Yes, children are allowed in Seacrets until 10pm

The Town of Ocean City prides itself on hosting free weekly events throughout the summer to help you enjoy your vacation without blowing your budget. Find a full list here.

• The Beach is free
• Walk & Explore the boardwalk
• View Free Events

Winterfest of Lights runs from mid-November to New Year’s Eve. Take a look at our Winterfest page for the complete dates and information.

Sunfest takes place in late September. Check out our Sunfest page for updated dates and information.

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

The Town of Ocean City prides itself on hosting free weekly events throughout the summer to help you enjoy your vacation without blowing your budget. Find a full list here.

• The Beach is free
• Walk & Explore the boardwalk
• View Free Events

We are in Worcester County at the terminus of Route 50.  Ocean City is the easternmost town in Maryland and as Jim Mathias, the previous Mayor of Ocean City who also served as the State Senator always said, the sun rises first in Ocean City, Maryland.

Ocean City, MD is approximately 3 hours by car from Washington, DC. <a

You need to apply for a Worcester County marriage license. Call the Clerk of Court Office in Snow Hill at 410-632-5500 to find out what’s required and what documents are needed. 

No.  You must wait until after 6 am on the second calendar day after you apply for the license before you can be married.

The hours for applying are 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

According to the Worcester County site,

• “Only the bride or groom need apply. The fee for a marriage license application is $35.00, CASH only, no checks accepted. You will need to show a drivers license or birth certificate for both the bride and groom. No blood test is required. We need to have Social Security numbers for both.
• The fee for a civil ceremony is $25.00, CASH only, no checks accepted. Please make an appointment at the time you apply. We can accommodate no more than six people.
• You must be married in Worcester County, if you obtain your license in this county.
• You must wait until after 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after you apply for the license before you can be married.
• The license is valid for six months from the date of issue.
• If either party is divorced, we need documentation of same, please bring papers with you. If bride resumes her maiden name, we will need to see documentation of same.
• If either of you have a deceased spouse, you will need to know the date and place of death.
• If under 18, please call for information.”

Ocean City, MD is approximately 3 hours by car from Washington, DC. <a

Free parking is available on most streets, but can be hard to find during the summer. Find a full list of parking options here.

Spring: Every 15 min. 6 :00 a.m. – 10 p.m., and every 30 min. 10:00 p.m.- 6:00 a.m Summer: Every 10 min. 6 : 00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m, and every 20 min. 3 :00 a.m.- 6:00 a.m Fall: Approx. every 15 minutes 6 a.m.- 10 p.m., and approx. every 30 minutes 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Trailers and oversized vehicles may not be parked on Baltimore Avenue at any time. Parking a trailer or oversized vehicle on any street or paved public lot without a permit is prohibited between May 1 and October 31. Permits are available to registered participants of Cruisin’ Ocean City, OC BikeFest, and Endless Summer Cruisin’ for a fee of $50 from the event organizer. There are three options for parking your trailer in town without a permit.

There are three options for parking your trailer in town without a permit. 1. The West Ocean City Park & Ride has limited free trailer parking available starting at noon on the Friday prior to the Cruisin’ OC, OC BikeFest and Endless Summer Cruisin’ events through noon on the Monday immediately following each event. However, no overnight parking is allowed – Vehicles and trailers will be towed if parked between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. 2. The 100th Street gravel lot also has limited trailer parking for a daily fee that can be paid on site. 3. In addition, you may make arrangements with a private property owner to park on their lot. You may not park on any public street. nn

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

Pets are only permitted on the Boardwalk between October 1st and April 30th, and they must be kept on a leash.

There are many hotels in Ocean City which welcome dogs. For a full list, click here.

Yes there are quite a few restaurants with outdoor seating which welcome dogs. For a full list, click here.

If you can’t find rooms in one of the various Ocean City hotels that allow pets, or if you chose a rental that doesn’t allow pets but want your dog to join you during the day on your vacation, there are several kennels in the area that will board your pet. Some allow regular day visits and will accept your pet for overnight or extended absences. Village Kennels –  410-352-5108 Bishopville, MD Dogtel Hotel – 410-213-8188 West Ocean City Delmarva Kennels – 302-436-2275 Selbyville, DE    

Yes there are:

• VCA Delmarva Animal Hospital10311 Old Ocean City BoulevardBerlin, MD(410) 629-1800
• Ocean City Animal Hospital11843 Ocean GatewayOcean City, MD (410) 213-1170
• Berlin Animal Hospital, 10302 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin, MD 21811 (410) 641-1841
• Precious Paws Animal Hosp Inc118 Atlantic AveOcean View, DE 19970(302) 539-5763
• Whaleyville Animal Hospital8901 Whaleyville Rd, Whaleyville, MD 21872 (410) 352-3311
• Sussex Veterinary Hospital Ltd, 30053 Vines Creek Rd, Dagsboro, DE 19939 (302) 732-9433

There are literally hundreds of places to stay in Ocean City, so choosing just one for your Ocean City vacation can feel a bit overwhelming. No need to worry, though. All these options just mean there’s something for every family and budget, whether that’s with a view of the ocean or the bay, in the midst of all the action on the boardwalk or in quieter North Ocean City. Check out our Ocean City Area Guide to help you find the perfect location, then you can find the accommodations that fit your needs.  You can search hotels here, or compare prices and amenities, and reserve your room right now with our online booking. Happy travels!

First, pick the location that fits your family’s needs. The Ocean City Area Guide should help.  Each area of Ocean City has it’s own feel, from busy with lots of shopping and amusements downtown to the quieter “condo-row” in North Ocean City. Then, search by the amenity you want in the area you’ve chosen.  Do a complete search here. If you want to just compare rates and availability click here. Finally, Ocean City lodging includes more than just hotels. There are also plenty of motels and vacation rentals, if those suit you best.  Click on either of the links above to sort by the type of lodging you like.

Downtown Ocean City runs from the inlet parking lot to the end of the boardwalk between 27th and 28th Street.  Downtown = the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. If you haven’t seen or visited Ocean City’s award-winning Boardwalk, you won’t regret staying where all the action is. First, there’s tons of nearby entertainment including arcades, amusement parks, roller coasters and haunted houses. There’s also classic Boardwalk fare from Thrasher’s Fries and Dumser’s ice cream to Fisher’s Popcorn, and restaurants including the Frog Bar and Harrison’s Harbor Watch. There are plenty of hotels, motels and apartments in the Downtown area of Ocean City that allow you to stay amid all the action. If you want an oceanfront hotel, search for boardwalk hotels in the downtown area.  If you search just for “oceanfront” you will get hotels along the 10 miles of beach.  Beachfront and oceanfront are the same.  You can also search for Bayfront hotels where the sunset views are amazing.  

Midtown Ocean City runs from the end of the Boardwalk at 28th Street to the Route 90 bridge at 62d Street.

Midtown hotels and motels offer quieter stays than their Downtown counterparts. Oftentimes, they have quicker access to the many famous the most bars and restaurants in Ocean City. Midtown is also near enough the Boardwalk for easy access by foot or bike, but distant enough that you only have to get caught up in it by choice. Additionally, the Convention Center on 40th Street, with its new Performing Arts Center, is the hub of a lot of activity in Ocean City, making midtown the ideal location for anyone attending events there. If you don’t want the noise and activity of the Boardwalk but still want to be close to Seacrets, the Convention Center and other Ocean City hot spots, midtown is a great place to start your hotel search.  

North Ocean City runs from 62nd Street to the Delaware Line.

Sometimes called “condo row” because of the many high-rises mixed in along the hotels and motels, Uptown tends to be quieter and is more family-oriented than the midtown and downtown areas. The beach is calmer, but many of the attractions, dining and entertainment options require driving. Northside Park, home to sports fields, free events, and the award-winning Winterfest of Lights, is found uptown. There, you’ll also find the Original Greene Turtle, Gold Coast Mall and many of the locals’ favorite hangouts. Uptown also offers easier access to the golf courses in Delaware, the shopping in Rehoboth, and Delaware Beach activities. By gaining access to this the uptown area across the Route 90 bridge, you’ll alleviate some traffic woes by avoiding downtown Ocean City. Plus, you can always leave your car in the lot where there’s mostly free parking and take the bus downtown to visit the Boardwalk. The Clarion, which offers luxury and great dining as well as great views of the ocean from their restaurant and fabulous beach tunes on the deck at Lenny’s, the Carousel and the Princess Royale are some of uptown’s most iconic hotels, but far from the only options.

Hotels in West Ocean City, MD

Our final stop is actually the first area of town you come to if taking Route 50 all the way into Ocean City. If you want easy access to the Assateague Island National Seashore, first-rate shopping and world-class golf, and don’t mind a drive to the beach, West Ocean City offers exceptional hotel and motel options. Choose one of the hotels or motels in this area and save a little money while you are just minutes from the wild ponies, Tanger Outlets, Sunset Marina, Harborside Bar and Grill, and so much more.  

Pets are only permitted on the Boardwalk between October 1st and April 30th, and they must be kept on a leash.

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations: Boardwalk at Worcester Street Boardwalk at Caroline Street 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park Boardwalk at 9th Street Boardwalk at 27th Street S. Division Street Transit Center Rinse Stations can be found at: Caroline Street (4) Inlet Beach (4) 9th Street (2)

The Boardwalk is technically open year round, however many businesses close during the offseason. Businesses open on an individual basis, so it’s best to contact them directly if you want to know their offseason schedule.

Biking is allowed only between the hours of 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). It is allowed anytime of the day and night in the off-season from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day subject to the following exceptions: Springfest and Sunfest (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), between 2:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon of the same day. Class 2 & 3 Electric bicycles are not allowed on the boardwalk at any time.

Skateboarding/ rollerblading/ rollerskating is prohibited on the Boardwalk during the summer season, but is allowed anytime of the day and night in the off-season from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

Always. The beach is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Always obey the Beach Patrol’s instructions, swim near a lifeguard at all times, and have a buddy with you when you’re in the surf. NOTE: Town Ordinances prohibit throwing balls/Frisbees and other sports on the beach between 9am and 5:30pm from May 30 to September 15.

There is plenty of Free parking in the West Ocean City Park and ride. There you can buy an all day bus ticket that will take you pretty much anywhere worth going in Ocean City. There’s not a ton of free parking in town but the Park and Ride is one of your best bets. You can pay to park at the meters around town and in the Inlet. Here’s more information on municipal parking.

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

That depends, but there’s an algorithm. Two beaches are reserved every day as ‘surfing beaches’ and their locations rotate daily. In addition, one section of beach along the inlet is reserved for surfers. It’s open Monday to Friday during the summer, except on July 4. Check out our surfing page for more information. To discover today’s surfing beaches or learn about the OC surf report:

• Check Ocean 98.1 WOCM or other local radio stations
• Call the OC Beach Patrol at (410) 289-7556
• Visit http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/Beach_Patrol

Surf fishing is welcomed in Ocean City, but for safety’s sake, regulations require you remain 50 yards away from anyone on the beach or in the water between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. There are regulations against luring sharks and chumming.

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

During the summer season, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty from 9am- 5pm.

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations: Boardwalk at Worcester Street Boardwalk at Caroline Street 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park Boardwalk at 9th Street Boardwalk at 27th Street S. Division Street Transit Center Rinse Stations can be found at: Caroline Street (4) Inlet Beach (4) 9th Street (2)

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

Yes, you may set up your sun shade, canopies, pop-up tents and umbrellas however they must be behind the lifeguard towers so their view to the water is not obstructed.  Nothing between the line of lifeguard towers and the water.

A Motor Event is a term that is used in Ocean City to describe an event or gathering that brings thousands of vehicles to our resort town. A Motor Event can be authorized in partnership with the Town of Ocean City or can be unauthorized.

Ocean City typically hosts six authorized Motor Events each year, taking place primarily in the Spring and Fall. These events include Cruisin, the OC Car & Truck Show, OC Bikefest, Jeep Week, Corvette Weekend, and Endless Summer Cruisin. In addition, we have one unauthorized Motor Event, which is commonly referred to by participants as H2Oi. The Town of Ocean City, however, refers to this unauthorized event as a Pop-up Rally event.

The Town of Ocean City works closely with event promoters of authorized Motor Events to assure our residents, visitors and event participants are equally accommodated. Most of the authorized events offer contests, parades and concerts. These additional activities create a family-friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. The Pop-up Rally event, however, has no formal schedule, which results in an enormous amount of traffic and large gatherings in parking lots and sidewalks. In addition, the Pop-up Rally does not have a designated event promoter for the Town of Ocean City to communicate with like the authorized Motor Events do.

Traditionally, the Pop-up Rally event takes place the last week of September. In 2021, we expect it to occur on September 24-26.

Each Motor Event is a little different; however, one thing that can always be expected is heavier traffic, noise and strict enforcement of vehicle laws. Because the safety of our residents, staff and visitors is our number one priority in Ocean City, it’s imperative for motorists to abide by traffic laws and be cautious of heavy pedestrian traffic. In some cases, Ocean City establishes a Special Event Zone, where speeds are lowered and fines are increased for violations.

Ocean City establishes a Special Event Zone three times each year. The Special Event Zone coincides with Cruisin Ocean City, Endless Summer Cruisin and the Pop-up Rally event. With thousands of motorists on Coastal Highway during these events, the Special Event Zone helps deter motor violations. The lowered speed limit and increased fines and penalties in the Special Event Zone have been successful tools for law enforcement officers during large Motor Events. These types of events draw large crowds of pedestrians and spectators. The Special Event Zone helps to keep our pedestrians safe on the sidewalks and in the designated crosswalks. n

The Special Event Zone applies to all of the roads within the corporate limit of the Town of Ocean City. The town limits begin midway on the Route 50 and Route 90 bridges and extend from the inlet to the Delaware State Line. This year, the Special Event Zone is being extended to include all roads in Worcester County. the expectation that they will follow our local laws and ordinances. There is no simple solution to the challenges faced during various Motor Events, but the Town of Ocean City is working hard to find solutions that positively impact everyone.

In April 2018, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed the “Special Event Zone” bill into law, allowing authorities in Worcester County to designate Special Event Zones during large events, particularly motor events. The legislation allows officials to lower speed limits in the Special Event Zone. In addition, legislation signed in 2020 allowed for increased penalties for specific motor vehicle violations. Similar to a Construction Zone, violators will face increased fines, or in some cases arrest, if violations occur in a Special Event Zone. Special Event Zones are in place during motor events in Ocean City due to the high volume of motor vehicles and pedestrians on/near the roadways. The zone can be implemented for authorized and unauthorized events to ensure the safety of those in our town.

Ocean City cannot stop people from coming to visit our community; however, we can deter violations through our Special Event Zone. In addition to Special Event Zone legislation, the Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City Police Department are working closely with the State of Maryland, our partners in the business community and participants of the Pop-up Rally event to develop a plan for peace during these events. Our resort community welcomes everyone with

Each Motor Event in Ocean City is different. For residents, the biggest impact on our community comes during the Pop-Up Rally event and Spring Cruisin’. Although the promoters of Spring Cruisin’ have worked very hard to make positive changes to the event, there is still significant traffic congestion. During the Pop-Up Rally, the town recommends staying off the road for the weekend, as residents are safer at home.

If you have concerns regarding your vehicle’s modifications, the Ocean City Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit has provided two resources that you can check regarding the state of Maryland’s regulations. The first resource is COMAR, and you can visit their website at http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/title_search/Title_List.aspx. Title 11 is where the majority of the regulations for vehicles can be located. In addition to reviewing COMAR, please review the most current Maryland Transportation Articles/Code 22 at https://casetext.com/statute/code-of- maryland/transportation/title-22-vehicle-laws-equipment-of-vehicles. Both of these resources will cover the laws that apply to vehicles within the state of Maryland.

Yes, the City Council is aware of the economic impact of the Pop-up Rally event. The Pop-up Rally also costs our community more than just money. The Town also pays a substantial cost in staff time and resources to cope with the rally. But perhaps the biggest cost of all is the effect the rally has on the quality of life for our residents and visitors. Its important for car enthusiasts and Pop-Up Rally participants to know that Ocean City welcomes everyone to our resort community, with the expectation that they follow our laws and ordinances in order to keep everyone safe.

While some businesses do benefit financially from the Pop-up Rallies, others do not. Some of the businesses that have benefited financially from the Pop-up Rally event still believe that overall the event is not a good fit for our community. Regardless, the Town is focused on the non-monetary concerns our community has expressed. The Town of Ocean City has been working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Motel Restaurant Association to prioritize keeping our community safe.

The Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City Police Department do not make any money from the traffic citations issued. In the state of Maryland, the money from paid District Court traffic citations goes to the Maryland General Fund.

Not at all. The Town welcomes car enthusiasts 365 days a year, as long as they obey all local and state laws. However, the Town does not welcome the huge, unruly crowds associated with the Pop-up Rally and the disorderly conduct that has resulted from this gathering.

Along with the Special Event Zone legislation, which was passed in 2018 by the State of Maryland, legislation passed in early 2020 will allow the Town of Ocean City to continue addressing lawlessness and unruly behavior with stricter fines and jail sentences for the most serious violations. To view the Special Event Zone Bill, visit: oceancitymd.gov/specialeventzone

Trailers and oversized vehicles may not be parked on Baltimore Avenue at any time. Parking a trailer or oversized vehicle on any street or paved public lot without a permit is prohibited between May 1 and October 31. Permits are available to registered participants of Cruisin’ Ocean City, OC BikeFest, and Endless Summer Cruisin’ for a fee of $50 from the event organizer. There are three options for parking your trailer in town without a permit.

There are three options for parking your trailer in town without a permit. 1. The West Ocean City Park & Ride has limited free trailer parking available starting at noon on the Friday prior to the Cruisin’ OC, OC BikeFest and Endless Summer Cruisin’ events through noon on the Monday immediately following each event. However, no overnight parking is allowed – Vehicles and trailers will be towed if parked between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. 2. The 100th Street gravel lot also has limited trailer parking for a daily fee that can be paid on site. 3. In addition, you may make arrangements with a private property owner to park on their lot. You may not park on any public street. nn