An Insider’s Guide to Ocean City, Maryland: Family Fun, Dining & Local Favorites

A day at the beach

Soak up the sun on Ocean City’s 10-mile continuous sandy beach, swim in the ocean and build sandcastles with the kids. Many of my days in Ocean City were spent with family and friends on the beach in front of our condo building. The beach is less crowded uptown, where our summer home is located than down by the boardwalk and the lower streets.

Boardwalk

Ocean City’s nearly three mile boardwalk is lined with shops, food, arcade games, amusement parks and museums starting at the inlet and ending at 27th Street.

Amusement parks

Ocean City’s amusement parks offer something for everyone. Located at the south end of the boardwalk, visit Jolly Roger’s at the Pier for an exhilarating roller coaster, sling-shot ride or Trimper’s Rides for kids. You will find boardwalk games, prizes and a family skeeball competition at Marty’s Playland.

Many of Trimper’s kiddie rides have a 30” height minimum, but the really little ones can ride the train around with an accompanying adult. The Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is highly recommended for rides that accommodate the really little ones and ticket pricing is very affordable. It has not changed since I was a kid!

Located off the boardwalk at 30th Street and Coastal Highway on the bayside. Jolly Roger’s 30th Street location comprises SpeedWorld for go-karting, Jolly Roger Park for more rides and Splash Mountain water park. You can search for the height requirements on their website to find more rides for the kiddies.

Water parks

Jolly Roger’s Splash Mountain is the most popular water park in Ocean City with water slides, wave pools and climbing gym.

Watersports

Motor boats, jetskis, kayaks, banana boats, parasailing and more are available to rent for anyone seeking water activities. Surfers can also catch some waves in the ocean on the designated surf beach, which rotates daily.

Northside Park

Northside Park at 127th Street on the bayside is the largest park and one we frequently visit. There are walking paths along the exterior of the park, great to get a few steps in before hitting the beach in the morning. The playground was renovated in 2023 and is a great playground for toddlers, but it does not have any bucket swings for infants.

I also recommend visiting Northside Park for sunset — bring some beach chairs, a blanket, and pick up some pizza from Ledo’s to watch the sun set on the bay.

For anyone visiting Ocean City over the 4th of July, Northside Park has great views of the fireworks over the bay, but it does get very crowded.

Tennis & pickleball

Ocean Pines Racquet Center is about a 15 minute drive from Coastal Highway and is great for playing tennis or pickleball. They also have a playground for the kids — there are bucket swings for the infants and even a ‘mommy and me’ swing! We often come to play in the morning and take turns playing and watching the little ones.

Ocean City Tennis Center, located on 61st Street on the Bayside, has several tennis courts that can be booked for play.

Golf

Many golf courses surround Ocean City. Play a round at the Links at Lighthouse Sound or hit the driving range at Ocean Pines Golf Club. If miniature golf is more your speed, you are in luck — you can find one almost every few blocks along Coastal Highway on the bayside!

Eat crabs

A visit to Maryland is not complete without a delicious jumbo lump crab cake or the real Maryland crab experience. Call ahead at The Crab Bag to reserve your order for dine-in or carryout!

Liquid Assets

One of the most popular restaurants in Ocean City, Liquid Assets caters to anyone looking for a full dining experience, light fare or a drink. Be sure to come put your name in and order a cheese plate and drink while you wait to be seated. Liquid Assets is also a liquor store, so you can drink almost anything you want while you dine.

The Hobbit

The Hobbit has been a long-time favorite of mine for good food, a beautiful sunset view over the bay and a stunning atmosphere. Limited outdoor seating is available (approx three high-top tables), but the interior is lined with a glass window to still have views of the sunset. Bar seating and a bar menu is also available and reservations can be made online. Children are welcome here, but this is more fine dining compared to other Ocean City restaurants.

Spain Wine Bar

A hot spot the last few summers! Located on the roof of the Cambria Hotel, Spain Wine Bar offers Spanish cuisine, tapas style and a stunning, vibey atmosphere. Highly recommended making reservations for a date night! This is the unique, more upscale kind of restaurant Ocean City has needed.

Grove Market

A hidden gem I may regret not keeping quiet! This restaurant is located in Bishopville, Maryland and you may be wondering if you are in the right place when you arrive, but you will be surprised! Home cooking in a rustic setting where you are treated like family. The food is locally sourced and the menu changes daily. The restaurant was family-owned for nearly four decades until they sold to new owners a few years ago. This would be best without young kids.

Tide Room

Tide Room recently opened in the Ashore Resort & Beach Club (formerly the Clarion Hotel). This is a trendy, upscale beachfront dining experience for Ocean City. It is a short walk from my family’s condo, making it also a convenient spot to grab a cocktail at the bar. The resort also has a tap room if you are seeking more casual fare.

Fager’s Island

A long-time favorite spot where you can choose their fine dining in the dining room or light fare on the deck. A great place for all, including families, and to watch the sunset over the bay. Fager’s also has live entertainment and nightlife for those seeking dinner and some late-night drinks.

Nantuckets Restaurant

While technically located on Fenwick Island, Delaware, Nantuckets Restaurant is close enough to Ocean City to have to make it on this list! The perfect spot to sit at the bar and grab a bite. They have a dining room as well, but we prefer to sit at the bar or a high-top on the bar side of the restaurant.

Hooked

A Common Ground hospitality concept, the menu is comprised of locally sourced fresh ingredients, including small plates to share, entrees and a kids menu.

Seacrets

I could not write an Ocean City destination guide without including Seacrets on it somewhere! The town’s hottest party spot, but they also serve a full menu — make sure to try their jerk chicken! When the rowdy crowd is not there, you can definitely bring young kids to Seacrets for a meal. I would bring my two-year-old, just not Memorial Day Weekend or 4th of July!. Customers under 21 are restricted from entering the water and certain areas of the venue. Please also be sure not to wear a white t-shirt and to follow the dress code on their website or you will be buying apparel from the gift shop!

Restaurants for the Kids

While many restaurants listed above are perfectly fine to bring kids to, the following are restaurants that have good food and are good for kids. Many even have playgrounds!

Ropewalk

Whether you have kids, are a group of friends, or a couple, Ropewalk caters to all. Towards the entrance, they have a sandy outdoor playground for the little ones to run around while waiting for a table or for food to arrive. The menu is a mix of salads, sandwiches, entrees and bar food. The crabcake egg rolls are particularly good. A kids menu is also available. Ropewalk often has live music and is a casual spot to watch sunsets and have evening drinks.

Saltwater 75

Located at 75th Street and Coastal Highway on the bayside, this is another spot to catch the sun as it sets over the bay. The outdoor tables along the bay are situated on sand and kids are often walking by the bay while waiting for food to be served. There is plenty of indoor seating as well as rooftop seating. Reservations are accepted.

Tailchasers Restaurant & Dock Bar

Located further uptown on 122nd and Coastal Highway, Tailchasers is a casual, family-friendly farm-to-table restaurant, and is also part of the Common Ground Hospitality group. They have a great playground to keep the kids entertained.

Dead Freddies Island Grill

Are your kids into pirates? Arrrgh, this is the spot to go! Dead Freddies is a family-friendly restaurant with sandy play areas featuring pirate ships and a playground for kids. The cuisine is similar to most Ocean City restaurants and consists of seafood-inspired American food options. Reservations are accepted.