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Getaway Guide to Ocean City, MD

The beach is the main attraction in Ocean City, Maryland's only coastal community. Once a sleepy fishing village, anglers still come here for a fishing getaway. The beaches stretch along 10 miles, from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The southern tip is home to a three-mile wooden boardwalk where visitors enjoy food, games and shopping. There is plenty to do during the summer season including concerts, beach bonfires and kids' activities.

Related: Ocean City's 2.5-Mile Boardwalk Gets New Boards

Getting There

It will take about three hours to reach Ocean City, Maryland from Philadelphia. Take I-95 South into northern Delaware, exiting at 4B/ Christiana Mall on Delaware Route 1, and heading south toward Dover. U.S. 113 splits from Delaware 1 south of Dover. Take U.S. 113 south into Maryland, then turn east on either Maryland Route 90 or U.S. 50 to Ocean City.

What to Do

48th Street Watersports
48th Street Bayside
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 524-9150
48thstreetwatersports.com

Price: $15 per hour for a single kayak rental/$50 an hour for a 16-foot catamaran rental

48th Street Watersports is the perfect place for a fun day in the sun for any age group and experience level. Rentals and lessons are available for sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. If you'd like something a little more formal, enjoy one of 48th Street Watersports' eco tours. These tours are family friendly and are a great way to learn about Ocean City's ecosystem and catch a glimpse at wildlife in its natural habitat. 48th Street Watersports will also deliver if you want to find and explore your own new favorite spot.

Assateague Island National Park
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-1441
assateagueisland.com

Price:  $3 daily fee

Assateague Island National Seashore is located less than 10 miles from Ocean City and is worth the drive to catch a glimpse of the 300 wild ponies that wander the salt marshes, beaches and inland pine forest. Fun times on Assateague Island include seashell collecting along seldom-traveled sands, four-wheel driving on the beach, surf fishing, clamming, swimming and beach hiking. For active families or couples, the national park is a must-see.

Related:
2 New Ponies Born On Assateague Island In Maryland

Lodging

Frontier Town
8428 Stephen Decatur Highway
Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-0693
frontiertown.com

Price: $161 to $917 per week depending on site, amenities and time of year

If you're looking for unusual accommodations, just five minutes from Ocean City is Frontier Town, a premier camping resort. Frontier Town sits along stunning Sinepuxent Bay with more than 500 spacious campsites, including everything from primitive tent sites to giant motor homes and fully equipped cabins. Frontier Town also features a waterpark, a mini-golf course and a Wild West show the whole family will enjoy.

Dining

Macky's Bayside Bar & Grill
54th Street on the Bay
Ocean City, MD
(410) 723-5565
mackys.com

If you're hungry, but you aren't ready to leave the beach, head to Macky's Bayside Bar & Grill. The rustic waterfront restaurant and bar is open-air and offers a private beach with tables and chairs at the water's edge. Macky's is a family owned business, serving tourists for the past 34 years. Enjoy the freshest seafood along with tropical drinks including the Dirty Banana, or Macky's special Mojo Rumba. And you can feel good about supporting Macky's because it supports Ocean City. Its success in the past 34 years has allowed the company to give back to its community and donate more than $450,000 to local charities.

The Fractured Prune
127th Street and Coastal Highway
North Bay Shopping Center
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 250-4400
fracturedprune.com

Doughnuts may not be the first thing you think about when you're at the shore, but The Fractured Prune creates hot, hand-dipped doughnuts you won't want to miss out on. In addition to flavors such as peanut butter cup (mini chocolate chips and peanut butter glaze), Creamsicle (powdered sugar, orange glaze) and black forest (coconut, raspberry glaze, mini chocolate chips), you can create your own recipe using any of the available eight toppings, 16 glazes and three types of sugar. If you're traveling with the family, the kids' meal (two doughnuts and eight ounces of milk) is served on a Frisbee – perfect for fun on the beach later.

Maddie Wagner is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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