Trimper’s Rides and the Ocean City Boardwalk at golden hour

Ocean sunrise. Bay sunset.

Ocean City, Maryland

A lively coastal escape where ten miles of beach, classic boardwalk traditions, bay adventures, and unforgettable nights create room for every kind of getaway.

Upcoming eventsBeach conditions

Start planning

Make the day as lively—or laid-back—as you like.

Start with sunrise on the sand, follow the boardwalk toward breakfast, rides and familiar treats, then choose your pace: watersports on the bay, a quiet afternoon uptown, seafood by the marina, or live music and fireworks after dark. From the Inlet to the Delaware line, Ocean City makes room for classic family traditions and new coastal adventures.

Before you go

Ocean City weather

A quick look at current conditions and the next several forecast periods in Ocean City.

Current
August 11 @ 3:54am
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 72° | Lo: 72°
Wind: WNW @ 7mph
Tuesday
August 11 @ 5:00am
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 72° | Lo: 70°
Wind: WNW @ 7mph
Tuesday
August 11 @ 8:00am
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 73° | Lo: 72°
Wind: WNW @ 7mph
Tuesday
August 11 @ 11:00am
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light rain
Hi: 77° | Lo: 76°
Wind: W @ 7mph
Tuesday
August 11 @ 2:00pm
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moderate rain
Hi: 80° | Lo: 80°
Wind: WSW @ 6mph
Tuesday
August 11 @ 5:00pm
Weather Image
light rain
Hi: 80° | Lo: 80°
Wind: NNW @ 11mph
Thursday Night Fireworks over the beach near Caroline Street in Ocean City

On the calendar

Upcoming Ocean City events

Beach concerts, fireworks, festivals, races and family traditions keep Ocean City moving from season to season.

View the full calendar

Artists Paint OC

Wednesday at 10:00am

Art League of Ocean City plein air festival with artists painting local scenes around town and events at the Center for the Arts.

Movies on the Beach: GOAT

Wednesday at 8:30pm

Free family movie night on the beach at the Carousel Hotel. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks for the dusk screening.

Blessing of the Water

Saturday at 11:00am

Annual beachside Mass and blessing of the water on 17th Street Beach.

Taste the town

Ocean City restaurants

From boardwalk classics and steamed crabs to chef-driven seafood and bayfront sunsets, Ocean City’s dining scene is built for every kind of beach day.

Local favorite

Fish Tales

Family-friendly seafood, marina views and an easy bayside atmosphere.

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Local favorite

The Hobbit

Inventive coastal dining paired with memorable Assawoman Bay sunsets.

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Local favorite

Seacrets

Bayfront dining, tropical scenery and live music at a one-of-a-kind Ocean City landmark.

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Local favorite

Sunset Grille

Marina-side seafood and sunset dining in West Ocean City.

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Browse all Ocean City restaurants

Stay awhile

Ocean City lodging

Choose an oceanfront hotel, boardwalk classic, bayside retreat, or spacious rental along ten miles of coastline.

The Lighthouse Club Hotel at Fager’s Island glowing at sunset

Local favorite

Admiral Hotel

Ocean City, MD

410-289-6280

View details
Browse Ocean City hotels

Find your stretch

One island, four ways to stay

Ocean City changes character as Coastal Highway moves north. Choose classic boardwalk energy, a central home base, a quieter beach rhythm, or a marina-side stay across the bay.

Inlet to 27th Street

Downtown

Boardwalk traditions, amusement rides, fishing history and the liveliest walk-everywhere energy.

28th to 90th Street

Midtown

A central mix of oceanfront hotels, bayside dining, nightlife and the convention center.

91st to 146th Street

Uptown

A calmer family-friendly pace near Northside Park, wide beaches and neighborhood favorites.

Across the Route 50 bridge

West Ocean City

Marinas, fishing charters, waterfront restaurants and easy access to Assateague Island.

Find your way

Ocean City map

Ocean City stretches for roughly ten miles between the Atlantic and the bay. Coastal Highway connects downtown, midtown and uptown, while Route 50 reaches the Inlet and West Ocean City.

Local orientation

Downtown parking fills early in summer. Consider the West Ocean City Park & Ride or use the Beach Bus to travel the length of Coastal Highway.

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A resort shaped by the water

From seaside inn to boardwalk tradition

Ocean City grew from a small nineteenth-century seaside retreat into Maryland’s best-known beach resort.

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the south end of the Boardwalk

The Atlantic Hotel opened in 1875 as Ocean City began welcoming visitors by rail. In 1902, oceanfront hotel owners built a wooden walkway for their guests—the beginning of the boardwalk tradition that still defines the resort.

Read more about Ocean City history

The Trimper family established an amusement tradition near the Inlet in the early 1900s. A powerful 1933 storm then opened the present inlet, creating a harbor that helped Ocean City grow into a center for commercial and sport fishing.

Today, ten miles of barrier-island beach connect the classic downtown boardwalk with midtown bayside life and quieter uptown neighborhoods—each adding a different rhythm to the Ocean City experience.

Useful links

Plan with official local resources

Check current town guidance before your visit, especially for seasonal parking, transportation, events and beach rules.

Beach & boardwalk rules

Know the current rules before setting up on the sand.

Parking & transportation

Review seasonal meters, permits and ways to get downtown.

Official parking guide

Review current lots, meters, rates and Park & Ride details.

Daily beach conditions

Check conditions across Ocean City and the Delmarva coast.

Town of Ocean City

Find official notices, services and visitor information.

Ocean City visitor guide

Explore local businesses, activities and trip-planning ideas.