The downtown area (southern end) attracts a much larger crowd and is a little more lively. Extending three miles, the Ocean City Boardwalk is popular and, at times, crowded. The Boardwalk defines the downtown area. Everything on the boardwalk is oceanfront.  There are many shops, a few condos, and other businesses throughout downtown. Most downtown hotels are on the boardwalk, but there are a few scattered throughout downtown and a few on the bayside.

• The famous Ocean City boardwalk runs from the inlet parking lot to 27th Street.
• The highest concentration of hotels along the boardwalk deliver the highest concentration of beach goers.
• The inlet has a large parking area and many day-trippers use this beach.
• The southern end of Ocean City is home to the pier and the inlet.
• There are more fishermen and it’s a trickier place to swim by the pier and inlet.
• There are more public bathrooms along the boardwalk.
• On the bayside, Sunset Park hosts live music every Thursday night during the summer
• Trams and buses start at the inlet or the station across from Sunset Park.

The hotels along the boardwalk offer a huge variety of options for families, friends traveling together, or for romantic getaways.  You can find family-owned, independent hotels like the Park Place which sports recent renovations and the addition of a pool, the Grand Hotel and Spa, the Commander and others.  You can also find large chain hotels along the Boardwalk like the Hilton, the Doubletree, two Quality Inns, Hyatt Place, and more.  Downtown Ocean City offers the few remaining glimpses into bygone days with small wooden apartment buildings and quaint inns.  Some historic structures still exist and the Ocean City Development Corporation is helping to upgrade buildings and facades to preserve this quaint, walkable feeling in parts of downtown. 

Restaurants and bars are plentiful along the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk.  You can’t go far without finding Fisher’s popcorn, ice cream by Kohr’s Brothers or Dumser’s, or one of the many food stands along the three mile stretch of boardwalk.  You will also find some popular restaurants like Shenanigan’s and the Purple Moose opening right onto the boards.  There are others hidden in hotels that are worth trying like the Captain’s Table inside the Courtyard by Marriott.

Everybody loves local craft beer and Backshore Brewing is the only brewery in downtown Ocean City.  It’s located at 10th street on the boardwalk.

There are family run restaurants along other streets downtown. Dumser’s main location where they make their ice cream is located between Atlantic and Baltimore Avenues and will be on your left as you head south towards the inlet parking lot.  Fisher’s Popcorn is another popular shop with Ocean City’s famous caramel corn.  Once you venture over to the bayside, you will find perennial favorites like MR Ducks and the Angler.  You can’t leave Ocean City without trying the fresh seafood and goombay smashes on the Angler’s waterfront deck.  Then, you can ask your server to give you a ticket for the sunset cruise aboard their large fishing vessel for only $5.  We have never been on one of these cruises without seeing dolphins and the kids love the 45 minute tour of the West Ocean City waterfront, the inlet, and if the weather is good, a quick trip up the beach.

Downtown is synonymous with activity and fun.  There are climbing structures along the beach for the kids.  The boardwalk offers hours of fun for the whole family.  Trimper’s Rides, Jolly Roger at the Pier, the Haunted House,  and Marty’s Playland among others are located on the Boardwalk near the inlet.  

Many of the older family-run businesses and shopping options are also clustered along the boardwalk.   Again, you will find many shops sprinkled throughout downtown.  Miniature golf and watersports options are on the bayside downtown.