Ocean City for Free

Ocean City, Maryland, has long been a popular vacation destination for families. Since the late 1800s, people have flocked to its white sandy beaches along its narrow peninsula.
Ocean City’s proximity to major East Coast cities is also appealing. It is just a short drive from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore. But even if you fly into the area, you don’t need a rental car to get around; the bus system makes it easy to get from one end of the famous boardwalk to the other.
Recreational opportunities abound here. Ocean City is known for having some of the best sport fishing in the world, due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream. Action-packed water sports include jet skiing, kite boarding and speedboat rides. Strolling the boardwalk or the miles of beach is a “must do” while you’re in Ocean City. Kids love the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the mini-golf courses and the many amusement park rides along the boardwalk.

And perhaps what’s extra appealing to families is the number of activities that are available for free in Ocean City. Check out these fun events that are taking place this summer:

Family Movie Nights, Mondays & Fridays, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., June 30-Aug. 15. Gather for fun, kid-friendly activities and a movie right on the beach at 27th Street. Activities include arts and crafts, games and sing-alongs for the first hour, with the movie starting at 8:45 p.m.

Family Beach Games, Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., July 1-Aug. 12. Meet at the 27th St. beach, which is at the northern end of the boardwalk, for such activities as sand castle contests, tug of war and relay games. Children must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

Sundaes in the Park, Sundays, 6 to 8 p.m., July 13-Aug. 24. Free concerts at Northside Park, at 127th St. and the bay. Family-friendly music ranges from country to rock. For a small fee, create your own delicious ice cream sundae then sit back, listen to the tunes and watch the sun set over Assawoman Bay.

Beach Concerts, Wednesdays, 8 to 9:30 p.m., July 9-Aug. 20. Enjoy free concerts right on the beach, just steps from Ocean City’s world-famous Boardwalk at North Division Street. The music varies from week to week.

Evening Bonfires, Thursdays, after dusk, July 10-Aug. 28. Hang out with friends and family around the bonfire on the beach at North Division Street. Each week features a different guest speaker, making bonfire hour entertaining as well as informative.

Museum Programs, Mondays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., mid-July-August. Gather outside the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the south end of the boardwalk for fun facts on topics that include beach safety, aquarium feeding, knot tying and sharks.

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