We have a week booked at the Cape this summer and were looking for another family destination. I heard that Ocean City would be a great family destination but was unsure if it would be similar to Cape Cod?

We live in Massachusetts and the Cape is only a 1 1/2 hour drive for us. Just wanted to make sure that Ocean City would be worth the 6 hour trip.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

While Ocean City is a wonderful family destination, I hesitate to make recommendation to you, as it appears a 6 hr. drive. Ocean City, NJ has a beach, boardwalk some nice restaurants, etc....all which can be found in Cape Cod. Living near Phila. and having spent time in both Ocean City, NJ and Cape Cod, think you may want to keep your Cape reservations.

Stick to Cape Cod by all means!

I agree most definately stick to the Cape! Ocean City NJ is not as nice.

I think the drive is probably the determining factor. I have been to the Cape once without children, and once pregnant and with a 15 month old. Stayed in Wellfleet. I think the beaches are nicer on the Cape in that they are much less developed but the water is much colder and rougher there than Ocean City. Although if you go to the bayside that's nice for small children. Also, there is probably more for adults to do on the Cape in the way of art galleries, shops etc. Ocean City is basically a beach town. It is great for walking or riding bikes on the boardwalk, playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean but there isn't much in the way of restaurants or galleries. Although, victorian Cape May
and Philadelphia are both not more than an hour and a half away. I think if travel time is the determining factor you should stay with the Cape. Although having driven there from Connecticut, I think it took us 3 hours just to drive from the Upper Cape to Wellfleet.

I love the coast of Maine. I know a family who leaves SF every year for a week there.