TRAVEL – Ocean City, Maryland: Over the fence into D.C.’s backyard beach

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Ocean City  sunsetJune 1, 2014
Brelaun Douglas
News Writer
Travel

Situated along the coast of Maryland, Ocean City is an ideal destination for a family vacation or a trip with friends. Its humid subtropical climate makes it an excellent vacation spot all year long with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city has a variety of accommodations and activities to keep guests busy and entertained throughout their stay.

Lodging
For a lodging experience that comes with spectacular views, guests should occupy the Beach Plaza Hotel. Here, they will get fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean while relaxing on the hotel’s covered porch. Rooms are available in oceanfront and ocean view rooms, apartments and efficiencies with a charming Victorian décor. Guests can rent bikes from the hotel to ride along the boardwalk, which is nearby.
Located in midtown near various restaurants, night clubs, shops, and the convention center, Princess Bayside Hotel is an ideal place for those looking to be close to all that Ocean City has to offer. Guests can spend their time in one of the spacious efficiencies or go and enjoy the hotel’s rooftop pool or private beach. This hotel is also perfect for weddings on the private beach with its hibiscus and palm trees and beautiful sunset view.

Dining
Looking for cuisine with Chinese or Indian flavor calls for a meal at Asian Garden. Located in downtown, this restaurant is ideal to pop into while taking a break from downtown activities. Or, guests can also order carryout or have food delivered to their hotels. From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is the lunch special with foods such as sesame chicken, pepper steak, Hunan shrimp, and beef Szechuan. The dinner special offers beef with broccoli, orange chicken, spare ribs combo and more. Dinner specials are served with fried rice and an egg roll.

To enjoy a meal on the waterfront, guests can look to Harborside Bar & Grill. This restaurant is located in West Ocean City and is on the commercial harbor. The menu includes items such as calamari, coconut shrimp, and crab dip for appetizers. For entrees, guests can enjoy crab cakes, chipotle tuna, stuffed shrimp, and various wraps, burgers, and salads. A variety of beers and cocktails are also available for those of age.

Things to Do
Family fun with tons of variety calls for guests to take a trip to the Ocean City boardwalk. This three mile long wooden boardwalk is filled with family activities for every generation to enjoy from bike rides to shows to carnival rides. Guests can begin the day with a bike ride – either their own or rented from one of the shops — or browse through the shops and booths lining the boardwalk. Stroll down the boardwalk and take in one of the impromptu shows by street performers or take in the ocean view or the site of kites soaring on the breeze. Take a few steps and go and play on the beach or go and enjoy the amusement of roller coasters, the Ferris wheel, the carousel and stop by the arcade and win prizes.

After guests have thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the boardwalk, they can walk to the south end of it and visit the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum for a small admission fee. Here, they can relive the adventures of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, a predecessor of the modern day Coast Guard. Children can go and be entertained by the Aquarium room, which features huge saltwater tanks hosting an ever-changing array of spectacular sea creatures. Others will take wonder at the exhibits of shipwrecks, old-fashioned beachwear, mermaid displays, sands from around the world, and Davy Jones’ locker. On the way out, guests can stop in at the gift shop for nautical gifts and books.

For a more relaxing stay, guests can stop over at the Creative Day Spa. The spa is located just one block from the beach and is decorated in palm trees, bamboo, monkeys and coconuts to give guests a calming Caribbean atmosphere. Friendly, yet professional, staff members pamper patrons while guiding them through various spa treatments such as either a cucumber or cupcake pedicure, coconut or body-butter wrap, and golf ball massage. Packages can be purchased as well as group services.

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