Ocean City, Maryland, is one of the most popular destinations on the Eastern Seaboard. Sun, sand, and good old-fashioned fun make this beach town unique, so bring your swimsuit, flip flops, and lots of enthusiasm. The Ocean City boardwalk has nearly three miles of arcades, music, and food. Visitors can nosh on local specialties like Maryland crab cakes or Delmarva fried chicken. Vacationers can also ride the roller coaster or the more sedate 1902 carousel. In addition, the boardwalk features the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, which pays tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard's predecessor. Anglers can cast a line in the self-proclaimed White Marlin Capital of the World. But fishers will also be able to reel in bluefish, mahi-mahi, and other fish from the waters. The wild horses and ponies at nearby Assateague Island National Seashore are more difficult to catch, but their beauty will enthrall visitors lucky enough to see them. Of course, the main attraction in Ocean City is the beach. Tourists can find plenty of places to put their toes in the sand, since there are 10 miles of public beaches. The shore is perfect for sunbathing or swimming, and the water is just right for surfing or canoeing. Finding flights to Ocean City should be an easy task, since it is served by three area airports. Baltimore/Washington International and Philadelphia International airports are each within a three-hour drive, while Salisbury/Ocean City Wiacomo Regional Airport is about 30 minutes away.

Visitors from all over come to Ocean City for its 10 miles of public beaches, three-mile boardwalk, and numerous events. The most popular time to visit is the summer, when the weather is hot and families take vacations. Winter is the least popular time to go, as the weather is cooler and many businesses close down. With warm weather, golf, and lower prices, spring and fall make ideal times to visit.

high season: mid-May to mid--September
low season: November to March
shoulder season: April to mid--May, mid-September to October

Weather Information

Ocean City experiences fairly mild weather throughout the year. Summer is the warmest time to visit, when humidity is low and high temperatures average in the upper 70s and mid-80s. Fall sees warm days, with average highs dropping from 78 in September to 58 in November. Winter can be chilly, with occasional snow and average temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Spring is pleasant, with calm ocean breezes and temperatures averaging in the 60s and 70s.

Crowd Information

About half of the eight million visitors who come to Ocean City annually visit in the summertime. Weekends can get particularly busy during this time. Several major events attract large crowds throughout the year, including the Fourth of July celebrations, St. Patrick's Day, Cruisin' Ocean City in May, White Marlin Open in August, Delmarva Bike Week in September, and Winterfest of Lights from mid-November through January.

Closure Information

Some hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions may close in late October and reopen between Presidents' Day and St. Patrick's Day. Almost everything is open again by April.

When to Save

The least expensive time to visit is during the winter low season, but you can also save money during midweek in the high season. The most expensive times are high-season weekends.

Information provided by Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau and Department of Tourism