Ocean City MD. I don't get the appeal???? (North Beach: live, restaurant)

[DaveinMtAiry]

I can't believe this thread is still active.

Ocean City is great for a short 4-5 day trip. I'm not driving to the airport, flying and dealing with security and possibly customs, renting a car, then doing the same for the trip home for a 4 day trip. OC offers us a much easier option. We can leave at 9 and be on the beach shortly after noon. For short or a week long trips bringing our own drinks and things to eat can save a ton of money over a trip to the Caribbean where everything you consume has to be purchased there.

If they were all booked up that's on you for not looking earlier.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by columbusboy8

I read this article with interest, and agree with most of everything! I also want to remind folks that Western Maryland, specifically Garrett County and the Wisp Resort/Deep Creek Lake area, offers a very relaxing change of pace, even in the summer! It's a four-season resort area in the mountains, with lots of things to do, and is less 4 hours from Baltimore/DC! EVERY year, the Fall foliage is gorgeous...and ski season is coming up mid-December. Last year the skiing was GREAT! My family alternates each year between the beach and the mountains. Everyone's happy!

The thing is with Wisp is that in the summer at Ocean City you can always go to the beach, not that much to do in Wisp if you're not a hiker/backpacker/nature person (I personally don't go into the woods much in summer because I'm a tick magnet).

Also, and people haven't mentioned this, Ocean City has a booming business for conventions/large conferences and the facilities to serve them, something Western Maryland doesn't really have.

I know one year the MML held its Winter Conference at Wisp. My God, you should have heard the bitching and moaning from the Montgomery and Prince George's delegations. It's a smaller conference than the summer one held in Ocean City. I only went to the Winter one once, it was near me in Solomon's, and it was mostly local officials trying to show how important and sophisticated they were instead of having vendors and workshops.

[Babe_Ruth]

I love me some '80s & '90s Ocean City..

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

The thing is with Wisp is that in the summer at Ocean City you can always go to the beach, not that much to do in Wisp if you're not a hiker/backpacker/nature person (I personally don't go into the woods much in summer because I'm a tick magnet).

Also, and people haven't mentioned this, Ocean City has a booming business for conventions/large conferences and the facilities to serve them, something Western Maryland doesn't really have.

I know one year the MML held its Winter Conference at Wisp. My God, you should have heard the bitching and moaning from the Montgomery and Prince George's delegations. It's a smaller conference than the summer one held in Ocean City. I only went to the Winter one once, it was near me in Solomon's, and it was mostly local officials trying to show how important and sophisticated they were instead of having vendors and workshops.

Deep Creek has built up a staple of non-woods related activities to try and fill up summer calendars. Boating, jet skis, and various lake activities are an option. There are batting cages, mini-golf, arcades, a few indoor nature centers, that sort of thing. I know lots of "don't like hiking" people who go up to Deep Creek just to beat the heat. It is almost always pleasant up there, even in the dog days of summer.

The conference scene in Western Maryland never took off as hoped. Rocky Gap couldn't make enough coin off of it, hence the casino. Canal Place brought in a developer who built a hotel without any convention space (one of their various missteps that still affect the space to this day.) I would guess Garrett County does better, but it is hard to compete with the beach as a destination convention location.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

No, you are wrong. Some , like me , want a real adult vacation. I don't want screaming kids, crowded beaches, strict rules and dumps that masquerade as hotels that I have to pay a premium to stay in. There is no trying to "one up" anyone. That's a ridiculous statement. You and others are trying to justify your decision and inability to look outside the box. Most that vacation in OC haven't traveled to the Caribbean. It's affordable if you do your homework ,and far superior to anything OC can offer. If you have not seen clear blue water you are missing out on a beautiful experience.

Then why are you going to Ocean City?? It’s not for that- it’s for exactly what I just said. You can literally go be a snob somewhere else. I dont notice any kids screaming fwiw.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

The thing is with Wisp is that in the summer at Ocean City you can always go to the beach, not that much to do in Wisp if you're not a hiker/backpacker/nature person (I personally don't go into the woods much in summer because I'm a tick magnet).

Also, and people haven't mentioned this, Ocean City has a booming business for conventions/large conferences and the facilities to serve them, something Western Maryland doesn't really have.

I know one year the MML held its Winter Conference at Wisp. My God, you should have heard the bitching and moaning from the Montgomery and Prince George's delegations. It's a smaller conference than the summer one held in Ocean City. I only went to the Winter one once, it was near me in Solomon's, and it was mostly local officials trying to show how important and sophisticated they were instead of having vendors and workshops.

Ticks have been bad up here. I think this is the first year in 3 or 4 where my family hasn't found at least one. If you stay on-trail, use DEET spray, long pants, and do tick checks ASAP, you tend to avoid or find most of them before they embed. They are a real issue though, my habits have definitely changed over the last 5 years or so because of the tick load in lots of places I liked to hike. I have abandoned all but the most open game trails with little underbrush, and tend to stick to licks (what we call intermittent stream beds up here) instead when I want to go off-trail. I found some neat places exploring this way, but am always weary of the little blood suckers.

[skeddy]

the best time to come to Ocean City is late September and this year most of October. Hardly any traffic this time of year. Lights are synchronized much different than 8 weeks ago. You can still go to the beach, you can still buy french fries and bring your dog along after September 30th.

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Then why are you going to Ocean City?? It’s not for that- it’s for exactly what I just said. You can literally go be a snob somewhere else. I dont notice any kids screaming fwiw.

Not a snob, boy, that is strictly reserved for Boston people. You don’t get it. If you like Ocean City, have at it. I prefer a more peaceful existence at an couples only adult Disney land. It's called different strokes for different folks...you need to grow up.

[DaveinMtAiry]

I have spent a ton of time in the woods, I take my dogs on runs 3-4 times a week, tramped through woods trying to retrieve errant golf shots. I wear shorts and Tevas all summer. And I rarely get ticks, don't even bother looking for them. Not sure why that is.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

Not a snob, boy, that is strictly reserved for Boston people. You don’t get it. If you like Ocean City, have at it. I prefer a more peaceful existence at an couples only adult Disney land. It's called different strokes for different folks...you need to grow up.

Translation:

I want to get **** faced on the beach.