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There are bathrooms and open (rinse-off only) showers on the Boardwalk about a block from the parking lot.  There are no changing rooms or private showers though. 

My friend, this is not New Jersey.  We welcome everyone to our clean beaches regardless if you are staying one day or 100 days and we will not charge you a cent to sit on our white sandy beaches, bask in our warm sun and sea breezes, and jump in our cleaner than New Jersey waters.  Plus, if you arrive early, you can find a free parking space on one of the side streets.  If you arrive later, you can always park at the Hugh Cropper Inlet parking lot on the south side of Ocean City for a small fee.

The Ocean City bus goes up to the Delaware line and back down to thelower boardwalk area of Ocean City.  You can ride all day for just $3 a person.  Just another reason that Ocean City is America's favorite seaside city! 

The parking lot at the southern end of Ocean City is calleed the Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking lot.  Most people just call it the Inlet parking lot.  It has over 1200 parking spaces.  If you arrive early, you can get a good spot.  The charge is $2.50 an hour.  If you arrive early, sometimes you can get a free spot on one of the side streets up and down the main road.  You can also park just west of Ocean City in the Park and ride at 12848 Ocean Gateway (route 50) and ride the shuttle into town for $1 per person for an all day pass.

Trimpers indoor rides open at 1pm on weekdays and the outside rides open at 3pm on weekdays.  All the rides open at 12 noon on weekend.  Trimper's is home to the world's oldest continual running carousel. Be a part of history and be sure to ride it!  www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAQrA2_ClEE   The Jolly Roger pier rides open at 12:00 noon.  Be sure to ride the ferris wheel for an awesome view of Ocean City at the top.  (Bring a camera)

Different business open up at different times on the boarwalk. 

The restaurants that serve breakfast open around 6:00am
and the bike rental companies open around 7:00am
The stores that sell beachware open around 8-9am
Almost everything but the rides and lunch restaurants are open by 10:00

Easy!  Make a right of of the parking lot onto Coastal Highway.  The convention center is on Coastal Highway and 40th Street.  This is 8 blocks away. Should take about 5 minutes to walk or drive there including parking.

The Plim Plaza on 4th St has a pool bar as does the more wilder Party Block on 17th St.  I am of the understanding that if you get a day or week pass at Golds Gym on 115th St, you can use the Comfort Inn Pool.  The Clarion at 100th St has a gym too that you can purchase passes.  I am not sure if that pass allows you to use their indoor and out pools though.

Greyhound Bus is your best bet.  Hunt Valley Motor Coach also does a day trip on selected days.

I would say that the peak season is from July 1st to August 20th this year.   Weekends have higher hotel costs than weekdays.  Ocean front rooms have higher costs than non ocean front rooms.  It's the classic law of supply and demand.  I would guess that most hotels adhere to these rates but some hotels have summer rates that go in effect for the whole summer.

Starting this year, yes.

You can get your fishing license online fron the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or in Ocean City at the Oyster Bay Tackle Shop across from the Fountainhead condos near 116th ST.  www.oysterbaytackle.com  They can also reccomend what is being caught and where is the best place to catch them.  Lot's of great fishing tips on the page also.

The Greyhound bus is your best option.  The train does not run anywhere near Ocean City.