A quaint New England coastal town, Ocean City offers up more than just a quiet day at the beach. If you're looking for something to do for your upcoming senior trip, you might be interested to learn all about what this small Maryland gem has to offer. From exciting boardwalks to amusement parks, fresh seafood, and cultural centers, Ocean City is big enough to be exciting and small enough to be fairly uncrowded even during the high season. Check out Ocean City's top ten attractions for a taste of what she has in store.
1. Ocean City Beach
Stretched across ten miles of powdery, golden sands, Ocean City Beach is a paradise - and it's free. Come for the whole day and relax, swim in the blue Atlantic, have a picnic under a beach umbrella, and have a sand castle competition. Maybe that sounds juvenile but you know how fun it sounds and once you see Ocean City Beach for yourself, there won't be anything to stop you from jumping straight into full on beach-mode.
2. Ocean City Boardwalk
Often considered to be one of the best boardwalks in the country, Ocean City Boardwalk has all of the entertainment, dining, and shopping you can handle. A historic boardwalk dating back to 1902, Ocean City's famed attraction has everything from arcades to candy shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants, boutiques, and, of course, ocean views. Bookending the boardwalk are two amusement parks, making for easy entertainment.
3. Northside Park
The largest and most popular recreational area in Ocean City, Northside Park is a 58 acre complex which includes three baseball fields, a soccer field, a fishing area, several playgrounds, and much more. Located just a few blocks away from the boardwalk and other popular attractions, Northside Park is a relaxing stop to take in the lovely landscapes and exercise your limbs before heading back for more touring. Picnic at one of the pavilions or grab a concession at a kiosk and take a stroll.
4. Ocean City Performing Arts Center
This impressive and newly built facility is a comfortable location for any cultural experience. From singers to classical composers, lectures, and other performers, the Ocean City Performing Arts Center grants you the opportunity to learn, grow, laugh, cry, and feel awe. Check the schedule for a list of upcoming performers before you visit Ocean City to catch your favorites in person.
5. Assateague Ponies
Maybe you've heard of a little book called Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. If so, you might be familiar with the famous Assateague or Chincoteague ponies, a group of roughly 150 wild horses living on an island that crosses the Maryland-Virginia state lines. These short and stocky ponies have adapted to their island surroundings and have continued to live there untamed for centuries. The island is now a wildlife refuge located only nine miles from Ocean City.
6. Free Family Fun Nights
Ocean City likes to make you and your group feel like family. During the summer months, Free Family Fun Nights offer up fun activities such as movies on the beach, free concerts, firework shows, and more - all for free! These aren't your run of the mill family fun activities but attractions that really bring in the crowds. Take part in Sunset Park Party Nights every Thursday at 7 pm or participate in Sundaes at the Park which combines ice cream and concerts every week.
7. Frontier Town
If you like camping in style, and fun, Frontier Town might be the thing for you. Styled and themed after, you guessed it, a "frontier town," this campground includes full amenities, an Old West style town complete with a general store, restaurant, and more, as well as a water park. Guests of Frontier Town gain automatic access to the water park and golf course located on the property.
8. Trimper's Rides and Amusements
For over a hundred years, Trimper's Rides has been a part of Ocean City's entertainment attractions, wowing and amusing devoted patrons with their fantastic rides and carnival themes. Located at the end of the Ocean City Boardwalk, Trimper's has both indoor and outdoor rides including merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, bumper cars, roller coasters, and more. Try your hand at the classic carnival games like balloon pop to win prizes.
9. 17 Golf Courses
If you enjoy a bit of golf, you'll enjoy Ocean City. With 17 championship golf courses, there's sure to be a challenging, fantastic course surrounded by beautiful scenery just for you. Eagle's Landing is one of the best and most popular courses with views out into beautiful Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague National Seashore. This is also the only course to be a certified Audubon Sanctuary.
10. Food
Need I say more? When you're on vacation, food is bound to be on your mind. And you don't want to be stuck eating fast food, so try one of Maryland's absolute best seafood and specialty restaurants like those located right here in Ocean City. There's a restaurant for every budget from affordable, delicious meals to fine dining. If what you desire is a five star meal, go to The Shark on the Harbor where you can order dishes like pan seared big eye tuna and even grilled mako shark. For something a little more affordable, try the famous Thrasher's French Fries, Fisher's Popcorn specialties, or the delicious made to order donuts from the Fractured Prune.
