Ocean City

Ocean City occupies a narrow barrier island bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and shallow back bays. Baltimore Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue handle traffic in the southernmost section, while Coastal Highway runs north to the Delaware line. A 2.25-mile wooden boardwalk dominates the lower streets, while residential high-rises fill the north. Traffic slows to a crawl on summer weekends, but the municipal bus system provides cheap, continuous transit.

Ocean City dining revolves around blue crabs, deep-fried snacks, and fresh citrus cocktails. Steamed blue crabs are served on brown butcher paper, heavy on Old Bay seasoning, and ordered by the dozen according to size grade.On the boardwalk, Boardwalk fries are cut fresh, fried in peanut oil, and eaten hot with cider vinegar and salt. The signature regional cocktail is the Orange Crush, made by squeezing fresh orange juice over vodka, triple sec, and lemon-lime soda.

• Crab sizing matters

  Order 'Large' or 'Extra Large' crabs if available. Small crabs yield minimal meat relative to the picking effort required.

• Peak meal times

  Popular crab houses like Higgins or The Crab Bag take no reservations. Put your name on the waitlist before 5:00 PM.

• Market pricing

  Hard-shell crab prices fluctuate weekly based on harvest supply. Always confirm the current dozen rate before ordering.

Ocean City transformed from an isolated fishing village into a regional resort over the course of a single century. The opening of the Atlantic Hotel in 1875 marked the start of commercial tourism. The physical landscape changed permanently in 1933 when a major hurricane cut a permanent inlet between the ocean and Sinepuxent Bay, establishing a protected harbor for commercial fishing and creating Assateague Island.

1. 1875

   First resort hotel

   The Atlantic Hotel opens, attracting regional visitors via ferry and horse-drawn carriage.

2. 1900

   Boardwalk construction

   Property owners build the first permanent wooden walkway, stored indoors during winter months.

3. 1933

   The Great Hurricane

   A severe storm carves the Ocean City Inlet, separating Ocean City from Assateague Island.

4. 1952

   Chesapeake Bay Bridge opens

   Direct highway access connects Baltimore and Washington motorists directly to the coast.

5. 1970

   High-rise construction boom

   Zoning changes allow high-density condominium towers along the northern stretch of Coastal Highway.

Select your lodging location based on your mobility preferences and noise tolerance. Downtown keeps you within walking distance of amusement rides and nightlife, but parking is limited and street noise persists late into the night. Midtown offers direct bay access and large crab houses, while Uptown features full-service condo buildings and quieter beaches.

• First-time visitorsDowntown / Boardwalk — Direct access to rides, boardwalk shops, and central beach action without driving.
• Families with kidsMidtown — Easy distance to mini-golf, water parks, and large family restaurants.

Ocean City is arranged along one north-south artery: Coastal Highway (Route 528). Streets are numbered up to 146th Street at the Delaware state line, with 1st Street starting several blocks north of the Inlet's named streets like South Division Street. Navigation is straightforward, but vehicle traffic moves slowly during summer peak hours.

• Buses run every 10–20 minutes between the Inlet Transit Center and 144th Street. Exact cash or transit pass required.

• Open-air trams run the length of the boardwalk from May through October for an additional per-ride fare.

• Always cross Coastal Highway at marked pedestrian crosswalks with signal lights; police strictly enforce jaywalking laws.

• Downtown and Inlet parking lots enforce mobile payment apps or pay-by-plate kiosks from April 1 to October 31.

Prices peak sharply between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Off-season rates drop by half or more for accommodations, though many boardwalk shops close entirely between November and March.

• Bus Pass: $4 per day

  Unlimited rides on the Coastal Highway Beach Bus until 3:00 AM the following morning.

• Steamed Crabs: $85–130 per dozen

  Market rates for Large or Extra Large blue crabs during summer season.

• Boardwalk Fries: $7–10

  Large cup of fresh-cut fries at boardwalk stands.

• Inlet Parking: $3.50 per hour

  Hourly summer rate at the main southern parking lot.

• Beach hours

  Ocean City beaches close to the public between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM daily for maintenance and cleaning.

• Lifeguard shifts

  Ocean City Beach Patrol guards are on duty daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, late May through September.

• Alcohol and smoking ban

  Drinking alcohol and smoking vape or tobacco products are strictly illegal on all public beaches and the boardwalk.

• Rip currents

  Always swim near an occupied lifeguard stand. Rip currents occur frequently along sandbar cutouts.