Ocean City, NJ Road Trips

Ocean City, New Jersey is a world famous seashore community located in the heart of the Jersey Shore. At the northern tip of Cape May County, it is 20 minutes from Atlantic City, 70 minutes from Philadelphia, and two hours from New York. The 2½-mile boardwalk is the central focus of Ocean City's attractions. It is lined up with shops and restaurants of every kind, movie theaters, amusement rides, miniature golf courses, and a water park like no other. Since the late 1800s, the population of Ocean City has grown rapidly. It remains a premier summer destination for all ages who enjoy the 8 miles of guarded beaches along the coast.

Gillian's Wonderland Pier, 6th St. and Boardwalk. Boasts a massive Ferris wheel, which offers breathtaking views of the whole city and the ocean. If you like sunsets, rent a house on the bay for some of the best views you will find anywhere. The town, where many historical sites and beautiful homes are around every corner. The bay, where Ocean City offers every water sport imaginable, including water skiing, surfing and para sailing. The many historical museums Ocean City offers that features all of Ocean City’s history and the adventures of the city’s past. Discovery Seashell Museum, 2721 Asbury Ave, ☏ +1 609-398-2316. A museum with over 1000 species of the most finest and rarest sea shells. They also carry an extensive collection of nautical gifts.

During the day, the beach is your best option (weather permitting). You will need beach tags, which can be purchased upon entering the beach. Most house rentals will provide beach tags. In the mornings, the boardwalk is packed with bicycles and surreys, which can be rented from a variety of places including Ove's and Bob's. However, make sure you go early because after noon, bicycles are not permitted. Take a ride down Bay Avenue and you will find jet ski and kayak rentals in addition to charter fishing boats, parasailing, and even speed boat rides. Another fun family activity is to rent a bike or surrey for a few hours! Ocean City offers a ton of bike rental companies that all offer different rates, so make sure you compare them to get the best! During the summer, you can ride bikes and surreys on the boardwalk from 5AM to noon. The boardwalk accommodates all of the activities by having designated lanes for runners, walkers, surreys and bicycles. Both are a fun activity that take place on the boardwalk in the middle of all the fun! The staff are very accommodating and are always there for your service! The 9th Street Music Pier is host to many concerts and other events. For those of you who are interested in Ecotourism, Ocean City is a perfect destination of choice. It has beautiful nature, scenery and wildlife on a perfect little island. Many Ecotourism activities are available in Ocean City including: Atlantic Flyaway, a bird watching facility with a view of shore birds, wading birds, and water animals like whales, dolphins and seals.

There are many high quality food options including the world-famous Mack N' Manco's Pizza, Prep's Pizza, Voltaco's (great Italian food), Sack O' Subs (good sandwiches and cheesesteaks), Express Pizza (great pizza), The Chatterbox, Ove's Beach Grill, Brown's (for outstanding donuts), Bagels by the Beach (best in town), Yesterday's (over the 34th street bridge, so it serves alcohol), Tory's (GREAT ice cream),the Island Grill, and many other restaurants. If you are in town and looking for somewhere great to eat, just ask. Bashful Banana Bakery and Cafe. Offers a healthier option for food or desert. This quaint cafe at 946 Boardwalk has banana whips, which are frozen bananas turned into a frozen 100% fruit dessert. They also have a full menu of vegan, vegetarian and meat options for lunch or dinner, like sandwiches and wraps. Chatterbox Restaurant, 500 9th St (on the corner of Central Avenue and 9th St), ☏ +1 609 399-0113. This big pink restaurant goes by the logo Where the town meets, and rightfully so. It is very family oriented and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all year round. You can order your standard American breakfast and lunch foods until 5PM, when a wide variety of dinner entrees become available. The menu offers everything from burgers to pasta, seafoods, and steak. Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor. Offers over 50 different flavors of ice cream or you can create your own. The staff is very friendly and even with a wait, the line moves very fast. There is a big seating area and the decors of the store are very cozy and amusing for children.

There is not much in the way of nightlife, being that it is a very family oriented town. Ocean City is a dry town, meaning alcohol cannot be sold there, but you need not look further than across the 9th Street Bridge in Somers Point where you will find the Circle Liquor Store, D'Orio's Bar, and several other establishments serving alcohol, including Charlie’s Bar and Gregory’s. These two bars offer a great atmosphere with the friendliest staff and customers. It is also a short drive to Atlantic City, Sea Isle, and other shore points where alcohol is available.

There are a few hotels in town, but the majority of visitors rent houses or condos for periods of one week or weekends. Atlantis Inn Bed and Breakfast, 601 Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 609 399-9871. Offers a European feel for a romantic getaway. 1 Flanders Hotel, 719 E 11th St, ☏ +1 609 399-1000, [email protected]. A luxury hotel on the boardwalk. (updated Mar 2025) Port-O-Call Hotel, 1510 Boardwalk (Located at 15th Street on the boardwalk), toll-free: +1-800-334-4546. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. This pink, beachfront hotel provides its guests with seasonally decorated rooms and a sundeck/pool. Varies from $115 to $430 per night depending on the month..

Atlantic City International Airport (ACY IATA) is the nearest large airport. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA) is about 65 miles away. It is significantly larger than the Atlantic City airport and has more flights. Ocean City Municipal Airport (FAA:26N) is a small, regional airport with no scheduled commercial flights. Private planes park within walking distance of beach access, outdoor showers, restaurant, and golf course. Parking Fee applies. There are also buses and trains that will take you to Atlantic City, which is approximately 20 minutes away by car. The buses that run from China Town in Philadelphia take you to Atlantic City and from Atlantic City, the buses will then take you to your specific New Jersey Shore location. There is an Ocean City Transportation Center located on 10th Street and Haven Avenue that drops off and picks up. Most visitors arrive by car via the Garden State Parkway southbound exits 30 or 25, or northbound exits 25 & 29 which can be reached from the New Jersey Turnpike exit 11 or the Atlantic City Expressway (New Jersey Route 42) exit 7S There are bridges at 34th Street and 9th Street that provide access into town. There is a third bridge on the northern end of the island as well which links it to Somers Point, Longport, Margate, Ventnor, and Atlantic City.

Either by car or bicycle. It is a very small city and most destinations can be reached reasonably by bike or on foot. If using your car, drive cautiously because there are tons of bicyclers and pedestrians at all hours of the day. Bike can be rented at various locations along the Board Walk as well as a few other locations on the island, such as the 34th Street Bike Shop at 34th Street and West Ave. Rental rates vary by location, with the spots closest to the Board Walk often being the most expensive. Rentals can be made by the hour or if desired, by the day. During the summer season, parking in Ocean City can be expensive. The general rule is the closer you are to the ocean and/or to 9th Street, the more expensive it is. Parking meters and parking fees for municipal lots in Ocean City are in effect from early May to early October. The rate for on-street parking meters vary from 25 cents per hour in the downtown area along Asbury Avenue to $1.50 per hour near the beach and boardwalk. Time limits for metered parking vary from 1 hour to 8 hours depending on the spot. Payment at parking meters in Ocean City can be made with coins, credit card, or the Parkmobile app. There are several municipal parking lots in Ocean City that serve the downtown, beach, and boardwalk areas. Municipal parking lots are either regulated by parking meters, staffed by an attendant, regulated by permits, or in some cases may be free.