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Museums, Amusement Parks, Mini-Golf and More
Here in Ocean City, the beach is just the beginning. From roller coasters to pirates, waterslides to mini-golf, this bustling oceanfront city is overflowing with exciting attractions and activities.
While there are loads of attractions all around Ocean City and the surrounding towns, the Boardwalk is definitely the best place to start for family fun and excitement. The historic promenade is an attraction in itself, with its many unique shops, restaurants and distinct atmosphere. But the Boardwalk is also home to most of the area's amusement parks and arcades, including Trimpers Rides, near the inlet. Trimpers has more than 100 rides, including a famous 1902 Herschel-Spellman antique carousel featuring hand-carved wooden animals. Established 1887, Trimpers is a long-time Ocean City favorite, and a tradition for many families who return year after year. With its old-fashioned feel, Trimpers has all the classic amusement rides, like bumper boats, ferris wheel tea cups, roller coasters, a haunted house, tilt-awhirl and much more.
The pier at the Boardwalk is home to one part of Ocean City's largest amusement park, Jolly Roger. A visit to Jolly Roger at the Pier is definitely a must for any Ocean City visitor, with its many classic activities and rides. Get a birds-eye view from the area's tallest carousel, indulge on some Thrashers fries, and try out some of Ocean City's exciting amusement rides, like the Slingshot, which shoots you into the air like a cannonball. The original Jolly Roger at 30th Street offers even more rides, including the newest roller coaster at the beach. There are traditional midway games and an antique train circa 1952. Buy an armband and enjoy unlimited rides at both parks for one low price.
Amid the many shops and restaurants along the Boardwalk, there are also a few Ocean City landmarks along the way. The Ocean Gallery at 2nd Street is impossible to miss. The stunning art gallery is made out of recycled parts from more than 68 buildings from around the country and is one of the most photographed buildings in Maryland. Inside, the walls are lined with art of all kinds, shapes and sizes, including many works by Ocean City artists.
From the hysterical to the historic, pay a visit to the Ocean City Live-Saving Station Museum near the inlet and learn about the times and tides of Ocean City. Exhibits detail the history of the Live-Saving service and the town of Ocean City itself, with interesting artifacts and displays. Another museum on the Boardwalk displays artifacts of a whole different nature. Ripley's Believe it Or Not! Museum features more than 500 bizarre exhibits from around the world. Witness the unusual and the amazing, and rest assured you'll have a conversation starter for the rest of your vacation. Get some more laughs at Flashback Old Time Photos, which has three locations in Ocean entertaining as watching your family members dress up as saloon girls, pirates, gangsters and cowboys, and then having the photos to prove it. Plus, the antique-looking framed photo can serve as a great souvenir of your family vacation for years to come.
The hallmark of Ocean City attractions is family fun. Most of these activities are geared towards kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, but also the young at heart. Getting in touch with your youth is second nature in Ocean City, where carefree fun outweighs any responsibilities waiting at home.
Go-karting is one activity that unites both kids and adults. Kids love getting behind the wheel of something motorized, and the challenge of a race is felt by young and old. Baja Amusements in West Ocean City has eight different go-kart tracks, ranging from a Rookie Track for ages 4 to 7, to the Road Racer Track, Ocean City's fast 1/2 mile track, featuring single- and twin-engine karts for maximum speed. Baja also features an 18-hold mini golf course, bumper boats, two climbing walls and kiddie rides the whole family can enjoy. Grand Prix Amusements also boasts eight City-two on the Boardwalk and one in the OC Square Shopping Center. Nothing can be as go-kart tracks, including the favorite Grand Prix Track, featuring half a mile of banked curves and racing action. Reach ultimate speeds on the new Bullit Racing Go Karts. The seven acres of the amusement park are filled with loads of other attractions, including land and water rides, bumper boats, batting cages and more.
A taste of the Old West is never too far away in Ocean City, due to the popular western theme park at Frontier Town. Explore the replica western town circa 1880 and meet some colorful characters like cowboys, Indians and can-can girls. Then head over to the adjacent water park to float along the Lazy River, slide down a variety of water slides or play 18-holes of mini-golf.
Ocean City has many unique and challenging mini-golf courses, including Lost Treasure Golf, which promises a golf adventure to every visitor. Aim for a hole-in-one through caves, waterfalls and bridges. Old Pro Golf is one of Ocean City's oldest mini-golf courses, in operation for more than 40 years. Today, Old Pro has seven courses across Ocean City, including Ocean City's only indoor course. All of the courses have different and elaborate themes, including Renaissance Castle, Prehistoric Dinosaurs, Undersea Adventure, Temple of Dragons and more.
The Viking Golf Theme Park also offers an adventurous mini-golf experience, but with a totally unique theme mythological Scandinavia. As you golf, you can learn about Viking history, solve a riddle and imagine the Vikings' battle with a two-headed dragon. Also onsite is the Thunder Lagoon Waterpark, which features 2,800-square-feet of water fun for the whole family, including six water slides, three pools and interactive water props.
For some more intense fun, head to the recently renovated OC Paintball and Sports Center. Ages 10 and up are welcome to play day or night on 11-acres of lighted fields. The pro shop offers rentals, sales and a certified gun tech onsite at all times. Or pick up some speed aboard the OC Thriller, the newest and fastest speed boat in Ocean City. The hour-long narrated tour zips past the OC skyline at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Beyond the Boardwalk and immediate Ocean City area, there are several attractions worth a short drive. If you make a trip to Salisbury, don't miss the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, which features the most comprehensive collection of wildfowl carving in the world. Interpretive galleries explore the North American art form, from antique working decoys to internationally acclaimed sculpture and painting.
While the quaint town of Berlin is worth a trip in itself, the town's historic horse racing track makes the visit even more entertaining. Ocean Downs Racetrack, entering its 60th year of harness racing, is in the top ten percent of all U.S. Harness tracks in attendance and provides a unique, carnival-like atmosphere and entertainment for the whole family. Check the schedule for race nights, which often also feature prize drawings, kids games, fireworks and giveaways.
There are also many other places to go and things to do in Ocean City, from the Boardwalk to the Bay and well beyond. See our index to Food, Fun and Adventure for a full listing of attractions and activities.
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