Get Answers from the OC Insiders

Jennifer,

Here's a great OC Insider link relating to the weather (http://ococean.com/explore-oc/meet-the-insiders/get-answers/general/893/vacationing-in-september). 

September is a great time to visit, rates are cheaper because it is not peak season.  Hotels for 3 year olds, any hotel that offers an indoor pool.  A couple oceanfront selections - Holiday Inn Suites, Quality Inn Boardwalk or Carousel.

Don't miss the indoor Trimper rides - they are perfect for your 3 year old.  They are only open on weekends in mid-September, but definitely worth a trip.

Have a great stay,
Anna G.

Sharon,

Bachelorette parties in OC are great fun!  We had our friend's party in OC a couple years ago and we all had a great time!

Pub Golf - I would suggest boardwalk bars.  Everything is in walking distance and your ending stop could be Seacrets!  Great night club area with dancing every night!  This website will provide you a walking map of the Boardwalk (http://ocboards.com/map.php).

You will have to grab a bus to get from the boardwalk to Seacrets - or even better grab a taxi.  There are vans available that should hold the majority of your group. 

Personally, for great food and great fun, I would start at OC Frog's at the Inlet and work your way up the boardwalk.  A few great spots to hit, Bearded Clam, Purple Moose, Hooter's, Shenanigan's, Brass Balls, then a couple of the hotel bars, like Holiday Inn Suites, Quality Inn Boardwalk, both of which have pool bars.

If you have time, don't miss planning a trip to Fager's Island.  They have a Bachelorette Crawl and the bride to be will get a free t-shirt and $30 gift card for future use just for completing all the fun and crazy tasks.

Have a great bachelorette weekend and congrats to the bride to be!

Thank you,
Anna G.

This is an interesting question - especially since I was just doing some research into OC's population.

Ocean City has a year round population of 7173 people based on the most recent (2000) census data. Seasonal population estimates vary widely, but peak weekend populations are typically between 320,000 and 345,000 people. The year round weekend average is around 155,000 people.

These numbers are based on a factored demo flush calculation that the city has used since the early 1970s.

If you want lots more information on the OC population you can find it in the 2006 OC Comprehensive Plan related to Municipal Growth. It is available at:
http://www.mdp.state.md.us/PDF/OurWork/CompPlans/Worcester/OceanCity/09_MGE_OceanCity.pdf

Danielle,

You made a great vacation choice in OC.  There are so many activities for all ages, from restaurants, to activities, to sightseeing, to accommodations, and so much more.

I hope you have been able to find some Insider responses as to accommodations and activities.  There are many questions and responses relating to family vacations.

Any restaurant you pick in OC is great for families because most offer a great selection for children, while keeping the parents in mind.  However, here are a few of my children's favorite restaurants in OC.  
 
FishTales, 21st Street & Bayfront
           Great kids play area with wooden play ship, dining area is in the sand,
           wonderful kids menu (kids meals served on a take home frisbee), and
           adult menu offers a great selection. 

DeLazy Lizard, 1st Street & Bayfront
           Another great wooden play structure, full service menus, and wonderful
           views.

Tony's Pizza, 3rd Street on the Boardwalk
            Wonderful pizza, my kids love the rooftop dining area.

Dumser's, 49th Street is their favorite location.
              Dinner with ice cream - what could be better?

Dough Roller, 41st Street is their favorite location
                Great food.

Don't forget to get the Visitor's Guide or Sunny Day Guide or check out Val Pak website for money saving coupons for all your dining and activity selections.

Have fun planning your 2011 vacation - it will be here before you know it!
Anna G.

Teeg,

There are carts that you can purchase at any of the local stores (Sunsations, Rose's, etc.) which work well.  Other alternatives, if you have a boogie board, use it to pull all the items.  We use laundry baskets (the bendable plastic type) to carry items and then just rinse everything in the basket after all the fun.  Wagons with big wheels work, coolers, and we saw one family using the basket idea as well.  They took the stronger plastic laundry baskets, filled them and then added rope and pulled them behind them.  Very ingenious.

Have a great family vacation!  OC has so much to offer people of all ages.

Thank you,
Anna G.

Teeg,

That is an absolutely wonderful idea for small children so they can enjoy the beach too!  There are several chain stores to get the blow up type pools - CVS, Food Lion, Walmart.  In addition several local stores, like Sunsations and Rose's offer them as well.

Just a suggestion, if you use ocean water, ensure you add sufficient sunscreen because the salt water can increase the sun's potency, as well keep a couple bottles of water close by so if the little one gets salt water in their eyes you can pour water over their head to rinse.

Don't miss the indoor rides at Trimper's on the boardwalk.  They have great rides for little ones that your 8 month old would truly enjoy.

Hope your family has a great vacation!
Anna G.

Yes you can boogie board at the beach. I think you can rent them where you rent umbrellas and beach chairs just not sure how much.

Sunsations has cheap boogie boards, prices vary depending on size. Or if you want a good one, go to Endless Summer surf shop on 37th street, you get a free rash guard if you buy one of thier boogie boards. They are better quality than the ones at Sunsations.

Kathy,
The Public Works Maintenance Division is offering individuals the opportunity to purchase a bench and plaque in honor of or in memory of a loved one or friend. The benches are located on the boardwalk from the Inlet to 27th Street. The cost for the bench and plaque is $1,400. Please contact the Public Works Maintenance Division at 410-524-0391(410) 524-0391 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting410end_of_the_skype_highlighting to obtain the bench dedication form that will need to be completed.
You can also dedicate a brick for $100 with the OCFD.  Please call 410-289-4346 for a dedication form.

Tony,

I guess I can speak for all of my Insider colleagues, and I hope more of them respond to this very nice message (which they will!!), when I say thank you for choosing Ocean City as your family's weekend vacation destination.  We become "Insiders", or "Ambassadors" of this town because we truly love this town.  We want you to have the best experience possible in Ocean City, because all of us will agree that many of our best experiences have been in Ocean City..... so, have a great time!!!  Enjoy yourself, and fall in love with this town..... I am sure that once you experience Ocean City, that you'll want to visit every year, for years to come!!!!  Thank you for your very nice message!  Bill F.

Tony,

Many of the hotel outdoor pools are heated to extend the season as long as possible.  We've been down in October and November and either been in coats to simply tshirts.  Weather truly varies, best idea is to check www.weather.com a couple days prior to your visit.  Ocean swimming again, temperatures vary but would be very likely, especially since the heat of August has warmed the ocean water dramatically.

Many places will still be open, the biggest change you will see is the outdoor rides will all be closed (they close the week after labor day).  Otherwise, pretty much business as usual.

Thank you,
Anna G.