| Vacationing in Ocean City doesn't have to cost a | | | | suites are not just from restaurant prices but also |
| small fortune. Since it is a summer only vacation | | | | from the expense of buying drinks at highly inflated |
| resort there is no way around paying premium prices | | | | prices. Suites are usually located in ocean front or |
| for the warm months. That does not mean you can't | | | | ocean block hotels giving you quick access to the |
| save a lot of money by having a good vacation | | | | beach and limiting your need to drive in Ocean City |
| strategy. First you must decide on when you want | | | | traffic. Check carefully as not all suites are created |
| to arrive. The peak season is from Memorial Day to | | | | equally, some offer only compact refrigerator and |
| Labor Day but rates vary throughout the season. | | | | microwave while others offer full kitchens. |
| Early summer and late summer tend to offer the | | | | Hotels abound in Ocean City but a few are located |
| best deals both on hotel rates and restaurant | | | | just outside Ocean City and offer good value for |
| discounts. Of course there are reasons for these | | | | your vacation dollar. My favorite is the Francis Scott |
| discounts; early summer tends to be cooler and late | | | | Key located less than a mile outside of Ocean City. |
| summer is more rainy. Anytime you pre-plan a | | | | There is indoor and outdoor pools, a free shuttle bus |
| vacation you run the risk of hitting a bad weather | | | | into Ocean City and much more. There is also the |
| period so we must assume a normal weather week | | | | Alamo Motel and the Comfort Suites, both offering |
| and hope for the best. With this in mind, July is the | | | | prices lower than comparable rooms in Ocean City |
| prime month for Ocean City. | | | | and located about a mile from Ocean City. Click here |
| Okay, we've picked a week and now must book a | | | | for a more complete list of Ocean City hotels. |
| place to sleep. Are choices are a hotel, a condo, a | | | | Condos/Apartments offer at home convenience right |
| suite (with kitchen), a house (across the Rt. 90 bridge | | | | at the beach. Some condos have amenities equal to |
| in Ocean Pines), or a campsite. | | | | the best hotels while others have the basics like air |
| If camping is your thing than you must be aware | | | | conditioning and TV. Although there are exceptions, |
| that the best camp grounds are at Assateague | | | | apartments generally offer few extra amenities. |
| Island National Seashore and Assateague Island State | | | | Decide which amenities are the most important and |
| Park. For more things to do with the children and | | | | check each unit carefully for what they include. |
| better availability try Frontier Town Campground or a | | | | Thankfully we've finally decided where we want to |
| little further from Ocean City is Fort Whaley | | | | stay and have made our reservations. Now it's time |
| Campground. Other, smaller, campgrounds are also | | | | to think about food. I recommend going to the |
| available. | | | | grocery store your first day in town so you're ready |
| *The National Seashore rates start at about $27 a | | | | to start your week. Even if you stay at a hotel it's a |
| night but are usually booked 2 years in advance. The | | | | good idea to have some drinks and snacks on hand |
| best chance here is checking often and being willing | | | | to avoid those expensive Convenience Store prices. |
| to change sites at least once during the week or | | | | Restaurants in Ocean City range from McDonalds to |
| booking well in advance of your visit. Reservations | | | | almost any extreme you can think of. To keep your |
| are made through the National Recreation Website. If | | | | budget under control I recommend deciding how |
| you have any questions call the campground office at | | | | many meals you want to eat out based on the menu |
| 410-641-3030. Pets are allowed but check all the rules. | | | | prices and how many meals you want to eat at your |
| *The Assateague Island State Park rates start at | | | | room. You should know in advance that boardwalk |
| about $27 + fees per night but book at least a year | | | | restaurants have to charge a little more due to the |
| in advance for best locations and the least chance of | | | | cost of land so avoid these if you can. There are a |
| having to change sites during your stay. Reservations | | | | lot of good restaurants just outside of Ocean City |
| are made through the Department of Natural | | | | and you will find the best prices here. Check the |
| Resources. If you have any questions call the Park at | | | | addresses for locations; Coastal Hwy. and numbered |
| 410-641-2918. Pets are allowed only in Loop J, check | | | | streets are always in Ocean City, while Ocean |
| all the rules. | | | | Gateway is always outside of Ocean City. |
| *Frontier Town rates start at about $47 per night | | | | Now it's time for fun! The beach is the reason you |
| and go up to $92 with waterfront and dock. A | | | | chose to come to Ocean City but there is so much |
| western theme park and water park are located on | | | | more to do that one week won't be enough. That |
| site for a family friendly vacation, The water park is | | | | means deciding where to spend your vacation money |
| free to campers and the theme park offers a 20% | | | | for the most enjoyment. Depending on where you |
| discount for campers. Reservations can be made | | | | chose to stay will determine a lot about what else |
| here but remember the earlier you book the better | | | | you want to do. If you're staying at Frontier Town |
| chance you have of getting the site you want. If you | | | | that includes admission into a water park you |
| have any questions call 1-800-228-5590. Pets are | | | | probably won't want to go to another one. On the |
| allowed but check all the rules. | | | | other hand if you're staying in an apartment Splash |
| * Fort Whaley rates start at about $40 per night and | | | | Mountain at Jolley Rogers makes for a great day. |
| go up to $78 for lake front. Frontier Towns' water | | | | After the ocean, the boardwalk is the main |
| park is included in the rate as is a 20% discount to | | | | attraction. Visiting the boardwalk at night is the best |
| the Frontier Town theme park. Reservations can be | | | | time, especially for the children. Park or ride the bus |
| made here. If you have any questions call | | | | as close as you can to the inlet (the southern end) |
| 1-888-322-7717. Pets are allowed but all the rules. | | | | as this is where most of the action is. Whether it's |
| Renting a house for the week is a great plan for | | | | the roller coaster, carnival games, arcade games, |
| large families or multi-family vacations. The added | | | | candy apples, or shopping you'll find it here. Don't |
| cost of renting a home is more than made up by the | | | | forget there are a lot of things to do outside of |
| savings of being able to cook in a fully equipped | | | | Ocean City but less than a half hours drive. |
| kitchen and the use local amenities to keep the | | | | Assateague Island offers a State and National Park |
| younger, and younger at heart, busy and happy. Add | | | | with guarded beaches that are much more relaxing |
| to that the bonus of room for everyone to have | | | | than those in Ocean City and you can buy some fire |
| privacy and be able to enjoy different activities of | | | | wood and cook right on the beach. I prefer the |
| their choice. Ocean Pines is the most likely place to | | | | National park because it's so much bigger but that |
| find weekly house rentals. Located just across the | | | | could just be me. If looking for antiques and |
| Rt. 90 bridge from Ocean City, Ocean Pines offers | | | | handmade crafts is what you're into than visit Berlin, |
| visitors the chance to rent a home by the week | | | | Md, just 8 miles from Ocean City. Getting tired of the |
| within a resort of its own. Rates vary too much to | | | | beach or just need some fresh water, try Pocomoke |
| quote rates due to the many different homes and | | | | River State Park. There's plenty to do for everyone |
| amenities offered with each home. Ocean Pines has | | | | within a few miles of Ocean City and a lot of it is |
| several swimming pools, a golf course, and an ocean | | | | free or very inexpensive. |
| front beach club with pool is available. Each | | | | I wish I could say that your week would go by slow, |
| homeowner offers different packages with their | | | | but it will fly by with all the things there are to do. |
| rental. If your rental does not include an amenity that | | | | Just laying on the beach makes time seem to |
| you want you can purchase it separately here. You | | | | evaporate. But while you're waiting for your next |
| can find Ocean Pines rentals in your local newspaper | | | | vacation you will have a lot of good memories and |
| or at Hileman Real Estate. | | | | this will hopefully make you want to start planning |
| Hotel suites, while more expensive, offer the ability | | | | your next Ocean City vacation early. |
| to cook some or all of your meals. The savings for | | | | |