Beach savings
A cheap Ocean City room only helps if the beach is still an easy trip. On the bay side, that can mean crossing Coastal Highway several times a day.
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Ocean City, Maryland, sits on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, with the beach on the east side and the coastal bays on the west. The biggest crowds are at the Boardwalk and the Inlet. Farther north, a stay is mostly about the beach and Coastal Highway.
The Boardwalk stretches from the Inlet to 27th Street, passing amusement rides, arcades and places to eat. Downtown hotels are best if you want those evenings on foot. The beach continues north for miles, so you do not need to stay beside the Boardwalk for sand and surf.
Midtown has oceanfront hotels and bayside rooms near the convention center and restaurants. Condo Row and Uptown have larger buildings on quieter blocks. Coastal Highway splits the bay side from the ocean side, and a room sold as close to the beach can be on the far side of it. Read the address.
Northside Park at 125th Street faces Assawoman Bay. Across the Route 50 bridge, West Ocean City has marinas and the Park & Ride. Assateague Island, south of the resort, is a separate day out. You can’t walk there from an Ocean City hotel.
Summer is the busy season, and July highs average in the mid-80s °F. September is often still warm. Winter is much quieter, and some seasonal businesses close. The Beach Bus runs along Coastal Highway, but you’ll want a car for West Ocean City, Assateague and anything beyond the resort. Ask whether the hotel charges for parking, and expect slow bridge traffic on weekends.
From a hotel by the Inlet or on the low-numbered streets, you can walk to Trimper Rides, the fishing pier and the busiest Boardwalk blocks. Pick this end if you want your evenings on the Boardwalk. In summer it is crowded and loud, especially near the rides.
Around here: Ocean City Inlet, Trimper Rides, Ocean City Boardwalk
From roughly 33rd to 94th Street, including the Route 90 bridge area, hotels line both the ocean and bay sides of Coastal Highway. The Roland E. Powell Convention Center is at 40th Street. Check which side of the highway your room is on before assuming the beach is outside the door.
Around here: Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Coastal Highway, Assawoman Bay
Between about 95th and 118th Streets, the beachfront is mostly tall oceanfront buildings and condos. You are away from the Boardwalk crowds, and also from dinner near the Inlet, which means a bus or a drive. Pools, parking and beach access differ from one building to the next, so ask about all three.
Around here: Coastal Highway, Ocean City beach, Assawoman Bay
North of about 119th Street, Northside Park at 125th Street has bayside paths and open space. Oceanfront hotels up here are a long way from the Boardwalk. Stay uptown if your days are mostly beach and park. The Beach Bus runs down Coastal Highway when you want the Inlet.
Around here: Northside Park, Coastal Highway, Delaware state line
Across the Route 50 bridge, West Ocean City has the Park & Ride, marinas and the road toward Assateague Island. It works if you have a car, but the beach and Boardwalk are on the other side of the bay. On busy summer days the bridge back into the resort can be slow.
Around here: West Ocean City Park & Ride, Route 50 bridge, Commercial harbor
June through August is swimming season, and the Boardwalk is at its busiest. September is milder and often better for long beach walks. Spring can be chilly by the ocean. Winter is quiet, and some attractions and restaurants close until the next season.
Most visitors drive to Ocean City, crossing the Route 50 bridge into Downtown or taking Maryland Route 90 into the northern resort. Salisbury Regional Airport has the scheduled flights. Ocean City Municipal Airport is for general aviation.
24 mi from downtown
From Salisbury, rent a car or book a road transfer to Ocean City. The resort stretches along Coastal Highway, so know which end your hotel is at before you set off.
Add parking to the rate and look at the walk to the beach. If you plan to spend evenings on the Boardwalk, count the bus or drive back from the northern blocks.
Often, though it depends on your dates and the room. The catch is that a bayside address may mean crossing Coastal Highway to get to the ocean.
Yes. Midtown and Uptown have more beach blocks to choose from, and they are fine if you won’t be at the Inlet every night.
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