First and foremost, the best part about Ocean City, Maryland is absolutely free for everyone - the beach! But with week-long stays or even long-weekend trips, we understand you can’t spend your entire time sitting in the sand or swimming in the ocean.
It’s easy to go out and spend more money than anticipated while on vacation, but we’ve put together a few tips on budgeting your trip and getting the most out of Ocean City on a dime!
Be on the lookout for free activities. Along with basking in the sun at the beach, there are many free things for you and your family and friends to do! Take a stroll along the boardwalk, check out Movies on the Beach or Family Beach Olympics from June to August. Sundays throughout the peak summer season are meant to be spent at Northside Park’s Sundaes in the Park - a free concert with ice cream, magicians, and fireworks after the show. (The OC Air Show, Arts Alive, and White Marlin Open are all free events throughout the summer that you’ll want to take advantage of if you’re in town!)
Happy hours will make you and your bank account happy. We think of cocktails, frozen drinks, and draft beers when we hear ‘happy hour,’ but most places in town offer unbeatable deals on food during their happy hours, too. Trust us, we know Bad Monkey’s two-for-one drinks are to-die-for, but we also love getting 40% off clams and oysters at Bull on the Beach, $10 sandwiches at Rare & Rye, and other food specials throughout the week.
Coupon books, enough said. Explore OC has great resources for daily specials throughout Ocean City, but sometimes it’s nice to see things in print. Pick up a coupon book at a nearby grocery store or gas station and flip through for some discounted prices on activities, meals and things you may have never even thought of.
Miniature Golf - not only for the kids! Mini golf is a great, affordable way to spend part of the day with the kids, but it’s also a great way to have some fun as an adult, whether you have children or not! Don’t be afraid to head to one the many courses along coastal highway with some of your friends over the age of 30 and make a fun day out of it! But don’t goof off too much... it’ll be embarrassing if the 7-year old ahead of you scores better.
Venture over to Assateague Island. For $10, your vehicle will have access to the island for the entire week. Admire the majestic wild horses, adventure through the barrier island salt marshes, and explore everything that the National Seashore Park has to offer.
Don’t let the worries of vacation expenses or the thoughts of overspending put a damper on your trip to Ocean City - make every penny count, take advantage of all the free events, and be sure to get the best bang for your buck!