Ocean City

I think that you made the right choice of hotel based upon location between the two. The Clarion is in North OC and is at least a 20 minute drive to the boardwalk in good traffic. I have never stayed at the Grand or the Clarion, so I cannot really give a good opinion on the hotels, but based upon posts on this forum, the Grand typically gets decent comments. Unfortunately you are at the north end of the boardwalk at the Grand, while the rides are all at the south end. The grand is about 3-4 blocks from the north end of the boardwalk and the boardwalk is 2.5 miles in length, so you are looking at about a 2 mile walk to and from the Grand to the south end of the boardwalk where almost all of the entertainment is located. The north end of the boardwalk does not have much to do. There is a boardwalk tram that goes from one end to the other, but I believe it costs $2.50 per person each way, so that can be quite expensive for a family using, especially over multiple days. There are two locations where there are rides. Jolly Roger's at the Pier is located, well, on a pier, you can't miss it. Trimper's is on the opposite side of the boardwalk a few steps down from the pier. I prefer Trimper's over the pier rides, but I would check both of them out. They are free to enter, so you can walk around both and see which one you like.

Assateague Island is a nice place to visit and the wild ponies are usually not hard to find. However, before you go, make sure you plaster on bug repellant. Mosquitoes are all over the place on Assateague Island and if you go unprotected, you are sure to get a bunch of mosquito bites!

I cannot really say good restaurants to go with kids, because I don't have any yet!

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When are you going? I've stayed at the Grand, and it is a nice hotel. There is an arcade room and pool in the hotel so that will help entertain the kids. And of course you are right on the Ocean. You probably could have rented a condo for a week for what you're paying for that hotel though. You're on 21st St, so you'll want to take the tram. It's way too far to walk. You are actually only 6 blocks from the END of the boardwalk. There is a charge per person each way though. When I go to the lower end of the boardwalk where the shops and rides, etc are, I drive and park the car about two or three block off the boards. There are no meters there. Another cheap alternative is to take the bus. It runs all day and night and there is a ride all day fee of two dollars. Much cheaper than the tram, but way more crowded.

There are a couple of mini golf courses within walking distance (about two blocks). And Jolly Roger amusement park is nine blocks up the street. Just be VERY, VERY careful crossing coastal highway with children. Assateaque is okay, buggy, and lots and lots of poo. I've never paid to enter the park, so I don't know how close you get to the horses. But we've driven the free access roads around the island and seen plenty of them without paying. You will also pass Frontier Town on the way to Assateaque. Your children might be interested in that. For a good buffet, Embers is about a block away and very good, but for the adults, it's about 27.00 per. person. Don't know the cost for kids. Stay away from Paul Revere's restaraunt on 4th st. They're cheap and you could feed the kids (lots of kid favorites) but the place is dirty,foul, and a tourist trap.

I would suggest that when you check into the hotel, go to the back of the first floor next to the bar and between the bar and restrooms, and get some of the local newspapers and tourist books and do some reading. They're free and usually have coupons in to save you some cash. Your hotel also has a 24/7 coffee shop for those night time munchies or early AM pick me up.

You could also check the convention center for info. Just look into the forums on this site and you'll find all the info you want. Have a great trip. And RELAX!

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We leave on the 27th and return on the 30th. I know we could have stayed in a condo for what we are paying, but this was last minute so whatcha gonna do? ;)

Thank you both for the replies and tips, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. I will be printing out this thread. I hate going somewhere where I haven't a clue. :o I like to be informed. I will definitely check out the newspapers. I think we will stay away from the AUCE's, my hubby hates them. :p He's picky and never gets to much to eat from them, he'd rather have a really nice entree at 25.00 than the usual AUCE spread. I am hearing good things about Coins, Booty's, Fish Tales, are these children friendly places? :confused:

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I'll give you just two tips from when we were there in June....

We tried Coins for the first time this year and really enjoyed it. It's kind of a bar/restarant type of place. We had wonderful service! I had the lobster tail and my husband had a steak. I heard it's were the "locals" go!

Also, don't waste your $ paying to go into the actual park at Assateaque. After we paid the $10 to drive through we didn't see any horses!! We only saw them on the free part of the drive. Go figure!

Enjoy!

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Down at Talbot Street and the Bay you can catch a ride on the Assateague Adventure boat/ Nature Cruise. I have heard that its fun and educational. They dock onto the shore and you can get out at assateague and look for ponies or play in the water. I think they also have a touch-and-feel tank onthe boat with critters in it. I would check it out for a fun alternative than just driving down there.

I can't wait to take my neice and nephew on it in August!

OH yeah DONT FORGET THE BUG REPELLANT... that place is murderous in the summer.

As for a kid friendly restaurant that is great for adults as well I would stop by the Marina Deck (near Talbot street pier and MR Ducks) It's great for kids because they have a whole play section for the kids to go to while they are waiting for food (or after the kids have finished eating and adults dont want to leave yet). They can play with toys, games, or watch a movie. When we were there they even have an attendant for the kids play section. This is priceless for adults who don't like to be rushed through dinner. My sister and I take my neice and nephew here every year. The food can get pricey ($25.00 entre) but its worth it!

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I agree you made the right choice with the Grand. You are on the Boardwalk but a little north so it will be calmer and less noisy in the evening.

The Grand is on 21st street one choice for either lunch or dinner is Coin's located on 28th and the Coastal Highway they have early bird specials for discount dining. Try the steamed shrimp app. with onions and old bay to start. They also have great crabcakes either for a lunch or dinner.

Two blocks north of Coin's you will find Anthony's a beer/wine/deli sandwich shop for lunch one day the food is good there also.

As you mentioned Fager's Island on 60th and the bay for lunch or early dinner for the sunset and the 1812 overture.

Another spot for dinner might be Harrrison's Habour Watch at the southern end of the Boardwalk right along the inlet.

On 75th and the bayside you will find BJ's. Good food, try the seafood skins you will die a few minutes earlier for having eaten them but the expierence is worth the early death.

As for the pony show don't pay just ride through the free sections and keep an eye out for the ponies they don't know the free sections of the park from the fee sections so you can drive through and then park and walk over to the beach area without laying out any cash.

As the signs remind you these are wild animals so don't hug or pet or feed the ponies. Take a look but keep your distance.

Good suggestion about the local papers can be found in many 7-Elevens, hotel lobbies, or stores. Also the covention center on 45 street and the bayside has plenty of tourist information.

http://www.atbeach.com/beachmd.html

This site also gives you some useful information.

As far as the kid friendly places to eat, most if not ALL of the places serving food will welcome both you and your kids don't concern yourself with that. Go enjoy, eat a little to much, eat a little more then you would at home and have a blast.

There is an Italian restaurant across from Anthony's the name escapes me right now supposed to be some of the best in OC if you and the family like that variety of food. Around 30th and the Coastal Highway the main road north and south through OC.

Below is the review posted by DeanM for his last visit and his opinion of Antipasti on 30th and the Coastal Highway bayside. That is the Italian eatery.

"Antipasti: This was by far the best meal of our trip, the service was fantastic and the food was even better, I had lumps of crab meat in my pasta dish that were the size of golf balls! The price for my wife and I and 4 children was $250.00, but you get what you pay for."

Also as mentioned downtown on the bayside in the Talbot Street area they have all the charter fishing boats and I believe they have two large speed boats that you can take for a ride one is the OC Rocket I believe I would think the kids just might enjoy a spin on that boat.

Hope this helps you will have no problem finding things to do and to little time to do all the things available.

If we can be of any help just ask before you go and please post your review of the Grand, the food, and your OC visit.

Thanks and enjoy.

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One more thing. You are close to a restaraunt called Jonah and the Whale. Sounds good? STAY AWAY FROM IT! I know it 's real close, but it's terrible! If you go to BJ's on the Water on 70th st, ask for a table by the windows or outside so the kids can see the ducks and geese. Save a piece of bread because there is a deck around the place, and the kids can feed the bread to the geese and ducks after they eat. The kids would also enjoy any one of the hundreds of Candy Kitchens in OC. It's an ice cream store, but they can make their own sundaes there. It's fun for them.
For breakfast, you are close to Happy Jacks on 25th and Philadelphia Ave. Very good breakfast and they give the kids crayons and a page to color while you wait for your food (not long).

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Welcome to the boards!

Here are some things you and the kids will enjoy:

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
Ripley's Believe It or Not
Trimper's Rides
Splash Mountain @ Jolly Rogers
DiscoverySea Shipwreck Museum

Have fun!

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if you love seafood, check out Captains galley II, and or Crab Alley on golf course road just over the bridge in west ocean city. dynamite food :)

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Wow, thank you all for all the tips! I am printing this thread out to take with us. Sorry it has taken so long for me to come back and reply, we had a huge storm blow through here and we lost our power for 4 days. ACK!

I can't wait to get there and just relax, eat, and have fun!

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