By Adam Porter (with Melissa LeGates)
Ocean City Boardwalk
photo courtesy Ripleys
Hailed by the Travel Channel as one of “America’s Best Boardwalks” and named by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Great Boardwalks,” however you measure this three-mile stretch, the Ocean City Boardwalk (www.ococean.com) is just plain fun. Skyscraping thrill rides and gut-busting carnival delicacies tempt visitors to recapture lost youth, rekindle romance and teach the kids about good old-fashioned entertainment. Simply strolling the boardwalk is a prime people-watching opportunity and a delight to the senses. Salt air and cool sea breezes. Carnival food. Children’s laughter and warm sunshine. Yes, it can get crowded, but the mood is festive – a celebration of endless summer.
Boardwalk at night.
Photo courtesy of Ocean City Tourism
- Phillips Seafood (www.phillipsseafood.com) offers fresh seafood dishes at two locations in Ocean City: the Crab House (410.289.6821) at 2004 Philadelphia Ave. and the Seafood House (410.250.1200) at 14101 Coastal Highway. Both locations are seasonal.
- Bahama Mamas Crab House (www.bahamamamasocmd.com) is home of the “world-famous” bay-front crab deck and heaping helpings of delicious blue crabs. Seasonal. 221 Wicomico St. 410.289.0291.
- Hooper’s Crab House (www.hooperscrabhouse.com) is open late spring through early fall and, in addition to a terrific seafood menu, hosts several annual rallies and festivals. 12913 Ocean Gateway. 410.213.1771.
- And, while at the boardwalk, be sure to grab an order of Thrasher’s French Fries to decide for yourself if they live up to their “best on the boardwalk” reputation. 801 N. Boardwalk. 410.289.7232.
After lunch, work off all that lip-smacking local seafood at an Ocean City theme park. Jolly Roger (www.jollyrogerpark.com) is not simply one treasure ship of fun but actually a pirate-themed archipelago of six places to play scattered around Ocean City. Check out the website for admission rates, specials, group passes and maps for all six locations.
- Jolly Roger on the Pier is a classic boardwalk experience. Ride the two-tier carousel or enjoy a panoramic view of Ocean City from atop the tallest Ferris wheel in Ocean City. Daredevils brave the slingshot, a contraption that shoots two riders into the air high above the boardwalk.
- Jolly Roger on 30th Street offers typical amusement park attractions including roller coasters and midway games. Cruise the park on the circa-1952 Jolly Roger express.
- Cool off at Splash Mountain. Dare to ride in the Eye of the Hurricane or get “shipwrecked” in the Rain Forest. Little ones love the kiddie pools, while bigger kids brave the wave pool and the “Stealth,” a 45-foot-tall half-pipe slide.
- Speedworld is cart-racing fun for the whole family, from Formula One and Grand Prix tracks to Kiddie Carts and Skittle Bugs.
Xtreme Ziplines, located in the Speedworld amusement park, takes guests 60 feet into the air before sending them zipping down 1,000 feet of steel cable. This adrenalin-charged attraction offers intense views of the bay and the beach.
- Mini Golf is a tourist-town staple that transports guests to a tropical jungle and leads them on a treasure hunt. Outsmart the pirates to sink that putt. No, it’s not as easy as it looks.
If you are looking for some peace and quiet after a long day of play, the nearby barrier key of Assateague offers its famous wild ponies and a pastoral setting stuck on island time.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Driving anywhere in Ocean City can be a challenge. If you stay at Castaways (see below), be sure to take advantage of their tram service. There are also several park-and-ride bus stops located around town.
RV PARKS NEAR OCEAN CITY
Two standout RV parks in nearby Berlin, Md., reflect the family fun and theme-park atmosphere of the boardwalk city by the beach.
Castaways RV Resort & Campground (www.castawaysrvoc.com)
Castaways campground seen from the pier.
- Full hookups: water, sewer and electric (50 amp)
- WiFi & Cable TV
- Pull-through sites with big rig access
- Waterfront sites with ocean views
- Well-stocked camp store, clean bathing facilities and two swimming pools
- Family- and pet-friendly
Castaways is open mid-April through mid-October. The place is absolutely packed in July, so reserve early. Located at 12550 Eagles Nest Rd., Berlin, Md. 21811. GPS: 38.307588, -75.122229. Call 410.213.0097 for reservations or more information.
Frontier Town Campground (www.frontiertown.com)
Waterfront camping at Frontier Town Campground.
- Full hookups: water, sewer and electric (50 amp)
- WiFi & Cable TV
- Pull-through sites with big rig access
- Waterfront sites with ocean views
- Pool and shade trees
- Family- and pet-friendly
Located at 8428 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, Md. 21811. GPS: 38.291006, -75.145875. Call 410.641.0693 for reservations or more information.
Top photo of Boardwalk courtesy of Wikipedia.
Subscribe to receive updates on this series