ellen griswold-? on Ocean city md
Jun 26th, 2005, 10:32 AM
#1
ellen griswold-? on Ocean city md
HI Ellen,
We are thinking of the same trip you must have taken last year. We were thinking boardwalk- Wildwood or Ocean city. Both have a ton of dumpy looking motels. I too, am hoping for something nicer.
How was your experience at OC? Do you recommend it?
Thanks.
We are thinking of the same trip you must have taken last year. We were thinking boardwalk- Wildwood or Ocean city. Both have a ton of dumpy looking motels. I too, am hoping for something nicer.
How was your experience at OC? Do you recommend it?
Thanks.
Jun 26th, 2005, 12:39 PM
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Hi
Maybe Ellen's off on another vacation but here's her trip report on OC.
Author: ellen_griswold
Date: 07/08/2004, 10:08 am
Just back from Ocean City, MD and want to thank everyone for their advice. Here's a brief report in case it may help someone else.
Hadn't done a summer beach vacation in years and while i'm still majorly bummed we can't do an out-west road trip like the past 8 years, OC was still great fun. Ocean City is a wonderful family resort. While not sub-tropical it's a much quicker drive for those in the northeast/mid-west areas, especially for a getaway of only 4 nights. And certainly hot enough to get an unwanted burn! Very family oriented, always felt comfortable. Loved seeing so many families, including mult-generational groups w/ grandparents etc.
Stayed at Castle in the Sand on the ocean at 37th. Somewhat time-warped (as much of OC) but very clean and very convenient. Glad we didn't stay ON the boardwalk or in 'uptown'(in the 100s) as both were extremely crowded and the crowds a bit different. The upper 100's have hi-rise condos etc and not my cup of tea when on the beach; we loved being just steps to the ocean and olympic sized pool with DIVING BOARD, a rarity anywhere these days. Our oceanfront efficiency had a private balcony and perfect view.
Restaurants:
- "Philips", excellent crabcakes but not as good as annapolis, imo.
- "Shark", a delightfully different bay-side place with mult-level dining, including on the beach and wrap around deck. Excellent lobster bisque in a bowl and the crab stuffed flounder was to die for.
- Hoopers on RT 50 - ate in "Sneaky Petes", a unique gazebo at the end of the pier. Really good crab imperial.
- Tony's Pizza on the boardwalk. Chose the sit-down upper deck w/wait staff, pricey for pizza because we ate inside but great view of ocean and also great people-watching on the boardwalk below
- Coconuts beachfront bar and grille at our motel was great! Ate lunch there each day in our suits, delicious flounder sandwiches, fun live band playing 70-80-90's music, the crowd often sang along! Good times.
And as others have said, the old-fashioned boardwalk is really fun. Loved thrasher's fries, dumsers ice cream and the best carmel corn ever - can't remember the name but they've supposedly been there for decades. Like a slice of old time americana, nothing at all like hilton head or myrtle beach (altho we love both of them, too) and certainly not destin, but we will definitly return.
Thanks again for your help Fodorites (LN!). As i did my morning run each day, i made mental notes of other motels along the ocean so let me know if you have any questions.
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Author: ellen_griswold
Date: 07/08/2004, 10:18 am
Also wanted to add that it wasn't necessary to use OC transportation. We drove to the boardwalk and found parking in metered areas. Maybe we were just lucky as i've heard parking is a nightmare, but it wasn't for us. (Rt 50 leaving however, is another story!) The kids both enjoyed the boardwalk also, and while we did see groups of teens, they were for the most part with parents. Also, the shuttle is $2.50 per person each way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe Ellen's off on another vacation but here's her trip report on OC.
Author: ellen_griswold
Date: 07/08/2004, 10:08 am
Just back from Ocean City, MD and want to thank everyone for their advice. Here's a brief report in case it may help someone else.
Hadn't done a summer beach vacation in years and while i'm still majorly bummed we can't do an out-west road trip like the past 8 years, OC was still great fun. Ocean City is a wonderful family resort. While not sub-tropical it's a much quicker drive for those in the northeast/mid-west areas, especially for a getaway of only 4 nights. And certainly hot enough to get an unwanted burn! Very family oriented, always felt comfortable. Loved seeing so many families, including mult-generational groups w/ grandparents etc.
Stayed at Castle in the Sand on the ocean at 37th. Somewhat time-warped (as much of OC) but very clean and very convenient. Glad we didn't stay ON the boardwalk or in 'uptown'(in the 100s) as both were extremely crowded and the crowds a bit different. The upper 100's have hi-rise condos etc and not my cup of tea when on the beach; we loved being just steps to the ocean and olympic sized pool with DIVING BOARD, a rarity anywhere these days. Our oceanfront efficiency had a private balcony and perfect view.
Restaurants:
- "Philips", excellent crabcakes but not as good as annapolis, imo.
- "Shark", a delightfully different bay-side place with mult-level dining, including on the beach and wrap around deck. Excellent lobster bisque in a bowl and the crab stuffed flounder was to die for.
- Hoopers on RT 50 - ate in "Sneaky Petes", a unique gazebo at the end of the pier. Really good crab imperial.
- Tony's Pizza on the boardwalk. Chose the sit-down upper deck w/wait staff, pricey for pizza because we ate inside but great view of ocean and also great people-watching on the boardwalk below
- Coconuts beachfront bar and grille at our motel was great! Ate lunch there each day in our suits, delicious flounder sandwiches, fun live band playing 70-80-90's music, the crowd often sang along! Good times.
And as others have said, the old-fashioned boardwalk is really fun. Loved thrasher's fries, dumsers ice cream and the best carmel corn ever - can't remember the name but they've supposedly been there for decades. Like a slice of old time americana, nothing at all like hilton head or myrtle beach (altho we love both of them, too) and certainly not destin, but we will definitly return.
Thanks again for your help Fodorites (LN!). As i did my morning run each day, i made mental notes of other motels along the ocean so let me know if you have any questions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: ellen_griswold
Date: 07/08/2004, 10:18 am
Also wanted to add that it wasn't necessary to use OC transportation. We drove to the boardwalk and found parking in metered areas. Maybe we were just lucky as i've heard parking is a nightmare, but it wasn't for us. (Rt 50 leaving however, is another story!) The kids both enjoyed the boardwalk also, and while we did see groups of teens, they were for the most part with parents. Also, the shuttle is $2.50 per person each way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jun 26th, 2005, 07:47 PM
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Hi girlonthego,
We re planning our first trip to Ocean City, Maryland this August. This is a family trip and we are traveling with 2 teens. After much research and some great advice from fellow 'fodorites', we are staying at the Princess Royale Hotel/Resort. The Clarion also seemed to be quite updated. We too are looking for an upscale resort and a family oriented place. We are also going to be touring Washington prior to our arrival in O.C. I can't imagine how O.C. could disappoint.
We re planning our first trip to Ocean City, Maryland this August. This is a family trip and we are traveling with 2 teens. After much research and some great advice from fellow 'fodorites', we are staying at the Princess Royale Hotel/Resort. The Clarion also seemed to be quite updated. We too are looking for an upscale resort and a family oriented place. We are also going to be touring Washington prior to our arrival in O.C. I can't imagine how O.C. could disappoint.
Jun 27th, 2005, 04:54 AM
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Hey Girlonthego, just now seeing your post. Glad LN found my report as much of it is thanks to her. She is a wealth of excellent info on OC!
We loved our visit to OC and would definitely choose it over Wildwood. (if you go to wildwood, check out wildwood crest.) Both have similarities but all things considered, OC is just better IMO for our family. Its a bit further south so the water is a bit warmer and there's a better choice of lodging.
If / when we go again, i'll try to get the new(er) Holiday Inn, located oceanfront at Boardwalk and 17th. We found it too late for our trip because it fills up quickly and i can see why. Its much newer than most with a myriad of fun amenities (waterslides, lazy river, private balconies etc) with a great location. Pricier than most but well worth it, IMO.
OC is a great destination for a family vacation and has enough for both parents and kids / teens. Lots of restaurant choices and also touristy stuff but not quite as tacky as some beach towns. You'll have a great time! Be sure to do a trip report when you return.
We loved our visit to OC and would definitely choose it over Wildwood. (if you go to wildwood, check out wildwood crest.) Both have similarities but all things considered, OC is just better IMO for our family. Its a bit further south so the water is a bit warmer and there's a better choice of lodging.
If / when we go again, i'll try to get the new(er) Holiday Inn, located oceanfront at Boardwalk and 17th. We found it too late for our trip because it fills up quickly and i can see why. Its much newer than most with a myriad of fun amenities (waterslides, lazy river, private balconies etc) with a great location. Pricier than most but well worth it, IMO.
OC is a great destination for a family vacation and has enough for both parents and kids / teens. Lots of restaurant choices and also touristy stuff but not quite as tacky as some beach towns. You'll have a great time! Be sure to do a trip report when you return.
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