Ocean City, Maryland

[stuvian]

Was thinking of taking my family there for a vacation. Wondering if any fellow 2BDers have visited and what your impressions were.

[BillsPride12]

Never been but always heard good things.  Looking into a potential golf trip there one of these years.  

[mead107]

Go to Delaware.  Lot of neat beaches. 

Dogfish head for you. 

https://vacationidea.com/ideas/best-beaches-in-delaware.html

 

lewes And Rehoboth both awesome. 

https://www.visitdelaware.com/beaches/

Edited July 13, 2018 by mead107

[Max Fischer]

29 minutes ago, stuvian said:

Was thinking of taking my family there for a vacation. Wondering if any fellow 2BDers have visited and what your impressions were.

 

What kind of vacation do you want?

[stuvian]

1 minute ago, Max Fischer said:

 

What kind of vacation do you want?

Beach with cool side trips when we've had too much sun

[Max Fischer]

3 minutes ago, stuvian said:

Beach with cool side trips when we've had too much sun

 

Delaware was mentioned as it’s generally nicer, less crowded and consequently, more expensive. However, if you don’t expect too much, don’t mind some crowds, don’t want to spend a fortune and would like activities, Ocean City could work. 

 

Beaches are good, a nice variety of restaurants (upscale like Liquid Assets to cheap eats) and many fun bars (Mackys, Ropewalk, Fishtails, Seacrets - which is an experience day, night and late night). Every place can get very crowded and reservations are rare, so try to avoid  peak times or you’ll wait at while. Arcades, boardwalk, amusement park is decent, lots of mini golf, etc. evolution Brewery in Salisbury, visit Town of Berlin, see the wild ponies down in Assatauge (which is cool). Lots of nice golf courses (Rum Point, Lighthouse, Eagles Landing, etc).  Many other things you’d expect in a tourist area. 

 

OC has cabs, Uber and a free drunk bus that runs the length of the city. Try not to drive, especially if drinking. 

 

Hotels run run from pretty crappy to OK, as they are what you’d expect for hundreds of people tracking in sand day and night . Hilton and a few others are “nice” but expensive. Otherwise, Airbnb is a bet but they fill up fast. 

[mead107]

Sister Inlaw and Husband live in Lewes, it is neat 

[Doc Brown]

My father had a time share there and we'd go once a year for a week there over the summer.  If you like boogie boarding go there.  My kids had a lot of fun there when they were younger.  A lot of nice golf courses there and mini golf courses for the kids.  Restaurants aren't anything special.  It's worth going there at least once.

Edited July 13, 2018 by Doc Brown

[RaoulDuke79]

I've been going there on and off since I was a young kid. It depends what kind of vacation you want. OC MD has is a little more "high strung" than some of the beaches around.  The night life is good, Seacrets is a hell of a  beach bar/club with boat landings and the whole 9. If you want action I'd  recommend OC MD. If you want to relax and hang out in a well maintained town with respectable people I'd recommend Rehoboth beach DE. Its about an hour  North. There's a nice boardwalk and a ton of restaurants. It's more laid back than OC, but still has things to do. If you have kids I'd recommend Rehoboth if you want to cut loose I'd say OC.

[Happy]

I've been to OC, MD many times as a kid, but less as an adult.  It has changed a lot, especially toward the boardwalk; which used to be nicer years ago.  To keep it simple, don't go to the boardwalk area at night if you have small children.  The crowd the lower number street areas, including the boardwalk, is let's just say undesirable.  Stay in the northern parts (higher street numbers) where the high rise condos are.  There are shops for souvenirs in the strip malls across the street as well as numerous restaurants.  Or go to Rehoboth Beach, DE as the previous posters mentioned for a lower key atmosphere; same type water, waves, and beach.

[frostbitmic]

OC is a tourist trap but fun. The beach is nice, the water warm and the people watching is top notch. There's some cool bars, be sure to have an orange crush or three.

 

There's a casino nearby, Assateague island is a great place to spend a day, plenty of charter fishing, parasailing etc ...

 

It has been awhile since I've been there, about 8 years, but I'd go back.

[PromoTheRobot]

Went there once in the 90's. The part I saw I didn't care for. Rows of hi-rises along the beach and the main drag that looks like Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Canada.

 

My favorite beach vacation town is Carolina Beach, NC. Just enough going on restaurant and bar-wise but small enough to be relaxing. And lovely Wilmington, NC just 20 minutes away. You can rent a typical oceanfront condo (2 BR) for $1500-2400/wk. Water temp is mid-80's in summer and clean. 

 

https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/carolina-beach/

 

Emerald Isle, NC is nice too but a lot less going on in the area. Very sleepy.

Edited July 13, 2018 by PromoTheRobot

[KD in CA]

OC is pretty packed.  We spent many summers on Bethany Beach 10 miles up into DE.  Rohobeth another 10 mins from there.  Much nicer up there.

 

[GETTOTHE50]

I lived in Delaware for 17 years and had a condo in OC.

 

I never cared for Rehoboth. Its a very small beach, and very congested. The best Delaware beach is probably Dewey. 

 

If I were you, Id go to OC. Much bigger and longer stretch of beach. It would be a bit easier to find your own spot. Check out Trimpers Rides. I know the family who owns it and they are very nice people. OC also has Jolly Rogers water park which is cool. And as someone mentioned, there are plenty of minigolf courses. 

 

Get pizza from Lombardi's --- top 3 pizza I ever had. 

 

ahhh I miss OC

 

 

 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

8 hours ago, mead107 said:

Go to Delaware.  Lot of neat beaches. 

Dogfish head for you. 

https://vacationidea.com/ideas/best-beaches-in-delaware.html

 

lewes And Rehoboth both awesome. 

https://www.visitdelaware.com/beaches/

 

Agreed, delaware beaches FAR better than OCMD.

 

[plenzmd1]

Virginia Beach is similar, but I think much nicer than OC. Depending on where you are coming from. could be close to 2 1/2 longer drive. Great Aquarium...Busch Gardens, Water Country and Williamsburg all about 40 minutes away( at non rush hour). Clean as can be and 100% focused on family.

 

If you looking for more of a secluded, non-boardwalk beach vacation.Sandbridge feels like the Outerbanks(it is, but access from VA) , much closer. and easier to get to   5 miles from VA beach and all it offers. An underrated part of the East Coast beach options.

2 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

I

 

I never cared for Rehoboth. Its a very small beach, and very congested. The best Delaware beach is probably Dewey. 

 

 

 

 

1

Dewey with a family???? Unless you got 8-year-olds that like bloody's at 10 AM and lots of skin, stay far far away from Dewey with a family.

 

Man, do i miss those weekends at Dewey where I would never see the beach!!!!

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

15 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

Virginia Beach is similar, but I think much nicer than OC. Depending on where you are coming from. could be close to 2 1/2 longer drive. Great Aquarium...Busch Gardens, Water Country and Williamsburg all about 40 minutes away( at non rush hour). Clean as can be and 100% focused on family.

 

If you looking for more of a secluded, non-boardwalk beach vacation.Sandbridge feels like the Outerbanks(it is, but access from VA) , much closer. and easier to get to   5 miles from VA beach and all it offers. An underrated part of the East Coast beach options.

Dewey with a family???? Unless you got 8-year-olds that like bloody's at 10 AM and lots of skin, stay far far away from Dewey with a family.

 

Man, do i miss those weekends at Dewey where I would never see the beach!!!!

 

Bethany DEFINITELY with a family.

 

 

[PastaJoe]

10 hours ago, mead107 said:

Go to Delaware.  Lot of neat beaches. 

Dogfish head for you. 

https://vacationidea.com/ideas/best-beaches-in-delaware.html

 

lewes And Rehoboth both awesome. 

https://www.visitdelaware.com/beaches/

We’ve been going to Cape May, NJ for the past 20 years. There’s a car ferry between it and Lewes. Lots of nice beaches in southern NJ.

[Ned Flanders]

Just got back from OC last week.  We've been going for more than a dozen years now with the kids.  Beaches are well maintained and lots of good family restaurants on the bay side.  Try Mackey's and Fish Tails, but go before 5:30 or you're waiting a bit.  For ice cream, Justine's on the north end is the spot.  OCM Crabs is the best place for crabs.  As mentioned earlier, a side trip to Assateague to see wild horses is a good diversion, or there's a tacky, but good for kids, amusement park called Jolly Rogers, which you can get a pass to ride all afternoon (thankfully my kids have outgrown that).  The Boardwalk is nothing special, we've haven't been in a few years and don't miss it.

4 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

Get pizza from Lombardi's --- top 3 pizza I ever had. 

We're partial to Pino's but have wanted to try Lombardi's...next year for sure.

Edited July 13, 2018 by Ned Flanders

[stuvian]

Thanks to all for these great travel tips. Kindly appreciated

[GETTOTHE50]

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

 

Dewey with a family???? Unless you got 8-year-olds that like bloody's at 10 AM and lots of skin, stay far far away from Dewey with a family.

 

Man, do i miss those weekends at Dewey where I would never see the beach!!!!

 

Wow... talk about exaggeration 

Edited July 13, 2018 by GETTOTHE50

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

3 hours ago, PastaJoe said:

We’ve been going to Cape May, NJ for the past 20 years. There’s a car ferry between it and Lewes. Lots of nice beaches in southern NJ.

 

Next time you're around, I'll buy you  a beer.

 

I love Cape May. That being said, if I wanna day at the beach, I'll hit up WW or AC. Quicker drive.

 

[plenzmd1]

Just now, GETTOTHE50 said:

 

Holy hell talk about exaggeration 

Maybe life has changed there...but i spent a good chunk of my summer weekends in my late 20's and early 30's at Dewey...i would not even want my 17 year old son around that now.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/08/01/dewey-beach-grownups-gone-wild/Granted this is a bit of a dated article, but if the place did not change bewtween 1989 and 2008, prolly not changed much recently

[KD in CA]

4 hours ago, joesixpack said:

 

Bethany DEFINITELY with a family.

 

 

 

We used to go to N. Bethany.  Really nice, close to town but well past the beach crowds.

[dpberr]

I used to go to Ocean City, MD a lot until I discovered the Delaware beaches.     

 

If boardwalk nightlife and skill cranes are an absolute, positive must have, Ocean City is your best opportunity. 

 

If the beach is the primary attraction, can't beat a Delaware beach.  

 

I rent a place in DE and enjoy the beaches there and will travel down to Ocean City for a night of the boardwalk. 

[That's No Moon]

10 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

If you looking for more of a secluded, non-boardwalk beach vacation.Sandbridge feels like the Outerbanks(it is, but access from VA) , much closer. and easier to get to   5 miles from VA beach and all it offers. An underrated part of the East Coast beach options.

I've stayed in Sandbridge several times.  It's nice but be aware, the further to the North you stay lower the F-18's are when they buzz your house.  The Oceana NAS is very close by and the flight paths line up with the Northern end of Sandbridge. If a carrier is loading or unloading during your stay it can be endless.  Otherwise it is a pretty steady stream of planes in and out.  Sometimes you have guys practicing so they will do a touch and go, loop around and do another, over and over.  

 

I'm a fan of Corolla in the OBX.  Takes a lot longer to get there but it's quieter.  For me it's more like vacation, Sandbridge is a neighborhood.

 

As for Ocean City, it's not really my cup of tea but my wife grew up going to Jersey beaches.  I refuse to go there so this is a compromise.  My in-laws have a home on the Bay and we go down a couple times a year. There's a boardwalk and all that - I agree with a previous poster regarding some of the clientele and I witnessed some stuff in a mens room that didn't make me feel real good about having my young kids with me but it's not as bad as say Wildwood in NJ.  You should be aware of any local events.  There are multiple bike weeks and car weeks that bring in another whole element of interesting.  The OC government tries to keep a lid on it, they really want to remain family friendly but if you want a quiet time at the beach that's not it.  Assateague National Seashore is very close by and that's nice.  You'll see wild horses (and their poo).  There are generally many fewer people there than OC beaches.  $20 per car   

[plenzmd1]

^^^^^

 

good to know on sandbridge! Thank you. I have never stayed more than one night, MIL lives 49th street VB. 

 

i always recommend it, now I k ow to qualify!

[Ned Flanders]

On 7/13/2018 at 6:11 PM, That's No Moon said:

It's nice but be aware, the further to the North you stay lower the F-18's are when they buzz your house.  The Oceana NAS is very close by and the flight paths line up with the Northern end of Sandbridge. If a carrier is loading or unloading during your stay it can be endless.  Otherwise it is a pretty steady stream of planes in and out.  Sometimes you have guys practicing so they will do a touch and go, loop around and do another, over and over.  

As a former carrier sailor, those F-18s are music to my ears.

 

Was in Sandbridge earlier this summer and once last August.  The F-18s seemed more prevalent last year.  We like Sandbridge more than OC, but be aware, there's not as much to do outside the beach.  There's a restaurant or two, a couple of ice cream stores, but you're going for just that: getting away from the hustle and bustle of places like OC.  Also, it's mostly large seven bedroom-type homes there, that are geared toward multiple family stays.  There's a condo place on the water that's quite nice, but you're paying big bucks here too.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Ned Flanders

[That's No Moon]

4 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

As a former carrier sailor, those F-18s are music to my ears.

 

Was in Sandbridge earlier this summer and once last August.  The F-18s seemed more prevalent last year.  We like Sandbridge more than OC, but be aware, there's not as much to do outside the beach.  There's a restaurant or two, a couple of ice cream stores, but you're going for just that: getting away from the hustle and bustle of places like OC.  Also, it's mostly large seven bedroom-type homes there, that are geared toward multiple family stays.  There's a condo place on the water that's quite nice, but you're paying big bucks here too.

I like Sandbridge MUCH more than Ocean City. Not much to do is a matter of perspective. It's not a long ride to get to VA Beach proper and all that is there as opposed to parts of OBX that are really isolated. One of the silly things we liked to do in Sandbridge is play bingo at the fire hall. Nit sure what day of the week they are running it this summer but its kind of a nice small beachbtown sort of thing ti do for an hour or two.  I like the isolated rather than the cheesy boardwalk beaches but that's just me. Give me a beach with as few people as possible. I'm buying a 4x4 truck soon specifically so I can start going past the end of rt. 12 to Carova Beach and have even fewer people to see/hear on my vacation.

[LeGOATski]

Props to Delaware. I really enjoyed my time living there.

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Just drove through there last week.  Didn’t stop by my impression was “tourist trap”.  Way commercialized, and quite crowded.

 

Bethany Beach, just north of there, looked much more relaxing

[zow2]

OC is pretty cool.  They have all the activities you could want.. Beach, boardwalk,  mini golf, go karts, fishing, site seeing boats, nice hotels, crappy hotels, endless beach rental condos/homes and restaurants.

We rented a house in Rehoboth, DE a few years ago.  That was the most crowded beach I've ever been on in my life.  Never again, but it's a cool town to visit and go to dinner at.

 

The best family location for us is Bethany.  But it's pricey where we stay.  It's a smaller, more family oriented area but really easy access to Ocean City and Rehoboth for a day/evening visit.

[I'm Spartacus]