bethany Beach. The boardwalk is not as nice as Rehoboth, but many tourists like the feel of Bethany.

OC is a madhouse. A week there can cost as much as a week at wdw.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Rehoboth is a lot quieter and more low key. They have a wonderful amusement park for little kids on the boardwalk. Ocean City is "glitzier." My teenagers would prefer OC but we went to Rehoboth when they were little.

They are both nice places but just for different styles. My personal choice, stay in Rehoboth and drive into OC for one evening.

Looks like I agree with sillyme.

 

[krcit]

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! I looked up the Holiday Inn in OC and it was $400 a night!!!!!!! Yikes. I really hate crowds so looks like Rehoboth would be a better option for us. Anyone know any nice hotels-we really like hotels better than motels or rentals. Thanks

 

[MagicalMom]

Do you all really like the RB outlets? I went up there one day (while at OC--it was raining ) and I thought they kind of sucked. But, I may be jaded. I live 5 minutes from Potomac Mills. I just thought that the RB outlets were lame.

I Love the Disney Outlet! If you give them your address they will send you coupons.

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! I looked up the Holiday Inn in OC and it was $400 a night!!!!!!! Yikes. I really hate crowds so looks like Rehoboth would be a better option for us. Anyone know any nice hotels-we really like hotels better than motels or rentals. Thanks

In January DH & I stayed at the Boardwalk Plaza. It was really nice, but I'm not sure of their summer prices.

 

[MELISAZACK]

We have had property there for 19 yrs now in OC md that is...It might be crowed but well worth it...much more for kids to do...Rehobeth is very slow and laid back and nothing much to do but shopping - great for older folks..
but not kids.... ---babies yes but those who like to do things like water slides rides - golf- go carts oc is the way to go.

 

[SillyMe]

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! I looked up the Holiday Inn in OC and it was $400 a night!!!!!!! Yikes. I really hate crowds so looks like Rehoboth would be a better option for us. Anyone know any nice hotels-we really like hotels better than motels or rentals. Thanks

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Rehoboth, but that's on Route 1. It's not close enough to the beach for me. When we stayed there it was because our main purpose was to shop at the Outlets and it's right by the outlets. Here is a link for some suites in RB, but I've never stayed there, so I don't know if it's nice or not. http://www.brightonsuites.com/

I just booked the Holiday Inn in OC, but I'm sharing the suite with a friend of mine, and splitting the cost. There are other hotels there that are cheaper. We stayed at the Bonita Beach last year. It's Oceanblock, new and less expensive. It doesn't have a restaurant or bar in it though.

 

[Christine]

My cousin owns a condo in OC so she's up there every weekend. She tells me that the new Hilton is opening in June and she said it looks absolutely beautiful.

 

[SillyMe]

My cousin owns a condo in OC so she's up there every weekend. She tells me that the new Hilton is opening in June and she said it looks absolutely beautiful.

OMG, I'd be in my glory if I could spend every weekend at the beach. Would she like to adopt me??

 

[Christine]

OMG, I'd be in my glory if I could spend every weekend at the beach. Would she like to adopt me??

Only if you're paying!!

She's always loved Ocean City and, I'm telling you, it has been her lifelong dream to own property there. Finally, about 3 years ago, she got herself a little one bedroom condo. Her kids are out of the house now and she doesn't have a lot of responsibility, so she just goes up every weekened. Even in the winter. Her husband quit his job at Safeway and is now a realtor in OC, while she stays back here and works.

 

[SillyMe]

Only if you're paying!!

She's always loved Ocean City and, I'm telling you, it has been her lifelong dream to own property there. Finally, about 3 years ago, she got herself a little one bedroom condo. Her kids are out of the house now and she doesn't have a lot of responsibility, so she just goes up every weekened. Even in the winter. Her husband quit his job at Safeway and is now a realtor in OC, while she stays back here and works.

Aww, that sounds awesome. Does she rent out the condo while she's not there? I know most condo rentals are only week long or mini-weeks. It would be nice to find one that rents for a day or two to just take off once in awhile.

It would be my dream to retire and open one of the little shops in Rehoboth. I just love the way the little shops are set up on Rehoboth Avenue. It's just so quaint...only word I can think of to describe it.

 

[Christine]

Aww, that sounds awesome. Does she rent out the condo while she's not there? I know most condo rentals are only week long or mini-weeks. It would be nice to find one that rents for a day or two to just take off once in awhile.

When she bought it, her intention was to rent it. But shortly after, her husband decided to do the realtor thing so he ended up living there Thursday-Monday. Once a condo becomes like a "residence" it's really hard to have strangers staying there off and on.

 

[safetymom]

Ocean City. We have been going there for years. Now that we live in FL my kids still want to go to Ocean City for vacation. We went back again last year and have plans for this year.

We just never like Rehoboth.

 

[Kirby]

This really can't apply since it's been years and years since I was at RB. But I have fond memories of staying there in a beach house for 3 - 4 days when I was 12.