Ocean City Fireworks – Postponed
There will not be the large Ocean City fireworks to celebrate Americaโs independence this summer, City Manager Doug Miller announced June 15th. However, he says that the fireworks, which would have taken place from 8-10 p.m., will be postponed, not canceled. With a sense of optimism, Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller says, โthe date we will postpone the fireworks to has not yet been determined, but we are hoping that they will still take place this summer!โ
Beach
If you are simply looking for some rest and relaxation, you can always head to the beach. Swimming, sunning, and surfing are all allowed. Surfing beaches rotate and can be found here. The beach patrol is back on duty for the season and swimming is permitted. You are also allowed to bring your own umbrellas to the beach. If you normally rent umbrellas and chairs, many companies are back up and running, including 85 โN Sunny, Ocean City Beach and Linen Rental, and EZ Beach Rentals. Just remember, social distancing is encouraged!
Special Events
Town special events including Sundaes in the Park, Beach Dance Parties, and Sunset Park Party Nights are officially ON for this summer! The Life-Saving Station Museum is also offering free programs. Click here for more information!
See below for a full calendar of 2020 free events.
Miniature Golf, Go-Karts, & Jolly Roger
If you are planning on heading down to the ocean for Independence Day, there are still plenty of activities that families can enjoy! Thanks to Governor Larry Hoganโs latest actions to reopen Maryland, recreational activities such as miniature golf can now resume. Ocean Cityโs Old Pro Golf and Nickโs Mini Golf are both back to business outdoors with COVID-19 precautions in place, including the recommendation of masks while on the course. Old Pro Golf is extending its hours to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additionally, indoor courses and arcades are reopening at 68th and 136th Streets! Masks are required indoors.
Baja Amusements, which is home to eight go-kart tracks, one of which is suitable for children just five years old, is also resuming operations. They remind visitors to practice social distancing.
Jolly Roger at the Pier, SpeedWorld (30th Street), and Mini Golf (30th Street), and Jolly Roger Rides (30th Street) are back up and running. Splash Mountain (30th Street) is opening July 1. Hand sanitation stations have been placed throughout the Jolly Roger facilities and all employees will be wearing masks. For visitors, masks are recommended outside and required inside. You can even expect rides to be temporarily shut down throughout the day for sanitation, along with longer wait times since rides will be operating at limited capacity. Click here for a full list of COVID-19 precautions being taken.
If youโre ready for an outdoor adventure, you can head to OC Paintball or you can take a ride around town or over to Assateague on a Pedego electric bike. If you like guided tours and wild ponies, Assateague Island Tours offers surfing, fishing and even campfire options to explore the beaches and bays on the island.
Ocean City is a Watersports Town!
Odyssea Watersports , Action Watersports, and Bayside Boat Rentals offer many options to enjoy your day in the sun. Jetski tours around the bay, pontoon boat rentals, parasailing, kayak and SUP rentals are all options.
If you would rather have a captain manning the ship, try OC Bay Hopper’s Shore Craft Beer Cruises or ice cream cruises. They also serve as a water taxi if you want to avoid the roads. For a group, you could also book the Liquid Limo. There is a new large catamaran in town too that takes up to 12 out into the ocean for sunset cruises and more. Check out the Alyosha if you like a quiet cruise up the beach.
Finally, if you want a great meal AND a 45 minute sunset cruise, check out Captain Bill Bunting’s Angler. This family owned and operated business has been serving Ocean City for over 80 years. If you enjoy their cool bar setting with live music on the bay next to the Route 50 bridge, love their grouper fingers or large seafood platters, and spend at least $12 per person, you can get a $5 ticket for one of their evening cruises. This 45 minute trip takes you on a large boat around the West Ocean City harbor, out through the inlet, up the beach a little way, and back to dock. I have never failed to see dolphins on these trips, no promises of course, buy your odds are good. High Tide time is their happy hour and runs from 3 – 6 pm.
Boardwalk & Farmers Market
Jolly Roger at the Pier has the Looping Star roller coaster and traditional Giant Wheel ferris wheel which exhibits great colors as day turns into night. The sling shot marks the horizon with two high poles and the capsule that shoots you into the air. Many other rides are also available. You can purchase a Passport to Fun card. Covid changes allow you to swipe your pass yourself, preventing others from touching it. You can buy this pass online in advance to save you time. The card carries points for all their parks, including the Waterpark which opens July 1 and the points never expire.
Trimperโs Rides have reopened on the Boardwalk. Additionally, a new weekly farmers market, the Greenmarket, is open every Friday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. on South 1st Street. Activities include cooking demonstrations, performances by local artists, free tours of historic and restored rides, and prize opportunities. Glenn Irwin, Executive Director of the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC), which co-sponsors the event, says that last week, there were 12-14 vendors and this number is โbound to growโ. He adds that โit is a nice community event, it is a great source of fresh foods, and helps to support our local farmers.โ Click here to see more information about the Farmers Market!
The Arcades are now open. Marty’s Playland opened June 19th and they have installed hand sanitizing stations and other safety measures.
Shopping
Are you ready to shop? Most stores at the Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City are now open at 50% capacity with face coverings and limited hours. Outlets that have reopened their doors include: Coach, Chicoโs, Nike, Old Navy, and others. Brooks Brothers remains closed. Be sure to check with individual stores for hours.
Stores on the Boardwalk are also open for business, just remember to social distance and wear your mask inside!
Drive-in Movies
The Town of Ocean City has also begun hosting drive-in movies on Monday and Tuesday nights at the convention center. Click here for the entire summer schedule.
Berlin
You can also venture out to the nearby town of Berlin, where there is another farmers market each Sunday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Numerous shops and restaurants are all open, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Allison Early, Administrative Assistant for Economic and Community Development, says that โfor people who arenโt ready to dine indoors yet, we are continuing outdoor dining and have plenty of space.โ
We look forward to seeing you in Ocean City!
