Hi, I'm going with my husband and my 3 1/2 year old son on vacation this summer. (this will be our first vacation in 6 years)!! Anyway, we have decided to try Ocean City because neither one of us has been there.

We want to go either the last week of August or the first week of September. Which week would be better? I realize the motels will be much cheaper after September - will it be less crowded also?

As far as which motel or condo to stay in, I would like an oceanfront motel with a nice pool. Nothing fancy. Ideally we don't want to spend more than $600 or $700 for the week. Any ideas???

Also we want to do some outlet shopping and go to Splash Mountain water park. What other attractions are must-sees?

Are you going to OC, MD or OC, NJ???

sorry - Maryland is where we are going.

either week will be fine. we go there about every other year, usually the last week of august. many of the hotels actually lower the rates starting at the end of august. then they may jump them up for Labor Day weekend, then they go down again. It's not overly crowded by the end of August. As the season goes on, the shortage of help (waitstaff, housekeepers, etc.) does become apparent as the many college kids who fill these jobs go back to school.

either week will be fine. we go there about every other year, usually the last week of august. many of the hotels actually lower the rates starting at the end of august. then they may jump them up for Labor Day weekend, then they go down again. It's not overly crowded by the end of August. As the season goes on, the shortage of help (waitstaff, housekeepers, etc.) does become apparent as the many college kids who fill these jobs go back to school.
Some fun sidetrips-Assateaque Island (please excuse my mispelling. Its a beautiful (but buggy) park on the beach where there are wild ponies roaming around. There's a childrens novel (I dont know the name) set there. The ponies swim from one island to another during the summer. You can also take a ferry from Lewes, DE (about 30 minutes away) to Cape May New Jersey and spend the day in Cape May. Ocean City borders on the Delaware border and you might find some nice hotels in Delaware also. Unless you want the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk, stay in places from about 38th Street and up (the streets are numbered from 1-around 147, 147 being near the delaware border, 1 being smack on the boardwalk.
Do a search on Ocean City, Md and you can come up with their web site, which has tons of accomodations. One year we stayed near a town park that was great. it had a playground, walking/biking ring, sports fields, crabbing, etc. It would be perfect for a toddler.
Ask the locals for directions to Bootsies-a great BBQ take out shack.

The DELMARVA shore is glorious from mid-September through mid-October. The crowds are down (indeed, some places are closed) and it's a great time to be there. Go for September--the later the better.

We've been going to Ocean City, MD for over 20 years (from the time we were young until now, with our own children!) We have lots of favorite things to do so if you have questions let me know.

I don't think it matters which week you go...if you're flexible, I'd go when you can get good rates at a good place to stay.

When we first started to go down there, we'd stay in motels. But for the last 15 years or so, we've opted for a condo. There are tons of them right on the ocean. The benefit of a condo is that you can put your son to bed and you and your husband can have some quiet time (just like home!) You also have a full kitchen so you can make your own breakfasts and lunches. The drawbacks are you don't have daily maid service and in most cases, you have to bring your own linens (bed sheets, towels, etc.) You also have to supply paper products (TP, etc.) I'm not sure if you're driving there or not...if so, packing the extra linens, etc, shouldn't be a problem. If you're flying in, that's a lot of extra luggage. In that case, there are linen rental services (that's what we do now that we live so far away).

We usually go through Moore Warfield and Glick realtors (mwgbeach.com) because they seem to have the most listings. Most are weekly rentals (Sat-Sat with a limited Sun to Sun rentals) so I don't know if that would work for you. We always choose a place (motel or condo) with a pool because you never can tell about the ocean...sometimes, jelly fish are a problem, etc. We like having the option. But, the big condo pools tend to get really crowded and some don't have a pool big enough to accomodate the size of the condo building. Just keep that in mind.

We usually stay north of the boardwalk because its really loud down there and that's the hangout for lots of teenagers and others. The boardwalk may be someplace to go in the late afternoon and early evening before it gets too crowded.

The Jolly Roger amusement park would be fun for your son! They have lots of kiddie rides. They also have lots of go karts, mini indy cars and minature golf (in case that something you like to do) The boardwalk also has amusements for all ages...there's one place where the kiddie rides are indoors (great if its raining). Plus I think its air conditioned which is great on those hot summer nights.

There are tons of minature golf places around. They're pretty crowded in the hours after dinner so going early is better.

As far as restaurants, we have our favorites! We go to them every year and LOVE them! Awesome crab if you like that! Some of our favorite restaurants are: Phillips Crab House (the one near 21st street is the best one - the original), Fenwick Crab House (just north of OC in Fenwick), Nick Adonis House of Ribs (fabulous ribs AND awesome crabcakes...perhaps the best we get down there!) Harpoon Hannah's has great food right on the bay. Another good restaurant is Warrens. Most of these places have a long wait if you go much past 6PM.

Good luck. Let me know if you have other questions!

Thanks for the responses. I read somewhere on here about the Beachmark Motel which is on 73rd St. I visited their site and their rates after Sept. 1 are $390 weekly for two people with children free. Is this a nice place? I think I would rather stay someplace that has an indoor pool in case it rains. Can anyone recommend a nice place with an indoor pool that has reasonable prices??