Ocean City Maryland Local Area Guide

Ocean City, MD Area Guide

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The Good News? Slots at Ocean Downs RaceTrack

The bad news? Slots at Ocean Downs. For those of us who have made too many deposits into “one arm bandits” over the years; you understand what I am saying . It’s a love /hate relationship. I love playing (correction I love winning) but usually they were far enough away  to talk yourself out of going (read: Harrington).

Now they are available 10 minutes outside Ocean City! 10 Minutes! This is going to require some perserverance when they are that close. Of course, I live in Ocean City and we have all the other pleasures to occupy our time; the beach, the boardwalk, the bay, great restaurants,etc….and sooo much cheaper!

 I think Ocean City is hoping that not too many tourist/resident dollars are bet out at Ocean Downs; and now, not just on harness racing. 

What do you think? Good news or bad news?

PS: Congrats to Kim on winning the first Ocean Downs Casino jackpot! (see photo courtesy oceandowns.com)

  Here it is. The only app that has it all! Brought to you by the Ocean City, MD Department of Tourism. Whether you’re planning your vacation or are already in Ocean City, this is the only app you need! All by pushing a few buttons on your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Droid

More App Info Here
http://ococean.com/ *

   *Official Site of the Ocean City Maryland Convention and Visitors Bureau and Department of Tourism. Town of Ocean City, Maryland

About Ocean City:

History

Ocean City is situated on a barrier island that until the 1800s was a barren place attracting fishermen who came from the mainland on small row boats. In 1869, a local farmer named Isaac Coffin constructed a small inn to accommodate the fishermen and others who were beginning to show an interest in the beach as a refuge from city life. Soon, other hotel properties arose and after Ocean City became incorporated in 1875, the small fishing village was on its way to becoming a seaside vacation destination. In 1876, a railroad bridge was built over the Sinepuxent Bay. Prior to the bridge, visitors had to ride the train to the edge of the mainland where they would then cross the bay by boat.

In the early 1900s, Daniel B. Trimper and his brother, both from Baltimore, started an amusement park, which is still owned and operated by the Trimper family. The oldest part of Ocean City is at the southernmost tip of the island. Cottages and small hotels still proudly reflect the strong heritage of the early pioneers of this town. For decades this was the hub of the resort. From about 9th Street north, there were only a few lone cottages. From 1900 to 1915, the first of Ocean City's Boardwalk was constructed. In the early days, the Boardwalk was taken up and stored during the winter. Today's Boardwalk is a permanent walkway now spanning nearly three miles.

Ocean City was once humble fishing village that covered only a few blocks of land now stretches 10 miles long. The shores continue to draw visitors with the invigorating smell of the salt air and the luxurious feel of the sand between your toes. Come and see for yourself the beautiful beaches of Maryland and stay at one of the numerous modern hotels and luxury condominiums. Discover this and more information about Ocean City’s rich history by visiting:

 Love those photos of Ocean City's past? Go here:
http://www.ocmuseum.org/index.php/site/oc-history_article/a_sentimental_journey_part1/

For a more info about Ocean City's history, please visit:
http://ococean.com/explore-oc/oc-history 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_City,_Maryland#History

Ocean City, MD Attractions & Activities

The Beach Life.
It's 10 miles of beautifully kept, family-friendly ocean beach.
And it's absolutely free - the way beaches should be!
Ocean City, Maryland's beaches are perfect for swimming and sunning. For surfing or fishing. For kayaking or canoeing. During the summer, you'll find free family activities six nights a week, including concerts, bonfires, movies - even a beach Olympics!
Build a castle. Hit the waves. Or just kick back and relax. Ocean City's beaches are proof that the best things in life are free - and a major reason for you to get to OC ASAP !
http://ococean.com/things-to-do/the-beach

One of the Best Boardwalks in America 
The Travel Channel calls our classic wooden boardwalk one of America's best. USA Today named it one of the nation's "Top 10 Great Boardwalks."In short, it's three miles of highly concentrated fun - and one more reason to get to OC ASAP.
http://ococean.com/things-to-do/boardwalk

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum takes visitors on a journey through time to join the heroic Surfmen of the US Life-Saving Service on a rescue mission. In addition to exhibits, the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum offers a genealogy section where you can look up family history. Exhibits feature the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and Ocean City History. They also have on display a Mermaid Collection, Shipwreck Artifacts, Sands of the World, and Bathing Fashions. Aquariums featuring local marine life are a favorite for young and old alike. Find out all this and more by visiting the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum’s official website. http://www.ocmuseum.org/

Jolly Roger (Info sourced from: http://www.jollyrogerpark.com/)
"Splash Mountain is a world-class waterpark, arguably the finest waterpark in the mid-Atlantic region of America. It has just about every waterpark feature you could imagine. Drifting down the lazy river, splashing in the wave pool, roaring down the variety of water slides, this was my kind of fun." --Park World Magazine, Feb, 2010
For more information, please visit the official website at: http://www.jollyrogerpark.com/

Trimper's Rides (Info sourced from: http://www.trimpersrides.com/)
Smell the popcorn and cotton candy, see all the dazzling brightly lit rides as they swoosh past to the delight of their passengers. Welcome to a special world, a world of excitement and fun that has long been a tradition in Ocean City. For more information, pleave vitit the official website at: http://www.trimpersrides.com/

The Kite Loft (Info sourced from: http://www.kiteloft.com/)
The Year 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of The Kite Loft, retailing kites, kite accessories, aerial toys, windsocks, banners, yard ornaments, and other fun products for everyone! For more information, please visit the official website at: http://www.kiteloft.com/

Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Ripley’s Believe It or Not is where truth is stranger than fiction. Ripley’s is located on the Ocean City Boardwalk at the Pier and offers authentic shrunken heads, the world’s rarest egg, and two-headed animals, just to name a few. Please visit their official website for more information. http://oceancity.ripleys.com/

Ocean City Golf (Info sourced from: http://ococean.com/things-to-do/golf)
When we talk golf in Ocean City, we drop a few names...
Like Jack Nicklaus. Arthur Hills. Gary Player. Pete and P.B. Dye. Dr. Michael Hurdzan. And many more. That's because Ocean City boasts 17 championship courses designed by the legends of the game. Courses that have been recognized by Golfweek, Golf Digest, and -most importantly- by golfers of all skill levels, who delight in the challenging holes and beautiful settings.

Even our municipal course, Eagle's Landing, is radically different. Offering stunning views of Sinepuxent Bay adn Assateague National Seashore, it's the only golf course in Maryland certified as an Audubon Sanctuary.

For more info: http://ococean.com/things-to-do/golf

World Famous Fishing
For starters, Ocean City is the White Marlin Capital of the World. Every year, the world’s best fishermen compete for huge cash prizes in the White Marlin Open. (Spectators are welcome and the weigh-ins are free, public events.)But that’s just the beginning. Ocean City offers hundreds of square miles of opportunity for anglers of all ages and skill levels. A fishing license may be required, and it’s easy to register.   Also you can rent anything from rods to boats.

 For a more detailed look at Ocean City fishing, please visit:
  http://ococean.com/things-to-do/fishing

For a more detailed list of area attractions, please visit: http://ococean.com/things-to-do

Parks & Recreation

Ocean City Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to serving all of your recreation, parks, and special event needs. The Ocean City Parks and Recreation Department runs many facilities including Eagle’s Landing Golf Course, the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the Ocean City Tennis Center and, of course, Northside Park. Information about Beach access for the disabled can also be found here.

For more Park, Recreational, and General Information, please visit:
 http://ococean.com/explore-oc/general-oc-information

Events Calendar

Springfest

OC Air Show

Sundaes in the Park

Sunfest

For more details about Ocean City, MD please visit: http://oceancitymd.gov/

For details about getting to Ocean City, MD please visit:
 http://ococean.com/travel-tools/getting-to-oc

For details about getting around Ocean City, MD, including those disabled, please visit:
 http://ococean.com/travel-tools/getting-around-oc

For an interactive orientation map of Ocean City, MD please visit:
 http://ococean.com/explore-oc/orientation-map

To view Ocean City web cams please visit: http://oceancitymd.gov/allcams.html