Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors travel near and far just to visit Ocean City’s Boardwalk. For many, it is a family tradition filled with anticipation up to the moment you step onto “the Boards.” From May through October the Boardwalk offers endless opportunities for wholesome family fun and entertainment. November through April offers a slower pace, many seasonal sales and holiday special events. The Boardwalk starts buzzing early in the morning. Spanning two and a half miles, it becomes an open-air wooden by-way for biking, walking, jogging and people watching (distance is conveniently marked every quarter mile). For safety and comfort during the summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day, bike traffic is limited to between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 noon. In the off-season, residents and visitors are free to enjoy riding on the boardwalk around the clock. The boardwalk is an incredible place to take in the ocean views and sea breezes. To help keep the air fresh and to limit fire hazards, smoking is only allowed in clearly marked designated areas.
The Boardwalk is alive with excitement well into the evening. From 6th to 14th Street you will find family amusement parks that boast traditional favorites and the latest thrill rides, go-karts, a water park, and high-tech arcades with games for kids of all ages. Miniature golf theme parks become fantasy island adventures featuring water falls, man-eating sharks, pirate folklore and more.
Every Thursday on the Boardwalk in July and August is “Family Night,” with live entertainment and celebrations along every block. This free entertainment is the Boardwalk Merchants’ gift to their visitors who will each find something they love from the great variety of choices. Dance with classic, pop and oldies bands, get serenaded by a strolling barbershop quartet, have your face painted, enjoy free yo-yo demonstrations, try your hand at karaoke or figuring out the latest trick by the roving magicians or simply sit and enjoy the sounds of the strolling string band. Whatever your pleasure may be, the Boardwalk Merchants hope you enjoy your present.
For those who crave shopping, the Boardwalk offers the latest in brand name clothing, resort wear, jewelry, vacation essentials, novelty and specialty items – many unique to Ocean City. From homemade fudge and salt water taffy to antique collectibles or books for lazy afternoon reading, shopping can be a daily event or an end-of-season savings event just in time for holiday gift giving.
Year round special events spice up the Boardwalk experience. The Music Pier, an historic boardwalk auditorium, is the site of many concerts featuring a full range of musical styles for every generations’ pleasure. Parades are another fun boardwalk tradition including the Baby Parade where children from newborns to school age kids showcase their cuteness and creativity, the parade of Miss New Jersey contestants, high school marching bands, and a parade of vintage and classic cars. New automobiles are showcased at the Annual Auto Show. Other events not to be missed include the Spring and Fall Family Fun Fests and merchant table sales during Citywide Yard Sale weekends. Finally, there are many families who make it a point to always begin and end their years at the Ocean City Boardwalk. Ocean City’s First Night New Year’s Eve celebration and New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge will make your heart beat just a little bit faster
13th Street Bathhouse & Bikes 13th Street & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-7121 | 99 Four Shore 1044 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-7368 | Air Circus 1114 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-9343 |
Bad Kitty 1064 Boardwalk Ocean City | Bag Boutique 836 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-7403 | Barefoot Trading Company 1242 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-8300 |
Bashful Banana Bakery & Cafe 946 Boardwalk on Colony Walk Ocean City 609-398-9677 | Beach Club Hotel 1280 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-8555 | |
Boardwalk Merchants Ocean City 609-457-1151 | Boardwalk Peanut Shoppe 10th & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-391-2002 | Boba Brothers & Mom's Nuts 1138 Boardwalk Ocean City 267-767-9940 |
By The Sea 850 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-0159 | Cape House Condominiums 1500 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-703-3090 | Congo Falls Miniature Golf 1132 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-1211 |
Curly's Fries International 950 Boardwalk & 822 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-335-7353 | Del's Oceanside Grill 934 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-3931 | Emily's Ocean Room Cafe' 719 E. 11th Street Ocean City 609-398-5700 |
Flanders Hotel 719 E. 11th Street Ocean City 609-399-1000 x7123 | Flanders Hotel and Conference Center 719 E. 11th Street Ocean City 609-398-9998 | |
Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge 1100 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2202 | George's Candies 700 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-4444 | Gillian's Island /Adventure Golf Plymouth Place & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-0483 |
Gillian's Wonderland Pier 6th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-7082 | Hamburger Construction Co. 1020 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-0454 | Henna Shop 974 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-9709 |
Henry's Fine Jewelry 1236 Boardwalk Ocean City 800-214-4435 | Ike's Famous Crabcakes 2 1344 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-814-1700 | Islander 920 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-3162 |
Jilly's Arcade 1168 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2814 | Jilly's French Fry Factory 1034 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2869 | Jilly's Ice Cream Factory 1172 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2814 |
Jilly's Tee Shirt Factory 936 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-4200 | Jilly's Tee Shirt Factory 1048 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-4200 | Johnson's Popcorn 1360 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-5404 |
KB'S Kettle Corn 600 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-646-7069 | Mack and Manco, Inc. 920 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2548 | Mia's Christmas Gallery 1078 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-525-2455 |
Ocean 7 7th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-2200 | Ocean City Coffee Company 928 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-5533 | Ocean City.calm 1008 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2946 |
Ocean Paradise 960 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-5229 | Ocean Treasures 1008 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-5549 | Old Salt 1312 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-1063 |
Original Fudge Kitchen 800 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-7457 | Oves Seafood Restaurant & Bikes 4th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-3712 | Pirate Voyages 10th & Palen Avenue Ocean City 609-398-7555 |
Playland's Castaway Cove 1020 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-4751 | Port O Call Hotel 1510 Boardwalk Ocean City 800-334-4546 | Prep's Pizzeria & Dairy Bar 1004 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-0636 |
Promenade Food Court 744 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-4174 | Rita's Water Ice 900 & 1348 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-3385 | Roma Pizza 656 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-6597 |
Shirt Shack 808 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-5402 | Shriver's Gelato 846-848 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-0100 | Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge 9th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-0100 |
Steel's Fudge 1000 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-2383 | Surf Buggy Centers 8th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2468 | Surf Mall 12th St & Boardwalk Ocean City 609-398-1533 |
Terry Ivory Jewelry 952 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-391-1166 | The Hula Grill 942 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-399-2400 | The Spot by Jilly's 762 Boardwalk Ocean City |
The Spot by Jilly's 1066 Boardwalk Ocean City | Walt's Original Primo Pizza 832 Boardwalk Ocean City 609-525-0022 |