By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
I have a confession to make. I vacationed in Ocean City, and not the one “down the shore.”
My friend and I booked a trip to Maryland’s Ocean City for several reasons. We wanted to explore a new-to-us beach town, and we wanted to check out Assateague Island, the shoreline known for free-roaming wild horses.
We stayed at the Wyndham, one of several high-rise hotels along the boardwalk. In fact, it was one of three Wyndham hotels on the island. Our GPS mistakenly led us to the wrong side of town, and because Maryland’s Ocean City is more than three times the size of ours, it took over an hour to get to our correct lodging.
When you think of our boardwalk, you likely picture several blocks of condensed shops and restaurants, bookended by two upscale hotels.
In Maryland, most beachfront properties are hotels and resorts, and restaurants and souvenir shops are far apart. Several stretches are more like Ventnor and Margate – lined with million-dollar vacation homes. Interested in mini golf? It could be more than a mile walk from one course to the next.
When everything felt foreign, I recognized some key storefronts. Fudge Kitchen was stirring up chocolate from a copper cauldron. A line formed in front of Kohr’s Custard as employees swirled creamsicle and vanilla onto cones. We spotted the Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Cinnabon and Polish Water Ice, too.
I was surprised by the brazen adult themes. Should we have grabbed lunch at the Brass Ball Saloon or Hooters or the Bad Ass Cafe? All three were beach-facing on the boardwalk. We could have made our way to the Ocean Downs Casino for gambling or horse racing. The SEAcrets resort offered plenty of adult entertainment every night of the week.
Delightfully, Ocean City in Maryland offers dozens of unique activities for vacationers and locals alike. With three amusement parks, three go-kart tracks and two water parks, Ocean City in New Jersey can’t compete.
In Maryland, you could rent a small airplane, explore the life-saving museum, befriend tropical birds at an aviary, feed sharks at the bowling alley and study a shipwreck.
Maryland’s Ocean City may provide variety, but you can’t beat New Jersey’s charm.
Our Ocean City’s rich, evangelical history is reflected through the historic Tabernacle, and family-friendly wholesome culture. You can pretend to be a pirate on a swashbuckler ship, stroll through Corson’s Inlet State Park, sip tea at the Flanders Hotel, or window-shop along Asbury Avenue.
New Jersey’s Ocean City charges for beach access through a beach tag system, which funds regular cleaning and maintenance. This system, though it might seem like a hassle, ensures pristine, uncrowded shorelines that locals and tourists alike appreciate.
Meanwhile, Ocean City, Maryland beaches are free and expansive, but they can become quite crowded during peak season. The larger crowds, combined with the presence of alcohol and a party atmosphere, sometimes result in a less pristine environment compared to New Jersey’s counterpart.
Ultimately, the Battle of the Ocean Cities comes down to personal preference. If you would prefer to sip beer on the beach, you should probably drive south. If you’re looking for cleaner sands and less commercialization, book your next getaway at the Ocean City in New Jersey. The well-kept beaches, charming boardwalk, and abundant family events solidify its reputation as a premier destination for a quintessential summer vacation.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more vibrant beach town experience with a lively nightlife and a more bustling environment, Ocean City, Maryland, might be the better fit. But for those who crave the ideal family beach vacation, the New Jersey town reigns supreme.
Ocean City, N.J.: serene, classic, and family-focused. Ocean City, Md.: lively, expansive and full of energy. Which will you choose?
