Vacation: Ocean City, MD!

[seofan_via_dublin]

The family is going to Ocean City this year, we leave Saturday!

Anyone ever been, if so, any tips.

Great food locations would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Chieftain]

Been going off & on for 35 years and was on an annual tear when kids were little for about a dozen straight years. We opted to stay in the North end in high rise condos on the beach. Pricey, but the best there is there and all came with the beach & private pool. Lots of realtors to hook you up with them. Favorites were The Plaza, Sea Watch, Pyramid & 9400. Most have an outdoor patio on each unit overlooking the ocean, so you can sit out & hear the breakers at night. Bring the binoculars as dolphin cruise the shore and ocean going boats are plentiful. Will be going again in 3 weeks. Downtown motels are pricey & not as much room & in the old part of town, but on the Boardwalk. There are lots of cheapies but never stayed so can't advise. Eats are best at Phillips ( 3 to choose from-- seafood), Harpoon Hanna's at Del. state line, Harrisons at the inlet downtown, Captain's Galley II in West Ocean City and for steaks & ribs, hard to beat Nick's House of Ribs. Delaware has some family style dinners and no sales tax there for a savings. Bull on the Beach isn't bad. Several buffets ( pricey). There are lots of fast food ( we avoided) and several greasy spoons ( also didn't do). Great Boardwalk ( 35 blocks long) with food ( we like Shenanigan's) , activities, shopping, the beach and a carnival. Northside is a great city park. Lots of putt-putts, mini race car tracks , water sports in the Bay ( boat rides, deep sea fishing trips, parasailing and rentals for jet skis, etc). More tourists traps than you can shake a stick at for T shirts, sweats, salt water taffy, etc.

Our typical day is breakfast in room, out to the beach, back up stairs for a sandwich and back out to the beach with a late afternoon trip in the pool. Shower up and out for dinner. Then out for activities, Boardwalk, shopping, etc. Laid back and relaxing. When you go is important as they have various celebrations or programs ongoing during that week. July 4th is big. So is Greek Week. Had a granddaughter that danced in the Nationals at the Convention Center and they were 3 times National Champs. National Park Assateague Island is cool with wild ponies still surviving after a Spanish ship wreck 500 yrs. ago. I used to surf fish from the beach early & late and caught fish. 10 mile long beach ( and another 25 miles into Delaware).

Always a good time.

[oldtrojan]

The family is going to Ocean City this year, we leave Saturday!

Anyone ever been, if so, any tips.Thanks!

Great food locations would be appreciated!.
Paladin II has given some good advice. I've been several times. Atlantic Oceanfront hotel Nothing fancy but steps from the beach, for a reasonable price. Carousel Hotel is a little pricey but very nice.
Enjoyed my stay at both places. Recommend Phillips Seafood Buffet. All you can eat for about $27.00. Enjoy yourself OC is a great place. Several nice Pubs on the boardwalk...Big Peckers, and Brass Balls are good ones and the food is pretty good also! Good night time entertainment,bands ect. There is an Irish Pub also but cannot remember the name...food is really good. Also do not drive your car around. Take the Bus(public trans.) runs 24 hours. and the whole length of ocean ave. cost about $2.00 and voucher is good for the whole 24 hour period.

[Chieftain]

Dublin -- I would add this

1. The absolute worst time to go is the first 3 weeks in June. We always go the 4th week of June ( and will be there this year) or into July any time. Reasons are (A) , the East coast states empty their H.S. grads on this place & its a mecca for thousands of grads ( and under grads) who drink, drug, fight & drag race here. Dangerous & risky, especially at the Boardwalk. Locals refer to them as " JuneBugs" and hate this time too. Cops will be active and won't cut slack as they will be busy. Would recommend that you avoid Boardwalk on week-ends ( Fri, Sat, Sun.) and go on Mon - Thurs. Also don't stay late ( midnight or after) on the Boardwalk. The other reason is (B), the ocean hasn't warmed up yet and is very cold. We like to ride boogie boards in the breakers, swim & cool off and 4th week of June is just the start of decent ocean temps. You may turn blue........lol

Old Trojan has some good info. Still have my Big Peckers T-shirt ( beer & pub food) , Phillips Buffet is at the North end ( in back) as the front is regular restaurant, the Irish pub is Clancy's, also on the North end ( and food is good here, but small place makes for lines to get in unless you go early), unless he is thinking of Shenanigans on the Boardwalk ( and we like it too) and the Carousel went bankrupt & is under court monitored proceedings ( has an indoor ice skating rink off the lobby).

I rate OC as one or the Top 2 family beach vacations in Eastern U.S. ( Myrtle Beach also). Have fun !

[oldtrojan]

Dublin -- I would add this

1. The absolute worst time to go is the first 3 weeks in June. We always go the 4th week of June ( and will be there this year) or into July any time. Reasons are (A) , the East coast states empty their H.S. grads on this place & its a mecca for thousands of grads ( and under grads) who drink, drug, fight & drag race here. Dangerous & risky, especially at the Boardwalk. Locals refer to them as " JuneBugs" and hate this time too. Cops will be active and won't cut slack as they will be busy. Would recommend that you avoid Boardwalk on week-ends ( Fri, Sat, Sun.) and go on Mon - Thurs. Also don't stay late ( midnight or after) on the Boardwalk. The other reason is (B), the ocean hasn't warmed up yet and is very cold. We like to ride boogie boards in the breakers, swim & cool off and 4th week of June is just the start of decent ocean temps. You may turn blue........lol

Old Trojan has some good info. Still have my Big Peckers T-shirt ( beer & pub food) , Phillips Buffet is at the North end ( in back) as the front is regular restaurant, the Irish pub is Clancy's, also on the North end ( and food is good here, but small place makes for lines to get in unless you go early), unless he is thinking of Shenanigans on the Boardwalk ( and we like it too) and the Carousel went bankrupt & is under court monitored proceedings ( has an indoor ice skating rink off the lobby).

I rate OC as one or the Top 2 family beach vacations in Eastern U.S. ( Myrtle Beach also). Have fun !

GREAT POINTS and INFO. Wish i were going there this summer. However wife wants to go to Beach Haven, NJ. on Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore. Very nice place also. A hop skip and jump from Atlantic City! Where I live now in N. E. Pa. is only 3 1/2 hours from AC and about 4 1/2 from Ocean City. We go about 3 or 4 times a summer since we can jump down for a weekend. Have Fun.

[Chieftain]

Lots of info here

http://www.oceancity.org/

and here

http://www.ocean-city.com/

[seofan_via_dublin]

Thanks guys, we have a vacation condo club we belong to, and we're staying at a 3 bedroom place off of 116th street. On Captains Quarters.

Looking forward to the trip, it's one of maybe 3 beach areas along the east coast that I haven't been to yet.

Also, thanks for the tip on the grad parties and "Junebugs".

The OC Airshow is saturday and sunday, we're going to hang out and watch it most of the day sunday.
Also, the OC Car show is that weekend, so we may get over there too.

We're taking our nephews (8 &5 years old), so putt putt and go karts are a must, and we already eyeballed that Northside park.
I think we are going to get them on the Jolly Roger pirate cruise at some point too.

As for the wife and I and relaxation, I'm going to make sure we get away from the family at some point and take in Assateague Island, and some of the nature stuff.

Again, thanks, and I'll make updates in the spare time.

[mohawkbaseball#1]

the go-karts at Jolly Roger or Jolly Pirate (i cant remember the name) are the best ones i've been on. We went at night and they had a unlimited rides package

[Chieftain]

So, Dublin.................. any report so far ?

[seofan_via_dublin]

Had a very good time.
The locals said the ocean is about 10 degrees warmer now than normal, and we spent a good amount of time in it.
We took a harbor cruise to Assateague, and also rode the OC Rocket.
Got to watch dolphins playing about 50 yards off the beach.
My 5 year old nephew caught a striper fish off the boardwalk pier.

The kids had a blast, I went to Crab Bag. That place was really good.

Overall, I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing trip to a family friendly beach location. Enough stuff to keep you busy, or just sit and relax on the beach.

Thanks for all the tips!!!

[Chieftain]

I'm gathering my stuff together as we are leaving early this Friday morning. Will spend some time in Washington, D.C. first, then stay at a motel Friday nite. Will drive into Ocean City early Saturday, get a parking permit at the condo and hit the pool until we can check in at 3. Thereafter, the beach for the week.

Two beach chairs -- check. One fishing pole -- check. Lots of sunscreen -- check.

Glad you had a good time. We always look forward to it because no matter how many times we have been there, it remains fresh & different. And for us, it remains the quickest drive to the ocean. A great beach to spend the day on. Outstanding restaurants and lots to do. And in the evening, sitting on the 8th floor patio at the condo with the wind blowing in & listening to the breakers hitting the shore, wave after wave after wave,etc..

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Chieftain]

Just returned from a week on the beach at Ocean City, Md. Once again, stayed at one of the high rise condos on the beach in the North end. Great trip & nice time. Very relaxing.

Eats this time at Harpoon Hanna's, Dough Roller, Warren Station ( De.), Nick's House of Ribs, Carrabba's, House of Welsh ( De.) and Phillips Seafood Buffet ( now up to $32.99). First slice of Pino's Pizza ( pretty good), loaded up on fudge for the family at the Candy Kitchen and enjoy some time on the Boardwalk. Lots of time on the beach ( tanned up well) and some pool time too.

Of special note, the economy has definitely taken a hit on the women. Not as many "lookers" this year . Sure, still some nice Grade A choice stuff, just not as many. Families also down in numbers. But always a great time , so will return again some day.

[Chieftain]

We always hit Shenanigans on the Boardwalk ( 4th Street I believe). I try to walk in with Youngstown gear on and get free drinks ( you'd have to know the reputation). Good food, drinks are great & crowd lively. Duffy's in Montego Bay shopping area around 120th Street has a good Happy Hour. Older crowd. Smitty McGee's on Rt. 54 on the Delaware line just off the Strip can be rowdy. Lots of hot women here.

Better bars are ones with an "Island" atmosphere -- Seacrets is best. Jimmy Buffet style. Bikinis at the bar and the women flow in all day long. If you can't get it up here, its time to hit the retirement home. Many of the spots have Bikini Contests, Hot Body Contests or Wet T-shirt Contests every week ( read the local rags for info) and women flow there from Philly, Pittsburgh, D.C., Baltimore, etc for the $$$$$$$$$ prizes. Grade A stuff, not the typical bar flies.

[Chieftain]

[KVDW]

at the bar and the women flow in all day long. If you can't get it up here, its time to hit the retirement home.

You have a way with words!!

what do you expect from a guy that sits in a bar looking at women and "gets it up" ?
probably the most excitement he's had in years.