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Ocean City is a peninsula; surrounded by the inlet at the southern tip, the bay on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. You
can enter Ocean City by crossing the Route 50 Bridge, by crossing the Route 90 Bridge, or through Delaware via Route 1.
Coming across the Route 50 Bridge brings you into the heart of downtown via a 2 lane highway. Here you will find the typical hustle
and bustle of a resort community, with bathers, boardwalk visitors and automobile traffic all vying for their turn at the road.
Crossing further north at the Route 90 will bring you into Ocean City at 62nd Street. Here you will find low to mid-rise hotels and
condos on the Ocean side and a mixture of condos, low-rise hotels and commercial facilities on the bay side. There will be less
traffic but keep in mind that Route 90 is a single lane highway with no option to pass.
For visitors from the north, entry into Ocean City is best accomplished via Route 1. Here you will enter Ocean City at the northern
end, which has the least amount of traffic. You will find low-rise hotels and condos on the Ocean and along Coastal Highway and
homes and low rise hotels and condos on the bay side, with commercial facilities lining both sides of Coastal Highway.
Where should I stay? (Click here for map)
This is a loaded question with no answer being the same for everyone. Let’s start by breaking Ocean City into 4 areas.
Downtown; this for my purposes will include everything from the inlet north to 27th Street. This includes the entire length of the
boardwalk. Choose this area if you like to be in the middle of the excitement. Boardwalk shops and entertainment are open until
midnight or later during the summer season and is right at your door. Staying in this area is best for the young or the young at heart.
It is also ideal for families with teens that feel their children can go off exploring on their own. The boardwalk is well lit and maintains
fairly heavy foot traffic until late at night. My personal recommendation is the Holiday Inn(R)* hotel located on the boardwalk at 17th
Street.
South Center; this for my purposes will include everything from 28th Street to 84th Street. This area includes low to mid-rise hotels
and condos on the ocean and bay with commercial facilities lining Coastal Highway. You will also find some good deals on hotels
and condos on and around Coastal Highway. Keep in mind that Ocean City is not that wide in most areas so walking to the beach is
not a major ordeal. I consider this area to be the best mixture of convenience and quiet for most families. The ocean front
Holiday Inn(R)* hotel located on 66th Street is well suited for families and couples alike.
North Center; this for my purposes will include everything from 85th Street to 118th Street. This area is the same as South Center
except hi-rise hotels begin lining the ocean. From 100th Street to 118th Street the ocean is virtually lined with hi-rises. For those
singles, couples and families that like to be pampered with room service, saunas, etc. this is your area. On the bayside you will find
townhouses for larger families, many with your own boat dock. Large families, families sharing a vacation, and boaters will find the
largest selection of rentals in this area.
North; this for my purposes will include everything from 119th Street to the State line at 146th Street. This area resembles South
Center except it is less congested with several homes on the bayside. Walking to a restaurant or store is less likely in this area. For
those guests that like to be in a quiet area yet close to the “action” this is the best choice for you. The Holiday INN Express(R)* hotel
located adjacent to the Northside Park and Sports Complex is ideal for families with active children. Located 1 & 1/2 blocks from the
ocean and a short walk through the park to the Montego Bay it offers something for every member of the family.
As you can see there is something for almost everyone in Ocean City. I don’t believe you will be unhappy with any of the areas, but
offer this guide as a general outline of what each area offers for those guests not familiar with Ocean City.
We at oclocals.net hope you enjoy your visit and encourage you to email your personal recommendations on hotels, restaurants,
and any other things you would like us to post to help other visitors plan their vacation.
