Image via Flickr by m01229
Whether for a family vacation, a husband-and-wife getaway sans the kids, or a weekend with the girlfriends or the guys, Ocean City, Maryland, has you covered. Picturing yourself on any one of the 10 miles of beach or watching the sunset over the ocean from your room at the Sea Bay Hotel can put you in the mood to plan your OC getaway. And if you’re traveling to Ocean City on a budget, below are six tips to help you when you’re “goin’ downy ayshin” (Baltimorean slangfor “going down to the ocean”).
1. Think Free With the Family
Summer is arguably one of Ocean City’s most popular seasons for family vacationers. An Ocean City event calendar is packed with plenty of no-charge, family fun activities. They include family beach Olympics, movies and concerts on the beach, ice cream sundaes in the park, fireworks, nighttime parties at Sunset Park, and more.
2. Make Weekdays Vacation Days
Come Fridays and Saturdays at certain times during the summer, it can seem like all the state’s residents are inching their way across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in their vehicles. Budget travelers can not only avoid the traffic headache but also save significantly on stays at hotels like the Fenwick Inn Sundays through Thursdays.
3. Book Early for Hotel Week Deals
Ocean City’s hoteliers and resorts roll out sweet discounts on rooms and free night stays during Hotel Week, a traveler incentive program that began in 2013. While participating establishments can offer great room deals, vacationers will want to book early to reap the savings rewards. Find more details about many of these places on the hotels in Ocean City page on Hipmunk.
4. Account for the Furry Members of the Family
Some people just can’t leave their precious pooches and felines at home during their Ocean City vacation. Fortunately, Ocean City welcomes the furry members of the family with pet-friendly accommodations, such as the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau. But don’t wait until the last minute. Some hotels and resorts accept requests on a first-come, first-served basis, with strict size limits often enforced.
5. Consider All Options for Amusement Attractions
The Ocean City boardwalk boasts countless amusement attractions. Vacationers traveling with the family should carefully look at all the ticketing options presented at the attractions before making a purchasing decision. The carousel, Ferris wheel, and other indoor and outdoor rides at Trimper’s Rides and Amusements, for example, have a few pricing options, ranging from single-ride tickets to wristband admission offering unlimited access to the rides without paying extra. Budget for longer than you think you’ll spend at the attractions.
6. Ride the ‘B’ and Save On Your Gas Budget
Park the car at your hotel and hop on the Coastal Highway Beach Bus instead. Buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with fares averaging 50 cents for a half day or $3 for Ride-All-Day passes, good from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
Been to Ocean City and have your own budget travel tips to share? Add your recommendations in the comments below.
Author Bio: Michael Vyskocil is a travel writer who enjoys writing about unique people, places, and things to do in locales across the country. His tourism and travel industry experience includes writing for Hipmunk. Michael’s tourism career spans more than seven years in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at visitor destinations such as the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, and the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum.
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