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.

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.

Imagine living here

Make Ocean City more than a getaway

From boardwalk mornings to bayfront evenings, Ocean City changes as you travel north. Explore a few different settings before choosing your home base.

Explore places to live

Take a closer look at a local community

Sunset Island

Bayside at 67th Street, Ocean City, Maryland · Bayside resort

Before you go

Ocean City weather

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

Current
November 10 @ 1:19pm
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 63° | Lo: 63°
Wind: SSW @ 8mph
Tuesday
November 10 @ 4:00pm
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 63° | Lo: 63°
Wind: WSW @ 7mph
Tuesday
November 10 @ 7:00pm
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 55° | Lo: 51°
Wind: WSW @ 7mph
Tuesday
November 10 @ 10:00pm
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 50° | Lo: 50°
Wind: W @ 7mph
Wednesday
November 11 @ 1:00am
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 46° | Lo: 46°
Wind: NW @ 6mph
Wednesday
November 11 @ 4:00am
Weather Image
clear sky
Hi: 41° | Lo: 41°
Wind: NNW @ 6mph
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

Winterfest of Lights

Thursday at 5:30pm

Walk-through holiday lights experience at Northside Park with animated displays, the 50-foot tree, Santa visits through December 23, and seasonal activities.

Holiday Shoppers Fair

Saturday at 10:00am

Holiday shopping fair at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

Character Breakfast

Saturday at 9:00am

Family-friendly holiday character breakfast at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

Holiday Artisan Fair

Friday at 5:00pm

Art League of Ocean City holiday artisan fair with local artists and handmade gifts.

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

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.