So I figured I would create my first-ever post in the "Beyond" section of The long Islander & Beyond! I decided to start off this section with one of my most recent vacations, which was to Ocean City, Maryland. Last summer, my boyfriend and I were interested in going on a cheaper vacation that was not too far away. We actually heard about Ocean City on the radio while driving in the car, and talked about possibly going there. I then started hearing about Ocean City everywhere I went, and started seeing t-shirts and sweatshirts from other people's vacations very frequently. We figured these were signs that we had to go there, so that's exactly what we ended up doing. It turned out to be a great decision! We had a relaxing, fun, adventurous few days. I wanted to share some of my experiences, my must do activities, and some tips and tricks while visiting this vacation spot!
Why go to Ocean City, Maryland?
Honestly, prior to hearing the radio commercials last summer, I was never aware of this vacation spot. However, I am glad that I did hear about it since it is a nice little getaway! From central Long Island, it is about a 5 hour car ride, and while that may seem kind of far, it is truly such a nice ride that time flies by! It is also a great alternative to flying, so a 5 hour car ride is really not that bad. Additionally, Ocean City had so much more to offer than I imagined. From endless miles of beach, to hundreds of shops along the boardwalk, to adventurous water excursions; there is really something for everyone. If you're looking for a close, cheap, and fun filled vacation spot, Ocean City is the place for you!
Must do Activities
1. Walk the Famous Ocean City Boardwalk
On our first day of vacation, we spent a good portion of the day exploring the boardwalk that never seemed to end. Along the 3 mile boardwalk, there are hundreds of locally run and operated shops, a variety of food options, live music, and ravishing beach hotels. One of the nicest things about Ocean City is how almost everything is walking distance, so there is no need to drive everywhere. Even our hotel was right on the boardwalk/beach, so all we had to do was step outside and we were set! If you are not up for walking the 6 mile round trip (very worth it, but can be very tiring/hot!), there are two trams that go back and fourth for an inexpensive fee. During the morning hours, there are also bikes you can rent to ride up and down the boardwalk until 10am. Lastly, some nights there are shows on the boardwalk, such as a cool light show that we saw, so make sure you ask your hotel about special events happening while you're there!
2. Go to the Numerous Amusement Parks
There are multiple amusement parks in Ocean City, but my personal favorite was the one right off of the boardwalk! It has a Santa Monica vibe, and has a lot of fun little rides and games. Additionally, there is a continuation of this park in town, which is a short walk. There are also other parks that are tailored towards more specific activities, such as a waterpark, a go-karting arena, arcades, and a lot of mini golf stands. While all of the amusement parks are on the smaller side, there are bundle packages to purchase, as well as day or night passes, so it is not that expensive!
3. Parasailing, Jet Skiing, and the Sea Rocket
As I mentioned, there are so many water excursions that you can sign up for. The most popular ones are parasailing, jet skiing, and the sea rocket, which is kind of like a speedboat tour. Since these fill up quickly, I recommend signing up ahead of time online through Ocean City's website. While we wanted to do all three, we ended up only signing up ahead of time for parasailing, so everything else was booked throughout our trip :( Parasailing was an AMAZING experience though, so I highly recommend you do this excursion! The staff is incredible nice, and provide an amazing first-time parasailing experience.
4. Go to Seacrets, Jamaica, U.S.A
In my opinion, this is one of the best restaurants in Ocean City! The location is right on the beach, with tables actually located in the water, on the sand, as well as inside. You feel as if you have been relocated to a tropical location since there are hundreds of palm trees. There is live music, great food, and an amazing view. They also have a night club with live DJs, so be sure to check out their website to see who will be playing! And of course, the food and drinks are great, which makes the whole experience even better. Unfortunately, I am unable to upload my personal videos of the amazing beach view, live music, and the unique water seating, so be sure to check out their site for more pictures!
5. Visit Assateague Island National Seashore
This island is most well-known for where the wild horses roam. We took a day trip to Virginia to do a boat tour of the island, but I honestly expected more based off the hotel's brochure. While we did see wild horses, it was from pretty far away. We later found out that there is a kayak tour that allows you to get a lot closer to the horses, which I wish I knew ahead of time. While I was a little letdown by the boat tour, it was still amazing to see these horses in their natural environment. I recommend looking into a kayak tour to see the island and horses more up close and personal!
I hope you enjoyed my retelling of my Ocean City, Maryland vacation! I also hope you were able to get a feel of this vacation spot, and that my must do activities with embedded tips and tricks were somewhat helpful. There was truly so much to do over the span of the five days we visited, so if you have any additional comments, questions, or concerns, leave a comment or contact me! Again, don't forget to check out Ocean City's official website to plan your own personalized vacation.
Many more posts to come :)
~Ashley
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