Ocean City
A Maryland beach town built around a long boardwalk, wide sand, and day trips to Assateague Island's wild ponies.
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Ocean City is a resort town on a barrier island on Maryland's Atlantic coast, in Worcester County. The island sits between the ocean and Sinepuxent Bay, and the town is the main place to stay. The boardwalk is a wide wooden promenade along the beach, lined with shops, arcades and food stands. Thrasher's french fries are a boardwalk staple, and Trimper's Rides, an amusement park on the boardwalk, has run rides there since 1890. Seafood, especially Maryland blue crab, is easy to find across town.
Assateague Island National Seashore lies a short drive south of town, reached by a bridge. It has beaches, marsh trails and a herd of wild ponies. Summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is the busy season, when you can swim and use the full boardwalk. Late spring and September suit slower trips with fewer crowds. Plan two to three days to cover the boardwalk, the beach and a day at Assateague.
Ocean City in five
- Drive in on Route 50 and Route 90 earlySummer Saturdays back up on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Ocean City Expressway. Leave before mid-morning or travel midweek.Getting around
- Download offline maps for AssateaguePhone signal can be weak on the national seashore roads. Save the area in your maps app before you leave town.
- Bring repellent for Assateague's horses and fliesThe wild horses graze near the road, and summer afternoons bring biting greenhead flies. Carry insect repellent and water, and do not feed the horses.
- Ask the price per dozen before you order crabsMaryland blue crabs are sold by the dozen, and the price changes with size and season. Ask the server before you order.
- Swim between the lifeguard flagsRip currents form off the ocean beaches, especially after storms. Swim between the flags and ask the lifeguards about conditions before you go in.
Need to know
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver countries; visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Customary for servers, bartenders and taxi drivers
- Time
- UTC-5, UTC-4 in daylight saving (March to November)
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, windy
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, early spring
- AprilMild, quiet
- MayMild, quieter
- JuneWarm, busier
- JulyHot, peak crowds
- AugustHot, peak crowds
- SeptemberWarm, calmer
- OctoberMild, quiet
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Ocean City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Ocean City
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°4°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue19°7°5%Tuesday: Fog. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed21°11°1%Wednesday: Fog. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu22°17°44%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Fri19°15°48%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sat17°9°41%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sun16°6°4%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 03:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Assateague Islandabout 15 to 25 min by carWild horses, beaches and marsh trails in the national seashore. Bring water and repellent.
- Chincoteagueabout 1 hour by carA Virginia island town known for its wild ponies and seafood, across the state line.
- Salisburyabout 30 to 40 min by carThe largest city on Maryland's Eastern Shore, with shops and a regional airport.Read the guide
Before you go to Ocean City
Rules for Ocean City, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US; other passports need a visa. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- The legal drinking age is 21. Bars, restaurants and liquor stores ask for photo ID, so carry your passport or driver's license.
- Do not feed the wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore, and keep a safe distance. The National Park Service sets the rules.Source
Plan around Ocean City
Parks, entry rules and road basics for the US
Read the guideGetting aroundDriving routes in, car rental and getting to Assateague
Read the guideMarylandThe state guide for Ocean City and the Eastern Shore
Read the guideWhere to stayBoardwalk, north end and inlet areas compared
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, tipping and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, visas and what to bring
Read the guideOcean City FAQ
How do you get to Ocean City from Baltimore or Washington?
Most visitors drive east on US-50, cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, then take Route 90 into town. The drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours in normal traffic, and longer on summer weekends.
Is Ocean City good for families?
Yes. Families like the long sandy beach, the Boardwalk and the rides. The blocks near the center are the busiest, so a north end stay is quieter.
Can you see wild horses in Ocean City?
Yes, at Assateague Island National Seashore, a short drive south of town. Watch from a distance and do not feed them.
When is the best time to visit Ocean City?
May, June, September and October bring mild weather with fewer crowds than July and August. Summer is hot and busy, and prices are higher.
Do you need a car in Ocean City?
Most people drive in, and a car helps for Assateague and nearby towns. The Boardwalk, shops and beach blocks are walkable once you are in the resort.
Is Ocean City safe for tourists?
Most visits are trouble free. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, watch for rip currents, and stay alert on the Boardwalk late at night.