Ocean City (Baltimore: condos, hotels, live)

[CityGrrl77]

Hi everyone
Im from Ohio and the boyfriend and I would like to take his 7 year old son to a beach for vacation relatively soon (for his summer trip). We initially thought Florida but its too expensive and too crowded. So, it is now a toss up between Ocean City and Virginia Beach. I have been to Va Beach, and quite enjoyed it but I pretty much know nothing about Ocean City. Would it be a nice place to take him (the 7 year old)? What about hotels? We arent wanting to spend an arm and a leg, but don't want to stay in a motel 2 or more blocks from the beach either.
Any feedback would be great!
Thanks so much - and btw, Baltimore is super cool (I have been there)!
~D~

[Booner]

If I was taking a young kid I would stay in upper OC above the bridge at what I think is around 70 something street....really nice condos/places up there. The boardwalk runs from the inlet to 28th street but most of the action is between the inlet and about 12th street or so. Downtown is more crowded/loud although there are nice places there too. We always used to stay around 142nd street.

I prefer to stay in condos instead of hotels...I have always booked through cbvacations.com. It is prime time right now so all the hotels are at or near their highest prices of the summer.

As for OC vs VA beach...OC is more crowded. There are a lot of activities you can do with a 7 year old ( rides, putt putt, boardwalk,etc etc). It IS not cheap however. If you are staying for an extended amount of time I would bring most of your non perishable foods, etc. The grocery stores are small and expensive.


Personally in my honest opinion if I had to choose between the two I would choose Virginia beach..I like it better. Or Fenwick Island which is right above Ocean City...still within a quick drive to everything OC has to offer but much, much quieter- but truly anything in upper OC is very quiet as well. Fenwick may be cheaper, though.

[CityGrrl77]

Cool!
We were looking to stay probably 4 days, which isnt much, but it can add up quickly, monetary-wise.
I ordered a guide from the convention and visitor's bureau so Im hopin gthat will help as well.
It's hard to know what to look for - and especially given that we'll have a child with us.
Thanks for the info.

[cory81]

Ocean City is far and away a better place IMO, because the sand isn't loaded - and I mean LOADED - with debris like Virigina Beach is. When you walk on Virigina Beach, you step all over pieces of seaweed, wood, rocks and shells. In Ocean City, the sand is exactly what you would expect from a regular beach. In Virgina Beach, laying on a blanket and sunbathing would probably feel like laying on a bed of nails. LOL. Perhaps that's going a bit too far, but still. Ocean City does tend to attract more partygoers, but that doesn't offset the advantages of a much better beach, IMO.

[bunky3301]

I would say with a 7 year old he/she would have more fun at Ocean City.If your only going to stay 4 days or so booking a hotel anywhere above 30th street should be fine and be away from the noise of the boardwalk. Don't get me wrong the boardwalk is fun and has a alot to do for all ages.

I lived in Virginia Beach for 3 years a 1/2 mile from the resort/beach area and loved it. I don't know what the previous guy is talking about VB's beach in very, very clean.

Anyway I think Ocean City is still very much a family resort, and even though we lived at Virginia Beach we would often drive up to Ocean City for a different scene. Theres alot more going on in Ocean City.

Last but not least.....you have to EAT "THRASHERS FRENCH FRIES" there on the boardwalk down toward the inlet....you can't miss it ....they'll be a long , long line of people waiting to have the best Fries on the East Coast.

[ESFP]

Watch Ocean City Maryland Cams -- Boardwalk Cam to see the current conditions (weather and crowd) in Ocean City. This is a live boardwalk camera that helps us decide whether we want to fight the crowd or visit on a slow weekend.

[CityGrrl77]

We chose Ocean City mainly for the fun-factor and because we have never been there before.
Thank you to everyone who responded - I appreciated your help in making a selection
~D~

[lscalder]

I went to ocean City last summer. The Beach is nothing but mud water. The water is dirty. You have to go there just to see how dirty the water is. No one was swimming in the water. I would never advise anyone to swim in the water. Do not let the child get near the water. The water looks like mid night.

I have been to beaches where you can see the little baby fishes swimming by. I have been to beaches where you can see the bottow of the water and the coral.

Ocean City is not like those beaches. I could not see anything in the water.


My mom been to Virginia beach and she told me the water is clean and the beach is very clean. If my mom said something is clean then its clean. My mother is a clean freak.

[Tim Rankin]

Ocean City is a great choice; we were just there with our 3 yr. old. The beach is really wide, and the boardwalk goes on forever. Very family-oriented too.

The only negatives are the outrageous prices being charged for drinks & food - truly over the top. Take your own. But aside from that it was great!

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by lscalder

I went to ocean City last summer. The Beach is nothing but mud water. The water is dirty. You have to go there just to see how dirty the water is. No one was swimming in the water. I would never advise anyone to swim in the water. Do not let the child get near the water. The water looks like mid night.

I have been to beaches where you can see the little baby fishes swimming by. I have been to beaches where you can see the bottow of the water and the coral.

Ocean City is not like those beaches. I could not see anything in the water.


My mom been to Virginia beach and she told me the water is clean and the beach is very clean. If my mom said something is clean then its clean. My mother is a clean freak.

I find it hard to believe that in the summer no one was in the water at Ocean City Maryland. I've gone to OC since I was a little kid and you can't see in the water ever, it's not the tropics. You can't snorkel there and see anything at the shoreline. They dive offshore but thats miles out. What beaches in the North have you been to where you've seen coral?? None..maybe down in South Florida or somewhere in the Carribean?

The clarity of the water has always been the same and doesn't mean its dirty. Northern beaches like Ocean City at the shoreline the visibility has always been a few feet at the most. There would be major health warnings if there was a problem with the water.

As far as Va. Beach goes it has the same clarity of water that Ocean City has and its true it does have nice beaches as well. Va. Beach doesn't get anywhere near the visiters that Ocean City gets.

Don't worry Ocean City beaches are fine and so is the water.....dive right in !!!!!!!!!!