The Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland is an iconic landmark along the Atlantic coast. Built over 100 years ago, this Maryland beach tradition continues to thrive and attract visitors from around the state, the country, and the world. Spanning from S. 2nd Street to 27th Street, this celebrated stretch offers guests an array of entertainment options while visiting O.C. Here are 15 fun things to do on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland.
1. Stroll the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland
The Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland is steeped in history dating back to as early as 1902. The story goes that several hotel owners got together to put out a wooden walkway for their guests as a convenience and it would be taken up at high tide. The first permanent boardwalk was put down in 1910. Ever since, the Boardwalk in Ocean City has been a favorite attraction.
Spanning three miles and paralleling the ocean, the Boardwalk, which is also known as Atlantic Avenue, is the perfect place to stroll and take in the scenery. Best of all, it is free, fun, great exercise, and open 24/7.
If you prefer to eschew walking, there is a tram. Weather permitting, the Ocean City Boardwalk Tram is just $5 per person and takes riders from one end of the Boardwalk to the other and includes a special detour along the peer. Additionally, the tram makes several stops along the way and is a great way to take in the sea breeze and scenery.
2. Enjoy the Beach
Ocean City is famous for its beach. The resort town features 10 miles of coastline that runs parallel to the Atlantic on one side and three miles of that beach is parallel to the Boardwalk.
The beach is open from 5 am to midnight. Visitors to the Boardwalk can enjoy the beach from the comfort of benches along the boardwalk or step into the sand and dip their toes into the water. Beach access is free in Ocean City.
3. Fisher's Pop Corn
A perennial favorite on the Boardwalk in Ocean City is Fisher’s Pop Corn. The first Fisher’s location opened in 1937 at the corner of Talbot Street and the Boardwalk. Made using only the finest ingredients, the delicious caramel popcorn is an Ocean City tradition and a third-generation family business.
The skilled popcorn chefs at Fisher’s have been keeping the copper kettles cranking out tasty popcorn that brings customers back year after year to savor the yummy favorite. Eat it there or get it to go, either way this enticing popcorn is an Ocean City must. They also ship anywhere in the U.S. and to military addresses should you wish to share it as a gift.
4. Shop for T-Shirts
If you’re looking for a t-shirt to commemorate your visit to Ocean City, you’re in luck. There are numerous t-shirt shops and souvenir shops packed with all kinds of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and the like.
I don’t know exactly how many t-shirt shops there are, but you won’t have to walk far to find one. Whether you’re looking for a shirt with a funny saying written on it, a favorite sports team’s emblem, your all-time-favorite music group’s picture, or an Ocean City t-shirt, you can find it on the Boardwalk.
5. Take an Old-Time Photograph
For more than 45-years visitors to Ocean City’s Boardwalk have been capturing an old-fashioned memory at Flashback Old Time Photos.
Families, friends, couples, or a group, the costumes and poses are limitless at this Boardwalk stalwart. From country and western outfits, Victorian costumes, and the Roaring 20s, you name it, they have a theme that is certain to become a modern day antique classic you will keep for years to come.
Posing for one of these is always enjoyable. Even just browsing through the photo galleries was entertaining.
6. Dine on the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk in Ocean City is lined with outstanding dining options representing an array of cuisines. Boasting favorites from seafood, Maryland crabs, pizza, burgers, and more – the list is long and the selections endless.
For our visit we grabbed a table with a view of the ocean at Guido’s Burritos for some chips and salsa and a margarita. Later, we shared a pie at longtime boardwalk favorite, Tony’s Pizza. You really can’t go wrong with dining on the Boardwalk.
7. Enjoy the Sand
Sand Sculptor, Randy Hofman is a long-standing favorite in Ocean City. The talented artist sculpts the sand into amazing pieces of biblical sand art.
A reliable regular along the Boardwalk in Ocean City, his sand art can be found and admired in front of the Plim Plaza Hotel between 1st and 2nd Streets in Ocean City.
8. Thrasher's French Fries
There was one food request I made before visiting Ocean City — Thrasher’s French Fries.
In 1929, a man from Georgia, J.T. Thrasher, introduced the idea of a food stand dedicated to only one food item. Skeptics abound, but Thrasher’s idea proved to be a hit. Ever since, his specialty french fries have been an enduring favorite with locals and visitors alike.
I don’t know what it is, but to me, their fries seem to say “welcome to Ocean City.” In my opinion, no food is more closely associated with the Boardwalk than these fries. On summer days, the line can be quite long, and the wait hot, but the reward is great. They’ve even added a webcam so you can keep an eye on the line to time your purchase.
There is something special about that combination of french fries, the sea air, and salt and vinegar that delivers an unparalleled treat. Oh, and please don’t ask for ketchup. This is a salt and vinegar only stand.
9. The Purple Moose
Are you ready to rock?
The iconic Purple Moose Saloon is the hot spot for rock and roll music on the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Located between Talbot and Caroline Streets, the Purple Moose delivers some of the hottest live music the east coast has to offer all summer long.
The drinks are cold and the entertainment is off the charts at this storied saloon known for its live entertainment. Check out their calendar to discover what bands and performers are slated to entertain at the Purple Moose this summer.
Ocean City's Boardwalk is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. However, the beach is open from 5 a.m. to midnight. Pets are not allowed on the beach from May 1 through September 30th. For those planning to enjoy the water, there are public showers available at Caroline Street, Inlet Beach, and 9th Street. Additionally, there is a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for minors under the age of eighteen who are not with a parent or legal guardian.
10. Play Games
Games on the Boardwalk are fun for kids of all ages. There is a plethora of arcade and carnival-style games to select from and the prizes are abundant.
A little competitive fun is always a highlight of a visit to the Boardwalk. Even better, if you win that giant teddy bear you will have bragging rights backed up by proof of your prowess at boardwalk games.
11. Ride the Ferris Wheel
The Big Wheel is turning in Ocean City providing incredible views of the city. Get high above the beach and capture an uplifting memory of your visit.
Situated at the foot of the Boardwalk near the inlet, this 150-foot wheel with enclosed gondolas and dancing LED lights, towers over the beach and is a spectacular way to get an overview of Ocean City.
12. Frozen Custard
The light creamy texture and irresistible flavor of Kohr Brother’s Frozen Custard has been pleasing beach crowds since 1919.
Brothers Archie, Lester, and Elton Kohr perfected their recipe and took their frozen dessert to the ocean. Since that time, the treat has been a standard on the Boardwalk.
Still adhering to the time-proven recipe, Kohr Brothers custard is made using only the finest grade A milk, sugar, cream, and eggs. Not only is it delicious, this chilly delight has the flavor of ice cream without the calories of ice cream.
With multiple locations on the Boardwalk, guests can pop in for a tasty frozen custard and enjoy the flavor that has been a treat for generations.
13. Visit the Life-Saving Museum
Housed in a structure that has been a fixture in Ocean City since 1891, The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum is imbued with nautical history that tells the tale of ocean life and days gone by.
The museum gives visitors the opportunity to get a glimpse into life on the coast over time and the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
This small but mighty museum is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered. With permanent collections such as The Wreck in the Offing, Then & Now, The Boardwalk of Yesteryear, and Sands from Around the World, visitors can take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the region.
This museum is a reasonably priced and informative stop that is definitely worth making. It is open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Sunday, May through October, and from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, November through April.
14. Dumser's Ice Cream
Delicious ice cream with a rich history. That’s what Dumser’s Dairyland is serving in Ocean City. Since 1939 when Mrs. Gladys Dumsers started making her ice cream on the boardwalk, the tradition has carried on.
Today, Dumser’s Dairyland has seven locations throughout Ocean City, serving up the rich flavor and delicious tradition the family business is famous for.
Whether you’re reveling in a cone, a milkshake, or an ice cream float, their freshly made ice cream will become a special part of your Ocean City vacation and a treasured memory.
15. Trimper Rides
No visit to the Boardwalk in Ocean City is complete without including a Trimper Ride. An enduring legacy that dates back more than 130 years, Trimper Rides has been an integral part of Ocean City’s heritage and continues to be an important part of the city’s tourism and entertainment sector.
Founded by German immigrants, Daniel and Margaret Trimper in the late 19th-century, the amusements on the Boardwalk have been delighting guests with laughter and thrills ever since.
Trimper offers rides for kids of all ages and several timeless classics like their carousal and tiny boats. The Haunted House is a beloved thrill ride that my friends and I enjoyed for old-time’s sake when we visited. And yes, they got me, I screamed!
Trimper Rides offers a number of package options for purchasing tickets including a season pass, day or night wristbands, a Mega pass, and they also have a mobile app. Or, you can simply pay by the ride.
More fun on the Boardwalk in Ocean City
With well over a century of history and three miles of shops, restaurants, and attractions dotting the boardwalk, I have only scratched the surface when it comes to all the fun things to do at this iconic Ocean City landmark. There is much more to explore.
My friends and I journeyed to Ocean City for a girls’ getaway weekend that included some nostalgia. We recalled fond memories of teenage years spent in this seaside town and departed with new memories made all the more special by the setting, the sights, the sounds, and of course the camaraderie.
I know I’m not alone when I say, the Boardwalk in Ocean City isn’t just a location or an attraction. It’s family, it’s friends, it’s memories, and oh so much more. It’s the backdrop to so many happy times that we look back on and wistfully say, remember when…
Thanks for the memories Ocean City.
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