My kids are always up for a new adventure, so they were all in when I suggested we head down the parkway to Ocean City, NJ. I had heard great things about the family-friendly OC boardwalk and 8 miles of beaches, but beyond the beach, there’s also an adorable downtown and a nature preserve to explore. We discovered that all the classic Jersey Shore things to do (beach, boardwalk, ice cream, and rides) were even sweeter at this charming spot on the shore. Read on about our 3 day visit in Ocean City, NJ, and all you need to know to plan your own day trip or getaway here, too. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
5 Things To Do In Ocean City NJ
Ocean City has 8 miles of sandy beaches. Photo Credit: istock/DenisTangneyJr
Make it a beach day in Ocean City
Of course, our first stop was the beach—Ocean City has 8 miles of beaches both by the boardwalk and away from the crowds. We headed past the boardwalk to the patch of sand south of 23rd Street, where it was a little calmer and quieter. We found a guarded beach, which also had surfing, paddleboarding, and even parasailing. After a quick setup, the kids played in the sand while we relaxed in our chairs. We took turns taking dips in the Atlantic Ocean, only a few steps away. Ocean City beach allows pop-up tents which was a pleasant surpirse and so happy we brought ours on this trip because my toddler took a 2 hour nap in the shade. The beach was a relaxing way to spend most of the day and got us ready for our next stop—the boardwalk.
Ocean City NJ, has no shortage of ice cream spots and sweet shops. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Hit the boards for food and fun
The Ocean City boardwalk is everything you’d expect from an NJ boardwalk—rides, restaurants, mini golf, and amusements—with a family-friendly appeal and lots of seaside charm. We were hungry, so we strolled down the boards to see what we could get to eat. Our first stop was Shrivers, the oldest business on the boardwalk, where we got a glimpse of candy-makers twirling saltwater taffy. Right across the way, we smelled the famous Manco & Manco Pizza, known for its delicious boardwalk pizza since 1956, and indulged in a few cheesy slices. We also had to stop at 3 Brothers Pizza for my husband who wanted to try their extra large slices (it’s bascially like having 3 slices in 1!). After, we stopped at the boardwalk favorite, Kohr Brothers, where the creamy vanilla custard always hits the spot and reminds us of summer. Down past the food stands and restaurants, we spotted the Ocean City Music Pier. The Pier is the place to catch a summer concert, and this year’s lineup has Kenny G, The Wailers, The Beach Boys, and Let’s Sing Taylor – A live band experience celebrating Taylor Swift (my daughter would love this!). There wasn’t a show playing when we were there, but we vowed next time to make sure to visit when we could catch one. One particularly memorable part of our trip on the boardwalk was getting my daughter’s ears pierced at Pushpa’s Beach Jewelry, in business since 1973, and we totally understand why.
The kids can take their own rides in Ocean City. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Entertainment at every corner
With the slogan: America’s Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City doesn’t just have one, but two amusement parks—Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (at the northern end- sadly closing after 94 years at the end of the season) and Playland’s Castaway Cove (in the middle of the boardwalk). Both cater to kids of all ages, from tots to teens and offer thrill levels from woo hoo to wow. Hot days require a pitstop at OC Waterpark & Adventure Golf, where kids can plunge down slides, float in a lazy river, and littles can have a blast in the new Spray & Play area. Dry off and then head to Jilly’s Arcade, which has mini-golf, go-kart rides, escape rooms, mazes, and shopping. If you want to take it at your own pace, rent a covered Surrey bike (several bike shops along the boardwalk and beaches) and take it for a spin down the boardwalk until noon or along the marked trail on Haven Road.
Corson’s Inlet State Park is a serene place to stop at the south end of Ocean City. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Explore Corson’s Inlet State Park
We wanted a break from the boardwalk, so we headed south to Corson’s Inlet State Park. The Park is free to enter, and it’s an ideal spot for hiking, fishing, sunbathing, boating, wildlife viewing, and crabbing (swimming is prohibited). It was a beautiful place far from the crowds, and we were happy to see that much of the landscape had been that way for decades. We walked the trails and admired the beach’s natural elements with wildlife like sandpiper birds, piping plovers, gulls, hilly dunes, and tall sea grasses (watch out for the poison ivy).
Downtown Ocean City has stores and restaurants if you want to step away from the sand. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Dine and shop in downtown Ocean City
After the park, we set out to explore downtown Ocean City. The main street is Asbury Avenue, full of boutiques, cafes, and stores, and it’s at the midpoint between the beach and the bay. Its sidewalks are lined with unique shops like We Make It Personal, which offers one-of-a-kind gifts that can be engraved and personalized. We also visited Hoy’s 5 & 10, loaded with every essential for a beach day. My daughter loved Kay Jay’s Doll Shoppe, where she perused American Girl dolls, puzzles, and crafts. There are lots of food stops on Asbury Avenue, too, including Asbury Kitchen, which has an all-day breakfast menu, or Yianni’s Cafe, which has everything from breakfast to Greek specialties and more for lunch and dinner.
Where to stay in Ocean City
Ocean City, New Jersey, is a fantastic family destination with several hotels that cater to guests traveling with kids. We stayed at the new Impala Suites which was located 1/2 a block off the boardwalk and had a pool and a full kitchen in our suite. The room was large and spacious with a pullout couch and balcony area where we could hang out and dry wet clothes. The Port-O-Call Hotel, located right on the boardwalk, offers oceanfront rooms, a heated outdoor pool, and easy access to the beach, making it a perfect spot for families looking to enjoy the sun and surf. Another excellent choice is the newly renovated Beach Club Hotel, also located on the boardwalk, which offers spacious suites with kitchenettes, private balcony and an on-site restaurant serving breakfast (where we ate 2 of the 3 mornings), and lunch. For a more intimate experience, The Flanders Hotel combines historic charm with modern amenities, and offers family-friendly suites, an outdoor pool, and proximity to the boardwalk and amusement parks.
Playland’s Castaway Cove is a great escape for the family in Ocean City. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
What to know before you go
Ocean City, NJ, is a family-friendly destination, which resonates with the fact it’s a dry town where alcohol is not sold anywhere in its borders. Parking lots are available and metered parking is along the streets (use this map to help locate parking), and spots are free during the off-season from October 31 to May 1. Ocean City is a walkable town, and it’s easy to navigate downtown and the boardwalk with a stroller. Public restrooms are available at several locations along the boardwalk and in town. The Ocean City boardwalk is open year-round with summer fun from May through October, and from November to April, you can find seasonal sales and special holiday events. During the season, look out for the Philadelphia Mummers Band that struts down the boardwalk every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 PM-9 PM. Other special events include The Annual Auto Show, The Baby Parade, the parade of Miss New Jersey contestants, and Ocean City’s First Night, including a New Year’s Eve celebration and New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. If you want to stay for an extended trip, Ocean City has hotels, motels, and Bed & Breakfast options for any size family.
For more information, visit Ocean City, NJ on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
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