Planning guide
Best Businesses on the Ocean City MD Boardwalk Trail
Explore the best boardwalk businesses in Ocean City, MD on this self-guided trail. Check in at the 2026 Best of Ocean City® winners, unlock discounts, and enter to win a gift certificate.
1 min read
The Ocean City Boardwalk is packed with options — so we let our readers pick the best ones. The Best of the Boardwalk Trail is a free, downloadable guide to the boardwalk businesses voted winners in the 2026 Best of Ocean City® contest, from arcades and shops to snack stands and rides.
Download the trail, check in at each business as you stroll the boards, and unlock discounts along the way. Visit every stop and you're entered to win a gift certificate to one of the Boardwalk's best.
It's the perfect companion for a day — or a whole summer — on the best boardwalk in Ocean City, MD.
Experience Trail
Best of the Boardwalk Trail - 2026 Winners
Frequently asked questions
Boardwalk
How long is the Boardwalk?
About three miles, from the Inlet to 27th Street.
Are dogs allowed on the Ocean City Boardwalk?
Pets are only permitted on the Boardwalk between October 1st and April 30th, and they must be kept on a leash.Where is the best place to park to get to the rides on the Boardwalk?
Definitely the inlet lot. Here is information from the Town of Ocean City on parking in the inlet lot. Your first 30 minutes are free, including handicapped! Patrons must pay for expired time prior to leaving the Inlet Lot to avoid being billed for additional administrative costs April 1 – May 23, 2024 Monday – Thursday: FREE Parking Friday – Sunday: $3.00/hour May 24 – September 30, 2024 Daily Rate: $3.50/hour July 4, 2024 – $5.00/hour October 1 – October 31, 2024 Monday – Thursday: FREE Parking Friday – Sunday: $3.00/hourIMPORTANT INFORMATION:
When parking at the Inlet Parking Lot in Ocean City, here’s what you need to know: Payment Options:- You can pay for your parking session when you arrive or before you leave the lot by paying for the amount of time you have stayed.
- Use a nearby kiosk to enter your license plate details and pay for your desired parking duration. Make sure to enter your complete license plate, including numbers.
- There’s a 30-minute grace period to start your parking session, including for handicapped spaces.
- There’s no need to display the receipt on your dashboard after payment.
- Alternatively, you can use the ParkMobile App to pay for your parking at the Inlet Parking Lot.
- Violations of parking regulations at the Inlet Lot will result in a mailed bill for the time spent in the lot, plus a $25 administrative fee.
- If the violation fee is not paid within 30 days, it will escalate to $50.
- To avoid additional administrative costs, make sure to pay for any expired time before leaving the Inlet Lot.
- Parking lot ambassadors are available at the booth located in the center of Row E in the Inlet Parking Lot.
- For technical support and guidance on using the parking machines, you can call the number displayed on the front of the machine.
When does the Boardwalk Tram run?
**The Boardwalk tram is suspended indefinitely** The Boardwalk Tram costs $5.00 per person, per boarding, per one way ride. Although the tram runs every day throughout the summer, it may not maintain its normal schedule during during inclement weather due to safety precautions. For further questions please contact Transportation at 410-723-1606. Summer Boardwalk Tram Hours: May 24 – September 2 2024, 12pm -Midnight/Daily Special Events Boardwalk Tram Hours: Springfest: May 2-5 2024, OC Cruisin’ Weekend: May 16-19, Post Labor Day: September 3-8, Bikefest: September 11-15, Sunfest: Thursday, October 24-27When is the boardwalk open?
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.Are bikes allowed on the OC boardwalk?
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.Is skateboarding allowed on the boardwalk?
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.Where are all the rides on the Ocean City Boardwalk?
The rides are located near the inlet south of Somerset Street. You have Trimper’s Amusements and Jolly Roger at the Pier, both of which are popular. Trimper’s has the oldest (and most spectacular) carousel located inside so you can enjoy it even if it rains. Most of the kiddie rides are inside too.What are the Ocean City Boardwalk Store Hours?
Q: When are the stores and shops on the Ocean City Boardwalk open?
A: There’s no set time for all stores to open or close on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Each business has its own unique hours of operation.
Q: How can I find out the hours for a specific store or restaurant?
A: The best way to find out the hours for your favorite stores and restaurants is to:
- Check their individual websites
- Look up their hours on their Facebook pages
- Call them directly
Q: Are the stores open year-round?
A: Many stores and restaurants are open seasonally, with their hours varying depending on the time of year.
Q: When do most stores open for the season?
A: Typically, most stores and restaurants begin to open around Memorial Day weekend, often starting with weekend-only hours.
Q: When can I expect most stores to be open daily?
A: As the summer season progresses, you’ll find that most businesses are open daily during the week and on weekends.
Q: Are stores open after Labor Day?
A: Yes, many stores and restaurants remain open on weekends after Labor Day.
Q: Are there any special events that might extend store hours in the fall?
A: Yes, events like Oceans Calling and Sunfest often encourage businesses to remain open, at least on weekends, well into October.
Remember: It’s always best to confirm the hours of operation for a specific store or restaurant before heading to the Ocean City Boardwalk.
There is no universal time for a store to be open or closed. Each business runs its own hours. So check the website or Facebook page of your favorite business to see their hours. Typically, the shops restaurants and stores open around Memorial Day, at least on the weekends. As Spring moves into Summer, the businesses are almost all open during the week as well as the weekends. Most businesses remain open on the weekends after Labor Day and will start closing as we get into October. Now, with Oceans Calling, Sunfest and other big events in October, you will find the businesses will keep their stores and restaurants open at least on the weekends well into October.Where are the arcades on the boardwalk?
Most are down near the inlet end of the boardwalk.Marty’s Playland 5 Worcester Street – on the boardwalk near the inlet parking lot. One of the largest game an prize selections in Ocean City and a Best of Ocean City® winner.Fun City Arcade Caroline Street and the BoardwalkSportland Arcade 506 S Atlantic Avenear Jolly Roger at the PierFuncade905 Atlantic AvenueView the Ocean City Arcade Directory
Trails & Passes
What are the Trails & Passes offered on OceanCity.com?
OceanCity.com offers mobile-based, gamified “passes” such as the Best of Ocean City® Trails, Coastal Craft Crawl, the OC Orange Crush Trail, and the Explore the Town of Berlin: The Game Trail. These digital passes guide users to curated attractions, restaurants, and bars—letting you check in, redeem deals, and earn rewards during your visitHow do I access these passes?
ou can download them directly from the Trails page on OceanCity.com or through emailed/text links after booking a hotel on OceanCity.com.Are the passes free?
Yes! They’re free to download and use. The passes are particularly rewarding because they each include automatic updates and exclusive benefitsWhat benefits come with the Coastal Craft Crawl pass?
With the Coastal Craft Crawl, passholders get $5 pints at select local breweries and craft beer venues—one deal per location. Plus, the pass automatically updates when new venues are addedWhat’s included in the Best of Ocean City® Trails and how many passes are there?
There are four Best of Ocean City® Trails and each pass leads you to 2025’s award-winning businesses. There is a trail for restaurants, bars, boardwalk spots, and activities. You earn points for check‑ins, coupon use, and sharing, and are entered to win monthly gift certificates to local hotels.What’s included in the Orange Crush Trail?
The Orange Crush Trail offers deals like $5 Orange Crushes at participating spots—another fun, beverage-centered pass you can download or choose when booking via OceanCity.com.Do the passes get updated if new businesses join or new coupons are added?
Yes, once downloaded, your pass automatically updates with new participating venues and offers—ensuring you always have access to the latest deals.Is there a points or rewards system?
Yes! Many of the Trails on OceanCity.com are gamified, meaning that if you check-in, use the coupons, or answer quiz questions, you collect points. You can then redeem the points for prizes. The four Best of Ocean City® Trails and the Explore the Town of Berlin: The Game Pass all include gamified elements—sign up gives you 3 points right away; you earn more for checking in, using coupons, and sharing. These entries help you win prizes and keep accumulating even after winning.How do I redeem deals and check‑in at locations?
Download the pass onto your mobile device, then show it at each location to redeem your $5 deals or your coupons. Checking in can be done without showing your pass to the cashier or server. It’s contactless, mobile-friendly, and hassle-free. Just be sure to click on the coupon or deal IN FRONT OF THE CASHIER OR SERVER. They will expire in minutes and a photo of the coupon will not be accepted.Can I book hotels and use the passes together?
Definitely. Booking through OceanCity.com (https://hotels.oceancity.com) not only gives you direct hotel access and no OTA commissions, but also includes free trails or passes (like Coastal Craft Crawl, the Berlin Trail, or the OC Orange Crush Trail), making your stay even more valuable.
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