Ocean City

Ocean City, Maryland is a classic American beach resort that's been at it since the Atlantic Hotel opened in 1875 — the town just celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025. But don't come expecting a preserved historic district. This place is boardwalk rides, salt air, Old Bay on everything, and multigenerational families who've been making the same August trip for decades.

The summer population explodes from roughly 7,000 year-round residents to between 320,000 and 345,000 people on peak weekend days. That math matters. The town's entire infrastructure bends toward tourism from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and then it breathes out.

Locals genuinely prefer September. The boardwalk stretches nearly 3 miles from the Inlet to 27th Street and has been operating in some form since 1910. Thrasher's French Fries (going on 96 years), Fisher's Popcorn (88 years), Dolle's Candyland, and Trimper Rides (over a century) are not tourist traps — they're actual institutions that locals eat and ride too.

The Herschell-Spillman carousel on the Boardwalk is one of the oldest operating carousels in the country. And Backshore Brewing at 10th Street is the only brewery actually located in Ocean City itself. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach, the boardwalk, and public streets — this is not that kind of beach town.

The police enforce it, and they enforce the noise ordinance (nothing audible from 50 feet between midnight and 7 AM) just as seriously.

Put Old Bay on your Thrasher's fries, not ketchup. Thrasher's doesn't even offer ketchup — and locals will side-eye you if you ask. Vinegar is the move..

The Boardwalk tram rings a bell before it moves. Step aside or you will get nudged along. It's not aggressive, just efficient..

Bikes on the Boardwalk are a morning-only thing from Memorial Day through Labor Day — permitted until 11 AM. After that, walkers own the planks.. Alcohol is flat-out prohibited on the beach, the boardwalk, and all public streets.

The police enforce it. Don't try to be clever about it.. No fireworks of any kind except small handheld sparklers — and even those require adult supervision.

The full ban includes ground sparklers sold in neighboring states.. Rip currents are real here. If you get caught in one, swim parallel to the shore — not against it.

Lifeguards are on duty 10 AM to 5:30 PM daily during peak season.. Surfing is only allowed at two designated beaches announced each morning on local radio. Everyone else swims in the general beach areas..

Dogs on the beach and boardwalk are only allowed October 1 through April 30 — not during summer, full stop.. The noise ordinance is no joke: nothing audible from 50 feet after midnight. Condo buildings enforce this and police respond to complaints.

Ocean City looks statistically dangerous on crime indexes, but that's a math problem — the violent crime rate is calculated against a population of 7,000 while the actual visitor volume hits millions annually. Factor in the tourists and the real risk profile is low. That said, some practical notes for 2026.

The town launched its Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart campaign this spring — pedestrian safety on Coastal Highway is a genuine concern. It's an eight-lane highway. Always use crosswalks, always wait for the signal.

The State Highway Administration installed nearly three miles of median fencing along Coastal Highway specifically to stop dangerous mid-block crossings. Use the crosswalks. Ocean surf can be rough.

Lifeguards are on duty 10 AM to 5:30 PM daily from Memorial Day through the end of Sunfest weekend. No swimming after 5:30 PM — take that seriously. Rip currents happen; swim parallel to shore, not against the current.

Watch your drinks at beach bars. Don't leave beverages unattended. The noise ordinance and open-container laws are enforced actively.

So is underage drinking — plain-clothes officers conduct undercover operations during Senior Week in June and throughout the summer. Don't sleep in your car (it's illegal) and don't sleep on the beach after 10 PM. The police department is active on social media at @ocpdmdinfo if you want to follow current enforcement updates.