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. After exploring for a few days, we found that all the classic Jersey Shore activities—beach, boardwalk, ice cream, and rides—were even more enjoyable at this charming spot on the shore. Read on about our 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)

6 Things To Do In Ocean City NJ

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 settled on a spot where guards were on duty and there were also areas where people were surfing, paddleboarding, and even parasailing. After a quick setup, the kids played in the sand while we relaxed in our chairs and took dips in the Atlantic Ocean, only a few steps away. And we were happy to learn that, unlike other shore beaches, Ocean City lets you put up pop-up tents (mom-win!), so my little guy was able to sleep peacefully 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. 

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 basically 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 with a lineup that includes the Beach Boys, a Taylor Swift cover band, and The Wailers. There wasn’t a show playing when we were there, but we vowed to visit the next time we could catch one. 

Entertainment at every corner

Ocean City may be known as America’s Greatest Family Resort, thanks to its fun amusement park on the boardwalk. While the century-old Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closed last summer, Playland’s Castaway Cove (in the middle of the boardwalk) is primed for adult and kid-sized fun with thrill levels that go 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. 

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 (note that 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, including wildlife such as sandpiper birds, piping plovers, gulls, hilly dunes, and tall sea grasses (watch out for the poison ivy). 

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.

Spend the night

When you want to stick around past the day, there are several family-friendly hotels, many of which are new or renovated. We stayed at the new Impala Suites, which were 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 a 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 balconies, 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. 

What to know before you go

Ocean City, NJ, is a family-friendly destination, noted for being a dry town where alcohol is not sold within its borders. Parking lots are available, and metered parking is along the streets (use this map to help locate parking). 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 famous “A Night in Venice” in July, where residents decorate boats and parade from the Ocean City bridge along the bay, culminating in fireworks.  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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