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Travel guide

The Ocean City Boardwalk

Three miles of rides, arcades, fudge shops, and ocean air — the boardwalk is the heart of Ocean City, Maryland.

How long is the boardwalk?

The boardwalk runs about 3 miles, from the Inlet at the southern tip of town up to 27th Street. It's the spine of "Downtown" Ocean City — the busiest, oldest, most walkable stretch of the whole town, running along the beach the entire way.

What's on the boardwalk

• Trimper's Rides: the Inlet-end anchor of the boardwalk, with a historic wooden roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, and dozens of rides for all ages.
• Funland: a second major amusement park farther up the boardwalk, combining rides and arcade games with a water-park component.
• Bay Inlet Pier: fishing and skyline views right at the south end, with bait and tackle available on-site — no license needed for most public piers.
• Arcades & amusements: scattered the length of the boardwalk, from classic skee-ball rooms to modern prize arcades.
• Food: boardwalk fries, Old Bay fries, fudge and saltwater taffy shops, funnel cakes, corn dogs, and pizza by the slice are the local staples — grazing your way up the boardwalk is a rite of passage.
• Shops: beachwear, souvenirs, and novelty stores line both sides for most of the 3-mile stretch.
• The tram: an open-air tram runs the full length of the boardwalk in season for a small fare — useful if you're staying at one end and exploring the other.

Staying near the boardwalk

Boardwalk-adjacent hotels put you in walking distance of all of the above, which is the main draw for first-time visitors and anyone who wants to spend a full day on foot. The tradeoff is price and noise: this stretch commands the highest nightly rates in town and stays loud later on summer weekends. If you'd rather trade a short walk for a quieter room and a lower rate, Midtown or Uptown are worth comparing in the full hotel guide.

Tips for visiting

• Go early morning or after dinner in July/August to avoid the worst of the midday crowds and heat.
• Most rides, arcades, and shops operate seasonally — many close or cut hours after Labor Day.
• Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk only in early morning hours (typically before 10am) — check posted signage.
• Check the Ocean City forecast before you go; boardwalk crowds thin out fast in rain but the arcades stay open.

If you're planning a family visit, the family vacation guide has more tips on boardwalk activities for kids.

Business names, hours, and seasonal operations change year to year — this page describes the boardwalk generally rather than listing specific current vendors.