Note: All travel is subject to frequently-changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state, and local advisories before scheduling trips.
When summer arrives, folks along the Eastern Seaboard—and beyond—flock to Ocean City, Maryland. The quintessential American beach town beckons families and friends with its buzzing boardwalk, long sandy stretches of beachfront, and amusement parks galore. Even the restaurants have epic playgrounds to keep the kiddos entertained all vacation long. With so many exciting options to choose from, we’ve highlighted 9 of our favorite family-friendly things to do in Ocean City, Maryland.
RELATED: These are the top Ocean City hotels for families
Frontier Town Water Park & Mini Golf
Kids of all ages will find fun at Frontier Town Water Park & Mini Golf. This Western-themed amusement park offers everything from splash pads and cactus fountains for the little ones to exhilarating water slides, like The Rattler, for the big kids.
Summer concerts at Sunset Park
Thursday evenings, stroll over to Sunset Park and listen to live music while watching the sun melt into the horizon overlooking Isle of Wight Bay. This free summer concert series runs in July and August from 7–9pm.
Gone fishin’
Hop aboard one of the many “Head Boats” in Ocean City to cast your line in the fish-filled waters of the Atlantic. These boats charge by the individual (per head) and are easy to find. Just make your reservation in advance if you can; the boats are quite popular and getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience Ocean City!
Hit the beach
No matter where you are in Ocean City, you’re always just a block or two from the water. This beloved American beach town boasts more than 10 miles of sandy beachfront completely free and accessible to everyone. Bring your kites, sand castle toys, boogie board, and whatever else you’ve got to spend a fun-filled day by the water.
Buzz along the Boardwalk
Ocean City is home to one of the best classic American boardwalks in the country. The 3-mile stretch of wooden boardwalk remains bustling all summer long with families noshing tasty treats like Maryland crab cakes and enjoying amusements like Ferris wheels and carousels.
Dine at Dead Freddies
This festive family-friendly restaurant doesn’t just cater to the kiddos with some crayons and a lawn space; they have an entire pirate ship playground! Parents can enjoy their famous wings and a nice cold draft beer while watching their little ones climb the pirate ship wall or breeze down the tunnel slides.
Have fun at the 30th Street Jolly Roger
Jolly Roger has a few amusement outposts around town, but their mainstay is located at 30th Street. Here, your family can pick from thrilling park rides, bumper cars, mini golf, and more. They also have a location on the southern end of the boardwalk if you’re seeking more Jolly Roger fun!
Hang with wild horses on Assateague Island
Looking for a nature-filled day trip? Just 8 miles south of Ocean City, you’ll find Assateague Island National Seashore. This 37-mile-long island is best known for its herds of wild horses, rumored to have survived a Spanish shipwreck hundreds of years ago. Take in miles of beautiful beaches and watch the horses graze and gallop, or opt for a hike along one of the trails.
Get your thrills at Trimper’s Amusement Park
This charmingly old-school theme park dates back to the late 1800s. Bring the family to enjoy more than 100 rides (some are indoors, just in case the weather turns), take a whirl on the mini merry-go-round, or go for the adrenaline rush of one of the park’s roller coasters.
Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.