Ocean City, Maryland is a wonderful, affordable East Coast beach destination for families. There are many fun and classic things to do in Ocean City with kids. The beach and water activities are popular draws. As are the boardwalk, theme parks, and the chance to see wild horses frolicking on the nearby seashore.
Here is our guide to an Ocean CIty, Maryland family vacation. We include dining recommendations, plenty of activities, and our recommended place to stay.
Explore more of the state! Here are the best things to do in Maryland with kids.
Things to do in Ocean City, Maryland with Kids on a Family Vacation
Have a Beach Day
One of the best things to do in Ocean City with kids is to visit the beach. With 10 miles of coast running from the Inlet to the Delaware state line, this area offers all kinds of ways to enjoy the sand, surf, sea and sun.
Rent loungers and an umbrella and simply enjoy the beach. All along the coastline, there are places to rent things you’ll need for the day, and often your hotel will have these items conveniently located for your use. My hotel, The Commander Hotel & Suites, had beach chairs available right on the beach in front of the hotel and they were free to use for the day.
Love to be outside? Check our favorite East Coast beach camping destinations!
Walk the Boardwalk
Food, games, shopping and taking in the views are all part of walking the boardwalk here. Nearly three miles in length, the wooden walkway is a great way to see the beach, take part in some classic carnival games, enjoy foods ranging from pizza to french fries to donuts to ice cream, and even grab some souvenirs.
Participate in a Watersport
From surfing to swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, banana boat rides, sunset boat rides, catamaran trips and more, this area is full of wonderful ways to enjoy the water. Splash, perfect your water skills, or learn something new. Why not try one of the great water-based opportunities here?
Take family surf lessons
Venues like the Wave Riding School of OCMD offer up the opportunity for families to learn surfing. Everyone from beginner-level to those with a few more skills under their belt can try their hand at catching a wave and have fun at the same time. They also offer paddleboard, skim board, and even pet surfing!
Book a Relaxing Cruise
Enjoying a scenic water ride can be a great way to spend time as a family, and is something most ages and abilities can partake in. Try a sunset sail or catamaran ride, book a pontoon boat for the day, try sunset or daytime paddleboarding, or even indulge in a one-of-a-kind ice cream cruise or ghost story night sail!
Join an Educational Boating Tour
Fun and education on the water makes for a great morning or afternoon activity. Speed boat tours, eco-kayaking, nature tours, a seabird safari, jaunts to the Assategue Island shoreline, or a lighthouse tour are terrific ways to add some interest to your family’s day.
Try an Activity-based Water Ride
Watercraft that allow folks to participate in activities such as fishing, dolphin-spotting, jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, kite-surfing, and banana boat rides are sure-fire ways to get the adrenaline flowing and bring out the competitors in your crowd.
Stay active, cool off, encourage your family members to try new things, discover interesting new hobbies, or just make memories on the water. Ocean City, Maryland has wonderful ways to enjoy getting out and active on the water.
Hop on a Bike
Explore all that Ocean City has to offer via bicycle. Many hotels (including the one I stayed at) offer bicycles to ride, either free or for a fee. There are also surrey and bike rentals along the boardwalk. The city has designated bike lanes along Coastal Highway and throughout the town.
Bicycles are allowed on the boardwalk here from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 2am to noon.
After Labor Day, they are permitted at any time (except during SpringFest and SunFest). Should you want to stop and explore, bike racks are available throughout the boardwalk to park your bike.
Just a short drive from Ocean City, Assateague Island National Seashore has bike trails where you can enjoy nature and possibly spot the famous wild horses. There are two bike paths: the Woodland Trail and the Life of the Dunes Trail.
Have Fun at Jolly Roger Amusement Park
What’s more fun for kids than an amusement park? Jolly Roger is the largest on the island and offers a ferris wheel, roller coaster, go-karts, mini golf, zip lines, rides, games, waterslides and a carousel.
There’s never a charge to walk through and enjoy the sights and sounds, you simply pay when you’re like to participate in something.
There are five separate parks here, each jam-packed with fun and adventure for everyone in the family. Two locations are available, one on the pier on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and once located inland at 30th street. Hours are 2pm-11pm, with the wave pool open 24 hours.
Stop By Trimper Rides & Amusement Park
Jolly Roger isn’t the only game in town. Trimper Rides of Ocean City is the oldest family-owned and operated amusement park in town., and has been delivering fun since 1887.
Here you can partake in rides and games, and enjoy great carnival food at Trimper Treats or Trimper Sweets. They are open along the boardwalk throughout the summer months and for seasonal special events during the remainder of the year.
Play Nick’s Mini Golf
What’s a visit to the shore without playing mini golf with the family? Multiple (9 to be exact) themed locations of Nick’s Mini Golf exist, so you can choose the most convenient spot, or the place with the coolest theme for your crowd.
Their newest addition is a ropes courses to add to the fun – check that out at the 21st Street locale which also features a Jurassic Park theme.
Visit the 45th Street and Coastal Highway location for Beach Ball Golf, the 57th Street location for Maui Golf, the 125th Street venue for some fun Dino Golf & Mining Company fun, or the 146th Street Nick’s for Golf Down Under.
Additional set-ups are located in nearby Delaware beaches: Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach or Rehoboth Beach for a fun road trip activity.
Visit The Life-Saving Station Museum
Located at the end of the boardwalk, the Life-Saving Station Museum is a small-but-mighty museum that is perfect for older children and individuals interested in sea rescue and history.
The building once housed the US Lifesaving Service and later the US Coast Guard, and highlights the history of shipwreck prevention and rescue in the area.
Check out the exhibits on sea life in the area, shipwrecks, weather & storms, beach artifacts, history of the boardwalk, mermaids, and maritime history. You’ll also be fascinated by the collection of more than 200 samples of sand from around the world.
Venture Out To Northside Park
Northside Park is especially great for those with younger kiddos, as it features an outdoor playground and park benches are available to relax on. It is also a wonderful place to enjoy the sunset.
The 58-acre complex boastsmultiple sports fields, a fishing lagoon, concession stands, two playgrounds, picnic area, two piers, walking/jogging paths, and a large building with a 14,200 square foot gymnasium. Bike-friendly paths allow for more mobile exploration here, and picnic facilities area available.
Spend Some Time at a Beach-Based Special Event
During the summer, Ocean City is full of terrific free family activities to enjoy such as movies on the beach, concerts, kite shows, fireworks, dance parties, shows and more.
Festivals and special events such as Springfest, Sunfest, Ocean City Film Festival, Oceans Calling Festival, and Winterfest of Lights also take place in seasons other than summer, so no matter when you visit, there’s something to enjoy.
Take a Day Trip out to Assateague Island
Close to Ocean CIty is beautiful Assateague Island, a 37-mile long barrier island partially managed by the National Park Service. Perfect for a drive through, bike through, or a stop to take in the scenery, it’s lovely for those who appreciate the beauty of unspoiled natural sites. This destination is well-known for the wild horses that roam freely here.
There is a visitors center before the park entrance with lots of information on the island, park maps, staff, and restroom facilities that is well worth a visit. Your admission price is also good for visiting Chincoteague (in Virginia) as well.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Ocean City
There are no shortage of fantastic eateries on the island, but for those looking for stand-outs, here are some of our favorites.
Alley Oops has two location where you can enjoy delicious food along with family-friendly games, mini-bowling, arcade games, and virtual reality. Macky’s Bayside is a terrific open-air bar & grill with beachfront tables and tasty American pub fare. Bad Monkey has an expansive and unique menu and Fractured Prune serves up the most incredible doughnuts on the boardwalk.
Barn 34 is the go-to spot in OC for everything from your fave breakfast dishes to a daily happy hour. Bayside Skillet has been a premier breakfast attraction since 1977. You’ll want to try their overstuffed omelets and gourmet crepes. Sunrise Diner has one of the best breakfasts in OC. They offer a unique menu of fresh, delicious and nourishing foods.
Those with little kiddos will appreciate Ropewalk, da Lazy Lizard, Fish Tales and Dead Freddies, as theses eateries also have playgrounds for your children to enjoy.
Recommended Lodging in Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland is full of great, family-friendly vacation venues. I stayed at Commander Hotel & Suites. It offers families large rooms to spread out in. The rooms have a sitting area, kitchenettes, fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. They also have private terraces and balconies with wonderful views of the shoreline.
The property has both an indoor and outdoor pool, free beach chairs (two per room per day), bikes available to rent, free parking, direct access to the boardwalk and beach with plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby.
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