Hello, was looking to go to OC, NJ for the first time this summer and looking for any suggestions you all may have. We do not want to drive much further than NJ, for medical reasons. When is the best time to go, where to stay that is reasonably priced, but clean, maybe with a pool, close to the ocean, or across the street from it, restaurants, etc. Have never been there, and am all out curious. thanks.

Guessing that you did not mention kids,the best time to go would be after Labor day to mid-October.Motels are not the best and limited. If you can stay for a week, there are many rental houses of all prices and sizes that can best be selected in person. Prices can be negotiated off-season and if 2+ blocks from the beach.Great place for day trips to AC, Cape May, etc.

sorry, I do have a toddler, with health issues. We go to Cape May every year, but wanted to try another NJ beach town that was similar to it as well, was thinking early June maybe would be nice and less crowded (as school will not be out yet)

OC seems to bustle earlier & earlier every year as schools get out earlier (often the 1st week of June).Avalon, Stone Harbor or even parts of Sea Isle City might be better.If you stick with CM, consider a few day trips to see the other towns (CM-Lewis Ferry, CM Zoo, OC boardwalk, etc). It it helps, the health care is much better than it's reputation (Shore Memorial & AC Hospital)so don't let that worry you.I love OC but it's not Cape May!

I would recommend the Port-o-Call hotel - right on the boardwalk - outdoor pool - nice rooms - about 6 stories - but you do pay for being right on the boardwalk. Most others are motels, some have small pools, I think there is a suites hotel a couple blocks away, has a name like Key Biscayne or something like that.

Most people rent a duplex - expensive but like your own place.

Ocean City is great - family oriented - it's a dry town, so no liquor is sold in Ocean City itself. The boardwalk is great. There is only one high rise condo on the beach, after that was built, they passed a height restrictions on all buildings - so really no other high rise buildings.

Mack & Manco's pizza is the best pizza on the boardwalk - several locations. You have to buy a tub of Johnson's Popcorn oo. If you are interested in the best sticky buns, over in Somers Point, there is a place called Chester's Pastry Pantry, the best in the area.

As far as restaurant choices - don't expect high quality, gourmet like in big cities. Just outside Ocean City - across the bridge are several restaurants, pretty descent - Yesterday's and Obadiahs' near 34th Street. In Somers Point there is the Anchorage Inn, and they have a TGI Friday's. Ocean City has restaurants too.

Great amusement parks on 9th Street and about 4 or 5 blocks down the boardwalk.

Be sure and rent bicycles or surrey carts on the boardwalk in the morning. Boardwalk is about 22 blocks long give or take a few blocks.

Enjoy