This post is sponsored by Ocean City Maryland.

This past week we took a staycation to Ocean City, Maryland for a summer getaway! Just being around three hours from Lancaster, it was the perfect distance to get away with little kids. This was a trip to remember - it was Adlavie’s first time seeing the ocean and although we have been to Ocean City many times before, we had the opportunity to see lots of new sights and attractions!

Ocean City, Maryland has been named “America’s greatest family resort”, and I can see why! Our family was able to rediscover just how fun it is to be together throughout our trip, whether we were at the arcade, waterpark, beach, or boardwalk. Getting away from all the daily stress and ditching the to-do list was just what we all needed. I wanted to write up a quick guide of everything we ate, saw, and did during our trip. Keep reading!

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort which is the largest Oceanfront Resort in Maryland with their four story Tropical Atrium, Olympic sized indoor pool, award winning spa, and tons of family activities. We stayed in one of their many poolside suites with a separate bedroom, pull out sofa, and fully equipped kitchenette. They have their own beachfront , multiple restaurants on site, and live music in the evenings. It was so convenient being in walking distance to the pool and beach with little ones! I also appreciated how much room there was for my kids to run around along with indoor games like cornhole and giant connect 4 in their atrium. 

THINGS TO DO

The first evening in OCMD, we decided to take a 30-minute scenic drive to Assateague Island to hunt for seashells and watch the sunset. Assateague Island, located within Assateague State Park, is perfect for parents with little ones because it can be a much calmer environment than the beach. We saw wild ponies, found lots of seashells, and played in the shallow water. 

The next day, I decided to take my oldest to the Boardwalk for some one-on-one time while Adlavie napped.  At just under three miles, the Ocean City, Maryland, boardwalk is a perfect family bike ride, an invigorating walk or run, or a relaxing tram ride. We headed to Marty’s Playland for an afternoon of arcade games. It is one of the largest game and prize selections in Ocean City, and close to lots of other boardwalk favorites!

One of our favorite activities during this trip was Splash Mountain at  Jolly Roger Amusement Park. It has been named by the Travel Channel as one of the top 5 water parks in the country. I really appreciated how there was plenty for any age group to do, my kids were entertained for hours! There are rides, pools, and slides for all ages - we will definitely be going back! 

It rained the second night we were in OCMD, so we figured it was the perfect time to explore Ripley’s attractions on the boardwalk. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Is a newly renovated gallery with dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits - perfect for kids! We spent so much time in the STEM section before heading to the Marvelous Mirror Maze. My oldest had the best time trying to make his way out of the labyrinth of mirrors and LED lights. 

I decided to take a morning for mindfulness during our trip and booked a group session with Ocean City Yoga - an outdoor yoga experience right on Princess Royale’s beachfront. Kristen, Ocean City Yoga’s owner, encourages you to go at your own pace and she meets you right where you are at. I appreciated the opportunity to become more centered and connected during our vacation, I highly recommend it!

PLACES TO EAT

We definitely took advantage of Princess Royale’s resort dining and had breakfast at Schooner’s Oceanfront Restaurant on their beautiful patio. The kids loved their pancakes, and I enjoyed their fresh fruit before heading to yoga! We also had breakfast at Bad Monkey during our time in OCMD, they are known for their monkey bread and I can confirm it’s worth the hype! I also enjoyed their “Man Up” bowl - SO good!

On our way into OCMD we decided to grab a quick lunch at Longboard Cafe, this surf-themed bistro is popular with the locals for food, drinks, and ambiance. Their margaritas and crab BLT tacos are a MUST! We also had lunch at Hooper Crab House, a casual bayfront restaurant with seafood classics and all-you-can-eat Maryland-style steamed crabs. We were able to be seated on Sneaky Pete’s boat which was such a fun experience for us all while we enjoyed the best seafood we have ever had. 

For dinner, our go to spots were Coastal Salt and Ropewalk. Coastal Salt is a new American Restaurant with an emphasis on fresh, locally caught seafood with a unique culinary twist. It’s right on the boardwalk so the views were also amazing! We enjoyed Frog Leg Scampi, Lemonade Scallops, and Roasted Maryland Crab Cake, YUM! Ropewalk is a family-friendly lunch and dinner spot right on the bay. Their food was such an elevated experience and we loved being able to enjoy it while the kids played on their playground! When you go, you must order their Crab Cake Egg Rolls! 

While we enjoyed the dining experiences in OCMD, we couldn’t forget to make room for our favorites at Thrasher’s and Dumser’s. Thrasher’s Fries, also known as the best french fries on the planet, are conveniently on the boardwalk for anytime you need a snack while at the beach or shopping! Another local favorite, Dumser’s Dairyland, is a must-stop for a yummy treat! Dumser’s has seven locations throughout OCMD so have no fear ice cream is always near!

Whether you're looking for a family, romantic or girls getaway, Ocean City is the place to be! If OCMD isn’t on your bucket list yet, it’s a must add. To keep up with and learn more about our calendar of 2022 events, visit OCOcean.com to start planning!