Things to Do in Ocean City Maryland: 12 Best Attractions for Every Trip
Ten miles of beach. A Boardwalk that has anchored the town since 1902. A barrier island full of wild horses a short drive south. That is the short answer to what makes Ocean City, Maryland worth the drive.
The longer answer is everything below, because most first-time visitors underestimate how much fits into a few days here, and quite a few of them get caught out by rules they did not check first.
Walk the Ocean City Boardwalk
The Boardwalk runs about two and a quarter miles, starting at the Inlet on the south end and finishing at 27th Street on the north end. You can walk it in under an hour, though almost nobody does on a first visit. There is too much pulling you off course.
It has been there in some form since 1902, when oceanfront hotel owners built a wooden walkway for their guests and rolled it up at high tide to keep it from washing away. A permanent promenade replaced it around 1910. The March 1962 storm leveled the whole thing, and the rebuild set the route it still follows today, according to the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
Get fries from Thrasher's. Watch the taffy pull at Dolle's if the machines happen to be running. If you are traveling with kids, Trimper's Rides near the Inlet still runs a restored 1912 carousel, which is a nice break from the newer rides further up the strip.
Bike hours, correctly: from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, bicycles are allowed on the Boardwalk between 2 a.m. and 11 a.m. only. Outside that window, from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day, you can ride any time of day or night. Check the Town of Ocean City ordinances before you rent, because an early ride is still the easiest way to see the full stretch without weaving through crowds.
Spend a real afternoon on Ocean City Beach
Ocean City Beach runs the length of town and is one of the widest public beaches on the East Coast. It is also free, which matters once you have paid for parking and a room.
A few rules worth knowing before you set up your chairs:
The beach is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nobody is permitted on the sand or in the water between midnight and 6 a.m.
Pets are only allowed on the beach and Boardwalk between October 1 and April 30. They are prohibited for the entire summer season, May 1 through September 30. Service animals are exempt. There is a dog playground at 94th Street on the bayside if you are visiting in summer with a dog.
Surfing is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. except in designated surfing areas. Two surf beaches are announced daily, and local surf shops usually know which ones before anyone else.
Glass containers and alcohol are prohibited on the beach at all times.
Grills, hibachis, propane, and bonfires all require a permit from the Fire Marshal.
Ocean City Beach Patrol guards the beach through the main summer season. Swim near a guarded stand, and if you are unsure about conditions, the National Weather Service rip current guidance is worth two minutes before you get in.
If the crowds near the Boardwalk are not your speed, walk north past 30th Street. Same ocean, noticeably fewer people.
See the wild horses on Assateague Island
Assateague Island sits about eight miles south of Ocean City, which is roughly a fifteen minute drive depending on the bridge. It is split between Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park, and it is home to a herd of wild horses that has lived there for centuries.
Nobody knows for certain how they got there. The popular story is a shipwreck. The National Park Service leans toward a less dramatic explanation: colonial farmers likely grazed horses on the island to avoid mainland fencing requirements and livestock taxes.
Whatever the origin, you will probably spot them close to the road, sometimes near the campgrounds. They look calm. They are not tame.
The Park Service requires visitors to stay at least 40 feet away, roughly a bus length, and citations can be issued for feeding or petting them. Take that seriously. The NPS safety guidance is blunt about why: the horses bite and kick when crowded or competing for food, they can knock a person down and step on them if something spooks them, and they can carry rabies. People get hurt here most years, usually while walking up for a photo.
Past the horses, Assateague has some of the least developed beach left on the Mid-Atlantic coast, plus hiking trails, kayak launches, and a campground for anyone who would rather fall asleep to the ocean than to hotel air conditioning.
More things to do in Ocean City Maryland
Once the Boardwalk, beach, and Assateague are covered, a handful of other stops round out a trip.
The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum sits at the south end of the Boardwalk and covers the town's history as a fishing village and shipwreck rescue post. Admission runs a few dollars per person, and the exhibits hold kids' attention longer than a small museum usually manages. It is the obvious rainy-afternoon stop.
Families and anglers tend to gravitate toward the deep-sea fishing charters running out of the Inlet, which are typically priced per person for a half or full day. Jolly Roger Amusement Park is the go-to if you are traveling with kids or teens, with pricing that depends on the ride package. Nature lovers should look at the kayak and paddleboard tours on the Assateague side, and couples often prefer a bayside sunset cruise.
Prices for all of these move year to year, so check current rates directly rather than trusting a number in a blog post, including this one.
Common mistakes first-time visitors make
Skipping the parking plan. Public lots fill early on summer weekends. Book a hotel with parking included, or arrive before 10 a.m.
Bringing a dog in summer. This catches people out constantly. Pets are banned from the beach and Boardwalk from May 1 through September 30, not just restricted to certain hours.
Assuming you can bike the Boardwalk whenever. In season it is 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. and that is it.
Visiting Assateague without bug spray. The marshes near the horse habitat produce mosquitoes fast once the sun starts dropping.
Feeding the wild horses. It is illegal, it can earn you a citation, and it is part of why some horses have gotten too comfortable approaching cars.
Underestimating sun exposure. The open beach has almost no shade, and reflection off the water adds to it. Reapply sunscreen more often than feels necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Ocean City Maryland?
Three to four days is enough to walk the Boardwalk, spend a full afternoon on the beach, and fit in a half-day trip to Assateague without rushing.
Is Ocean City Maryland good for families?
Yes. Beach Patrol guards the beach in season, the Boardwalk has enough arcades and rides for an evening, and the wild horses give kids something to talk about for the rest of the trip.
Can I bring my dog to Ocean City?
Only between October 1 and April 30. Dogs are prohibited on the beach and Boardwalk from May 1 through September 30. Leashes are required everywhere in town, and there is a dog playground at 94th Street bayside.
When is the best time to visit?
Late May through September for warm water and a full Boardwalk. September specifically if you want smaller crowds while the ocean is still swimmable.
Is Assateague Island the same as Ocean City?
No. Assateague is a separate barrier island about eight miles south, split between a national seashore and a state park.
Conclusion
Ocean City rewards a little planning. Know the Boardwalk bike window, know that dogs are out for the whole summer, and know that 40 feet from a wild horse is a legal minimum rather than a suggestion. Get those right and the rest of the trip mostly runs itself.