By Sarah Fertsch
They share the same name, but who reigns as the Alpha Ocean City? While both are beach towns, they have very different qualities. Read on to learn about the similarities and differences between Ocean City, Maryland, and Ocean City, New Jersey.
Ocean City in Maryland is completely different from its New Jersey twin. It starts with the people it attracts. Ocean City, Maryland draws a more adult crowd from Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. This Maryland beach town is the home to several strip clubs, gay bars, and waterside resorts. Seacrets is the main attraction, taking up several blocks of beach property, and offers tens of restaurants and thrills for all kinds of (older) customers. The town appears to be a combination of Atlantic City and Wildwood.
The island is three times the size of Ocean City, New Jersey. It consists of over 150 blocks compared to New Jersey’s 70 blocks or so. However, their boardwalks are almost identical in length, with Ocean City, Maryland’s boardwalk being 2.6 miles compared to New Jersey’s 2.5 miles. Even though they are similar in length, they differ vastly in composition. New Jersey’s boardwalk is consistently full of restaurants, rides, and attractions with spots of hotels and houses on the ends. Maryland’s boardwalk has a much smaller main drag, and the majority of the boardwalk consists of condos and hotels. Ocean City, New Jersey draws crowds because of the boardwalk, not simply in relation to it.
The rides both draw tourists, specifically families. Ocean City, New Jersey has two main amusement parks: Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and Playland’s Castaway Cove. Ocean City, Maryland only has one: Trimper’s Rides. Trimper’s appears most like Castaway Cove. They both have a thriller roller coaster and a spinning coaster, and seem pretty modern when it comes to new, exciting rides.
There are pros and cons to each beach town, as well as pretty big differences. For one, Maryland’s Ocean City is the home to many bars and alcohol-serving restaurants. Ocean City, New Jersey is a dry town, meaning that you need to head over the bridge to buy a beer. Also, Ocean City, New Jersey requires beach tags. Maryland beaches are free. Ocean City, Maryland houses tourists mainly in hotels, whereas the New Jersey town specializes in rental houses.
The twin towns have rich histories. Both began as branches of the Coast Guard and served as “life-saving stations” in the mid-1800s. OCMD was founded in 1875, and OCNJ in 1879. Later, Ocean City, New Jersey evolved into a religious resort (one relic of the time: The Ocean City Tabernacle). Ocean City, Maryland was founded as a resort by investors from Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. Ocean City, Maryland grew to become the #1 Maryland resort island and as a result, developed a huge profit for advertising and city life. Ocean City, New Jersey is forced to compete with the tens of islands dotting the Jersey Shore, such as Wildwood, Seaside Heights, and Atlantic City. It just doesn’t have the budget to compete at the same level.
Prices are different, though. In Ocean City, NJ, you’ll find a hotel room for around $250 per night. In Ocean City, Maryland, you’ll find one for around $85 less. However, you’ll find cheaper rides, food, and fun in Ocean City, New Jersey compared to its southern counterpart. You’ll taste the greatest fudge in New Jersey from Shriver’s, who opened their doors in 1898. You’ll get there by bicycle, surrey, or on foot because unlike Ocean City, Maryland, its NJ twin has no tram car.
And while you are off the island, you can explore the exciting surrounding area, with Atlantic City just a tad north and Cape May down south. When it comes to Ocean City, Maryland, the main outside attraction is Assateague Island, a state park with beautiful beaches and wild horses.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: Ocean City, New Jersey is America’s Greatest Family Resort, and Ocean City, Maryland caters more to mature vacationers.
