Sample these Spots in North OCMD

As a lifelong Marylander, Ocean City, MD is literally a second hometown. I’ve traveled there every summer since the 1980’s and now my kids are along for the ride We are fortunate to have a “shore shack” on 130th street in North Ocean City but there are plenty of places to stay if you are just starting to explore Ocean City for your self.   Check out some of our favorite spots.

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Tea Boss

Ice Cream, Boba, and… Sushi. It just works.

My kids found this casual spot hidden in a shopping center on Coastal Highway and I have to say its menu keeps us coming back. The kids love to order from their vast menu of Boba tea flavors and pearl choices, watch their ice cream crepe sundaes get made on the cold stone, and I like to eat their simple sushi. The sushi menu is fairly limited but it’s always fresh and convenient when I want to eat something too but don’t necessarily want something sweet. There are a couple of tables inside or eat outside. 

“The Best” Crabs Seafood Company

You can trust this place

This place truly is the “best’ when it comes to fresh and delicious steamed crabs that are priced appropriately and reliably good. Everyone in Maryland knows it can be hard to find a place to trust when it comes to ordering crabs to avoid getting an overpriced and undelicious dinner. The Best Crabs also offers sides like corn, soups, and pasta and potato salads so check out their full menu. They also have brown paper and mallets to go. We always order the crabs for pick up and eat them at home but there are a few tables outside you can sit at and enjoy in their parking lot. It’s almost in Delaware but can be found on the Maryland side of shoreline.  

Dunkin’

Trust me on this one.

I know a Dunkin Donuts seems like a banal recommendation but trust me on this one. This Dunkin in 119th Street is one of the rare stores that has the bakery on-site. The result? You are greeted with fresh doughnuts in a greater variety than your typical Dunkin where donuts are delivered and the good ones sell out quickly. Pro tip, order ahead to avoid the crowds, especially in the peak summer season.

Über Bagels & Deli

The soft bagels in a variety of flavors please the hungry masses.

There is something about eating a fresh, tasty bagel and,when you have found a good spot, you just know. This north Ocean City spot is always packed with people looking to devour one of their many flavored bagels or a breakfast sandwich on a bagel. I personally like the Chesapeake bagel, which is seasoned with crab, Old Bay-like spices, or the sticky sweet Cinnamon Sugar bagel. My kids love the Everything and Plain. My sister recently turned my my husband and I onto the jalepeno cream cheese. Try it! Also, I suggest ordering ahead online when it is available because the lines, especially on the weekends, can be intense. 

Candy Kitchen

Tax Free Shopping

Open:9am-10pm

There is no shortage of Candy Kitchen stores in Ocean City, MD but if you are staying in north Ocean City it might be worth it to drive a few minutes to the Fenwick Island, DE location. Here you can shop sales tax free and still get the huge selection of your favorite candies and toys. My favorites are the red shoelaces (licorice), assorted Swedish Fish, and milk chocolate covered pretzels. My husband likes the cashew clusters. My kids love the sour rainbows and sour watermelons and have collected more stuffies from that place than we know what to do with.  Candy Kitchen, no matter the location, is an important destination in your trip to Ocean City. There are few others in OC that offer the same level of freshness and selection. 

Whether it’s a rainy forecast, a sunburn, or a need for variety, sometimes you need to look beyond the beach or pool to find some fun in Ocean City. 

Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos

There is Fun to be Found Here!

You don’t have to be a hotel guest at the classic hotel to find fun at The Carousel. My kids usually demand a trip to the Carousel during our longer stays in Ocean City, especially if it’s raining. There is an indoor ice rink if you are feeling inclined to lace up your skates (rentals available) and twirl around. It is beginner friendly which means they have the guards you can lean on and there are plenty of others just starting out.  Enjoy the music and get your skate on! There are also daily ice shows, performed by Ice Age, during the week.

There is also an arcade and a central plaza with mini-rides and a snack bar that provide a surprising amount of entertainment too. The gift shop also has funny t-shirts, post cards, and beach gear worth perusing.  While it’s been years since I’ve gone, there is also an outdoor beach bar you can have lunch at if you decided to go to the beach nearby. 

AlleyOops Uptown

Your kids favorite arcade without having to travel all the way  to the boardwalk.

My kids are obsessed with this place. Admittedly, it is like a casino for children which is probably why they are hooked. In concept, there is a full sit-down restaurant and bar for the parents to eat and drink while the kids play but we honestly just come for the games and skip the menu. The offer a ton of video and arcade games, including Virtual Reality (VR) and some old-fashioned, but updated, games like Skeeball, ring toss, and Whack-a-Mole. There is even Duck Pin Bowling which is a Maryland tradition and the kids appreciate the smaller bar. At the end of the night, the kids can use the points they have accumulated on their rechargeable plastic game cards to cash in for prizes like we used to with tickets or you can accumulate them over time for bigger prizes. While you will spend all you money at the kids casino, it is definitely full of fun for them and sometimes even the parents. 

Northside Park

Spend some time at this bayside outdoor destination.

Try to make a stop at Northside Park for a morning run, afternoon walk, or evening bike ride or enjoy the activities like fishing, crabbing, or kayaking. A long pier makes fishing and crabbing accessible to almost anyone with strong or a rod and a permit is not required.  My kids have never gotten tired of the playground after more than a decade. If so inclined, teens and adults can also use the outdoor exercise equipment. The park is home to Ocean City’s Sundaes in the Park every summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day which includes free ice cream and fireworks. There are also lots of summer camps offered through the town’s recreation department. The park even transforms into a festive winter  light show between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I

Old Pro Golf 

Indoor or Outdoor Mini Golf Option

Open:9am-11pm

Call it mini golf or “putt putt”, as some people say, the Old Pro Golf 136th Street location is our favorite in North OC. My kids love the indoor golf option since the weather can be unpredictable or maybe they just like being in the climate control. That said, we have golfed the outdoor pirate course more times than I can remember. In fact, I’ve been golfing on the pirate ship course since I was a wee babe in the early 1980’s. They’ve made a few changes to the course but it’s almost identical to what I remember as a kid. I love continuing the tradition with my kids that started with my parents and grandparents. There is also an arcade inside if you want to get really wild!

Thinking about going? If you need a place to stay, consider visiting Expedia for your lodging needs.

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