We never feel like it’s truly summer until we visit the Ocean City Boardwalk, where families have flocked to the boards for over a century. It’s the kind of spot where my family of four has a blast, with tons of family-friendly attractions and summers that feel like they’ll never end. The boardwalk is one of the longest on the Jersey Shore, filled with amusement rides, a water park, arcades, tasty food, cute shops, and tempting dessert spots, and no two visits are alike. My family always has a fantastic time bouncing from fun putt-putt courses to the thrilling rides at Playland’s Castaway Cove and savoring our favorite boardwalk food, like the cheesy pizza slices. Ready to make your own core summer memories on this family-friendly boardwalk? Read on for what to know about the Ocean City Boardwalk and our family favorites. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

5 Things To Do On The Ocean City Boardwalk

Putt-putt your way to the beach

Mini golf is a must on any Jersey shore boardwalk, and the Ocean City Boardwalk offers some of the best courses to score that hole-in-one. Our go-to is Playland’s Seaport Village Golf with its nautically themed course, which adds to the themed fun. This 19-hole golf course is always a must for my family, thanks to “The Sindia”—a replica of Ocean City’s historic shipwrecked boat. We find that no matter where we are on the boardwalk, there are fantastic choices to play a round, from the Golden Galleon Pirate Golf with a swashbuckling theme to the indoor blacklight-lit Haunted Golf, where the games go on even if it rains or gets too sticky outside.  

Entertainment at every corner

At Playland’s Castaway Cove (in the middle of the boardwalk), there’s something for everyone, whether it’s just testing out rides or teens wanting adventurous thrills. We make sure to go into the Golden Galleon Fun House, a pirate-themed “house” that whirls like cresting waves as we walk by, tests our balance on rising walkways, and takes us for a spin on the rotating disks. Next up is the Spin Zone, an exciting bumper car adventure with circular cars that spin you around when you are bumped, and a few daring roller coasters, including the Wild Waves Coaster. This summer, we plan to try Windstarz, a newer ride with two-seater carts that let riders control their own movements for extra excitement.

Get your game on

We love to watch the go-karts race beneath the boards at Playland’s Seaside Go-Kart Speedway, and we usually can’t resist taking a spin in the race cars. Driving on the oval track is a blast, where we can cool down and get in some family-friendly competition to the finish line. Of course, we’re always happy to step into the retro Jilly’s Arcade (a turn-of-the-century historical landmark with its original carousel dome). Inside, the kids play popular games like Star Wars and Jurassic Park, while my husband and I enjoy the retro ones like Pac-Man. And we all try to snap up prizes on the crane game—during our last visit, my daughter was the big winner of a cute squishy plushie.

Splash around at the OC Waterpark 

We are ready to take on the OC Waterpark once we’re done with our indoor fun. This manageable waterpark features slides, a lazy river, and a Spray & Play area. Littles and waterpark first-timers can find their groove at Lil’ Buc’s Bay water playground with a giant pirate ship in the center with stairs, shallow water, and a slide just their size. The whole family can take a trip down the Lazy River, while the daring can ride the Serpentine Body Slide with what’s rumored to be the best body slides on the East Coast. If your family is adventurous, go for a double tube slide down the Wet and Wild Sky Pond Journey. Once you finish getting wet, the waterpark also offers OC Adventure Golf, a rock climbing wall, and cabanas to hang out in for a while. 

The best eats and shopping on the boards

The best part of the boardwalk, according to my crew? Hands down, it’s the snacks. We make sure not to miss Manco & Manco with its delicious aroma of pizza wafting down the boards—the slices are cheesy, and the crust has just the right crunch. Clancy’s By The Sea is a family-friendly sit-down restaurant with a patio on the boardwalk, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including yummy crabcakes, steamers, and Old Bay-seasoned fries. For dessert, Kohrs is a boardwalk favorite, and the twists of their famous soft serve are a treat. Beyond eating, there’s always shopping at the 100-year-old Surf Mall building, with souvenir shops like TShirtWorld, where my kids love shopping for sweatshirts, sunglasses, and everything in between. And we have to pop into Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy & Fudge, the oldest business on the boardwalk. It is so cool to get a glimpse of candy-makers twirling saltwater taffy right in the shop, and we make sure to get a box of sweet taffy to enjoy a few treats on the car ride home.

Shows up and down the pier

One of the most iconic spots on the boardwalk is the Ocean City Music Pier, which has been hosting musical performances at the height of the season for almost a century. Some recent shows will include Sister Act, The Duprees, and Brandon Tomasello. The Music Pier is a great place to cool off (read: air conditioning) and take in a show. Also, every Tuesday and Thursday, starting in July, be on the lookout for the Philadelphia Mummers Band that struts the boardwalk. There’s always something happening on the boardwalk and at the pier—other year-round events include The Ocean City Flower Show in June, a Sand Sculpting Contest in July, the Annual Boardwalk Art Show in August, and several car shows in September.

FAQs About The Ocean City Boardwalk

When is the boardwalk open?

The Ocean City boardwalk is open year-round, with summer fun from May through October and, from November to April, seasonal sales and special holiday events.

Where is the parking?

There are parking lots available with posted parking rates, municipal parking lots, metered permits, and metered spots. There is a map available to help make finding a spot much easier, and spots are free during the off-season from October 31 to May 1.

How do I get around town?

Ocean City is a walkable town, and it’s easy to get around with a stroller on the boardwalk. Bicycle and surrey rentals are available at several locations around Ocean City, and biking is typically allowed only on the boardwalk until noon.

What should I know about visiting the beach?

Ocean City has 8 miles of beaches. From June through the end of the summer, the beaches are guarded, and several areas are guarded in the off-season, too. Amp up your beach day and try surfing, paddleboarding, or even parasailing while you are visiting. Public restrooms are available at several locations along the boardwalk. If you need to find a spot quickly, here is a map of the public restroom locations.

For more information, visit Ocean City, NJ on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

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