Destination guide
The Ocean City Boardwalk
Three miles of rides, shops, restaurants, and salt air — from the Inlet to 27th Street.
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Explore The Ocean City Boardwalk
From the Inlet to 27th Street
You will be hard pressed to find a list of the best boardwalks in the United States and not see The Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk among the top. This iconic landmark stretches for three miles along the beach and is always open. This classic boardwalk is a vibrant hub of activity, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and amusements. The enticing aroma of fries, soft-serve ice cream, and caramel popcorn fills the air. With its mix of games, rides, and lively barkers, the Boardwalk offers a classic seaside ambiance. The award-winning boardwalk also boasts stunning waterfront and beachfront hotels, fabulous restaurants, and attractions that rival any world-class seaside resort.Book Your Stay
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Boardwalk Attractions and Activities
Things to do
Park Place Jewelers
Downtown
Park Place Jewelers | Fine Jewelry on the Ocean City MD Boardwalk Discover elegance, craftsmanship, and exceptional service at Park Place Jewelers, a beloved Ocean City destination for fine jewelry…
Jessica's Fudge House
MR Ducks Apparel
Downtown
Wockenfuss Candies
Downtown
Bike World
Downtown
What's On The Boardwalk in Ocean City
Where to Eat on the Boardwalk
Restaurants, Bars, Ice Cream and Concessions
Boardwalk Restaurants
Where to eat
Tipsy Taco
Downtown
Tipsy Taco provide the best of Mexican Flavors to create a culinary experience like no other. Indulge in the traditional allure of Mexican cuisine with our authentic street tacos, crafted with high…
Ocean Bites on the Boardwalk
Downtown
When you're on the Boardwalk, make sure you stop at Ocean Bites for a refreshing lemonade, and a great selection of sandwiches, subs, burgers, wraps and salads, then treat yourself to an ice cream to…
The Dough Roller S. Division
Downtown
Smash Burger
Downtown
Located on the Ocean City Boardwalk, 8th St. Smash Burger serves up classic American favorites done right. From smash-style burgers and cheesesteaks to hot dogs, fries, and hand-spun shakes —…
Pizza Boss
Downtown
Eat local and try something new. Pizza Boss remains one of the most popular in Ocean City. Give them a try and see what makes them such a favorite. For a true flavor of the city, try some of Ocean…
Where to eat on the Boardwalk
Sweets, Treats & Fast Eats
All along the boardwalk you will find ice cream, popcorn, candy, and classic boardwalk style food such as fried dough, pizza, & hot dogs. OceanCity.com Favorites: Thrashers Fries, Fisher's Popcorn, & Dumser's Ice CreamRestaurants & Pubs
Ready to sit down and enjoy a meal or drink while watching the boardwalk activity? You will find casual dining along the entire boardwalk. We love Backshore Brewing at 10th Street. It's the only brewery actually in Ocean City and if you go, ask for Nate. He's the brewer there and will make you feel welcome! Shenanigan's Irish Pub is a favorite year-round, but particularly on St. Patrick's Day. If a Guinness or Smithwick's calls, this should be your destination. They have great burgers too!Where to Stay on the Boardwalk
Prime Location Hotels, Motels & Condos on the Boardwalk
Hotels, motels, condos, and even a B&B overlook the ocean along the boardwalk. The Grand Hotel & Spa, the Park Place Hotel, the Boardwalk Hotels, some of the Harrison Hotels, the Hyatt, as well as the Dunes Manor, which sits just beyond the terminus of the boardwalk, are just a few of the oceanfront hotels. There are also numerous hotel options just off the boards on the ocean block.
Stay at The Grand Hotel
Where to stay
Grand Hotel Oceanfront
Downtown
With over 250 spacious rooms with balconies overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a large arcade and game room, six restaurants on location, and free parking, The Grand has been setting the hotel standard in OCMD since it was built. It sits just inches from the beach, blocks from boardwalk's main action, and minutes from amusements, water parks, water sports, premiere golf courses, shopping, and the finest dining and nightlife Ocean City has to offer. If you happen to be in Ocean City for work instead of play, The Grand offers free high-speed wifi, large conference rooms, and lots of free coffee to help you take care of business.
Ocean City Hotel Group
Downtown
The Ocean City Hotel Group provides family friendly hotels, apartments and vacation rentals in Ocean City, Maryland. Search their rooms for the best hotel rates at the best locations in downtown…
Park Place Hotel
Downtown
Discover Park Place Hotel; Ocean City’s Premier Oceanfront Hotel Experience Nestled directly on the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk between 2nd and 3rd Streets, Park Place Hotel Ocean City offers one…
Boardwalk Hotel Group
Downtown
Howard Johnson Oceanfront Plaza, Howard Johnson Oceanfront Inn and Days Inn Oceanfront all located on the boardwalk. All are gold medal winners w/ microwave, coffee pot and refrigerators. Choose from…
360° Tours
Park Place Hotel Tour
Downtown
Tour the family owned and operated Park Place Hotel located on the ocean at 2nd Street and the Boardwalk.
360º photos of the Hilton Hotel in Ocean City, MD
Mid-town
Here are two 360º photos of the Hilton Hotel in Ocean City, MD. You can see the front of the hotel along with her sister hotel, the Doubletree and you can explore the beach behind the Hilton in 360º…
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History of the Ocean City, MD Boardwalk
Established in 1902
The Ocean City Boardwalk dates back to 1902 when several hoteliers decided they and their guests needed a way to walk easily between their places of business while enjoying the view of the ocean. The result was a wooden walkway that was removed at high tide and stored on the hotel porches. In 1910, a more permanent boardwalk was created for the visitors and residents of Ocean City. It originally ran five blocks, but was extended to 15th Street the following decade. When the boardwalk was destroyed in the great storm of 1962, it was rebuilt to its current length, running from the inlet through 27th St., ending just before the Dunes Manor Hotel. In 2012, the Ocean City Boardwalk underwent a complete renovation whereby the old splintering and rotten boards were replaced with new wood, while retaining the old-fashioned feel of its historic past.Famous Landmarks on the Ocean City Boardwalk
Inlet Indian
The Inlet Indian Statue, Ocean City, MD
This oak carving of an Assateague Indian was presented to the people of Maryland by the artist, Peter Toth, in 1976. The artist has donated totem carvings to each of the 50 states over the years. The tree from which Peter carved this member of the Assateague Indian tribe, a subset of the Nanticoke who still live in this area, was over 100 years old.
United States Coast Guard Tower in Ocean City
Construction on this tower began in 1934 to stand watch for the life-saving station and to watch for German U-boats during World War II. While not open to the public, this five-story structure stands sentinel to the Ocean City Inlet and adjacent to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum.
Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
Take a tour of the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum for an exciting look at Ocean City's unique history. The original life-saving station was built in 1878 between North Division Street and Caroline Street. In 1890-1891 a larger building was constructed in front of the original station, which was used to house a life-saving boat. After being abandoned mid-century, the building was slated for demolition, but was saved in 1977 and moved to its current location. It was carefully restored and now houses museum exhibits that portray the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the history of the town. Exhibits include:
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- The Boardwalk of Yesterday,
- Davy Jones' Locker
- Sands of the World
- Surf's Up!
- Aquariums featuring local marine life
Ocean City Pier Building
This building was constructed in 1926 where it replaced a building finished in 1907. The second floor was originally a ballroom. The original building contained a dancing pavilion, skating rink, bowling alleys, pool room, and refreshment booths.
Boardwalk hotels
Stays a few steps from the boards.
No listings yet. Check back soon.
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
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