10 Best Family Things to Do in Ocean City
What to Do for Fun in Ocean City with Your Kids?
The best family things to do in Ocean City include sun-filled days on the beach, discovering thrilling marine life, and having fun in amusement parks. Ocean City is an ideal seaside escape for families thanks to its superb stretch of sand and friendly resort-town vibe on the Maryland coast.
The beach offers plenty to do for all ages, whether it’s learning to surf or simply splashing in the shallows. Kids are sure to be enthralled by beautiful seascapes whether peering over the end of a pier or cruising on a boat. Ocean City boasts a myriad of amusement parks, mini golf courses, and family-friendly dining spots to explore.
What are the best family things to do in Ocean City?
1. Ocean City beach
Surf, swim, and savor the salty air
Good for: Families, Budget, Photo
The spectacular Ocean City beach that extends 9 miles (15 km) up the Atlantic coast offers endless space for families to play and relax. Stop by a surf shop to rent kayaks, SUP boards, or surf boards for a day of splashy fun.
Learn to ride the waves in a surfing class like those offered by the surfing schools along the coast. Soar over the sea like an eagle in a parasailing session or try a bit of surf fishing. Wander the sands at sunrise or spend a sunny afternoon building sandcastles. Just don’t forget the camera to capture those beachy family memories.
Location: 4019 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Ocean City beach
2. Playing mini-golf
18 holes plus a whole lot of fun
Good for: Families, Photo
Hone your putting skills while immersing yourself into the fun fantasy worlds created by Ocean City’s mini-golf courses. Play among fierce life-sized dinosaurs at either of the 2 Nick’s Mini Golf courses, while a third location takes you to tropical Maui with its Hawaiian theme.
Launch a quest for gold through caves and waterfalls while you play at Lost Treasure Golf, with 2 elaborately designed courses in Ocean City. And there’s no need to skip out on mini golf if it’s raining, with Old Pro’s 136th Street location and Haunted Golf on the boardwalk among the indoor courses to choose from.
Playing mini-golf
3. Jolly Roger amusement parks
Two pirate theme parks for double the joy
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
Jolly Roger at 30th street is packed full of amusement park rides for all ages. Take a spin on the tea cups or the Ferris wheel, and reach new heights on the Riptide roller coaster. Let the kids scramble and fly on the zipline and ropes courses, or catch a leisurely ride around the park on the Iron Horse Express, a colorful train from the 1950s.
Go for more thrill-filled hours at Jolly Roger at the Pier. Fly high on the Slingshot or get the heart racing on a tiptoe through the Morbid Manor haunted house. Opening hours change with the seasons and weather conditions, so check online or call ahead when planning a visit.
Open: Hours vary by season
Jolly Roger amusement parks
4. Frontier Town
Where gunslingers meet water sliders
Good for: Families, Photo
Frontier Town is a scenic campground set on Sinepuxent Bay that welcomes non-campers to explore its Western theme park, water park and mini-golf course. Watch cowboys duking it out in the Wild West shows and ride the horse-drawn stagecoach around the old-timey village setting.
Go for a relaxing ride down the lazy river or fly through the air at the High Ropes Adventure Park zipline. Be sure to check Frontier Town’s schedule to catch one of its family-friendly events like firework shows, space camp or summer barbecues. The campground and parks close from early September through mid-May.
Location: 8430 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, USA
Open: Mid-May–early September: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Sunday from 11.45 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 410-641-0880
Frontier Town
5. Flying a kite at Northside Park
A local favorite for fitness and festivities
Good for: Families, Budget
There’s plenty of space for the kids to roam and fly kites at Northside Park with playgrounds, picnic areas, walking paths and sports facilities. Go crabbing at the pier or enjoy the sea breezes while kicking around a soccer ball or playing catch.
Be sure not to miss the family-friendly events that are staged at Northside throughout the year. Sundaes in the Park is a weekly festival held every Sunday during the summer months with free concerts, fireworks, and sundae making sessions. If you’re visiting in late November or December, the park’s colourful WinterFest of Lights is a must-see.
Location: 200 125th St, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Phone: +1 410-250-0125
Flying a kite at Northside Park
6. Dolphin spotting on a boat cruise
Where to get close to nature
Good for: Families, Photo, Couples
Dolphins are among the most playful creatures on earth and they’re a lot of fun to watch in the wild aboard a boat. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin pods are most plentiful off Ocean City’s shores through the summer months and the best way to see them is on a leisurely boat cruise.
Join a boat cruise and explore the area’s beautiful coastal sights including Assateague Island and its wild horses. Or if you try a fishing tour there’s a good chance of sighting dolphins while you search the sea for white marlin or tuna.
Dolphin spotting on a boat cruise
7. Dining and playing at a themed restaurant
Lots to do for your hungry little pirates
Good for: Families, Food
Even the most reluctant eaters might be coaxed to try some of Ocean City’s family-friendly themed restaurants, where heaps of fun are served up as well as the food. Kids will love exploring the pirate ship in the play area of Dead Freddies Island Grill, which also has an outdoor bar for the grown-ups.
With a playground on the sand, de Lazy Lizard offers plenty of space for kids to run around after scarfing down their cheeseburger or taco. Ropewalk features a big outdoor playground and sea views to enjoy while gorging on crab cakes or crispy clam strips. Kids’ meals are served on a souvenir frisbee.
Dining and playing at a themed restaurant
8. Strolling and snacking on the boardwalk
Yummy treats to go on the seaside
Good for: Food, Budget, History
While the sea views are sure to lure you to Ocean City’s boardwalk, you could easily stay for hours just grazing on all the tempting food choices. Many shops along the 3 miles (5 km) wooden pathway are set up for families on the move, serving tasty takeout meals and snacks.
Go for something salty at the long-running Thasher’s French Fries, with 3 locations along the boardwalk. Fuel your seaside wandering with some saltwater taffy from Candy Kitchen or a colorful cone from Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard. If you can’t decide between salty or sweet, have a taste of both at Fisher’s Popcorn with its caramel popcorn with a touch of salt.
Strolling and snacking on the boardwalk
9. Ripley’s Believe it Or Not
Oddball artifacts and curiosities
Good for: Families, Photo
Ripley’s Believe it Or Not is a popular boardwalk attraction and it’s easy to find; just look for the giant shark bursting out of the side of a building. Ripley’s offers an odd assortment of things for curious minds to discover, from shrunken head displays to a dizzying walk through the Vortex tunnel.
Spend an hour wandering through the museum’s 500 exhibits covering a wide spectrum of the weird and wonderful. Save some money and triple your fun by buying a combo ticket for the attached Marvelous Mirror Maze and Impossible Laser Race.
Location: 401 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 410-289-5600
Ripley’s Believe it Or Not
10. Pier fishing
Also a great place to just watch the locals reeling them in
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
Head out to one of the Ocean City piers for a fun-filled fishing session with the family. Patience and a bit of good luck might reward you with a sea trout, flounder, rockfish, bluefish, and more. The fish are biting in Ocean City and there’s no need to rent a boat to catch one.
Public piers with free entry include the 3rd Street and 9th Street piers. At OC Fishing Pier you can rent all the fishing gear you need and also try some crabbing. The private Oceanic Fishing Pier, open 24 hours from May to December, is a great spot for sunsets and night fishing.
Pier fishing
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
