Ocean City, MD - Worth a Return Visit
I really like taking a seaside RV trip during the fall. In most places, there's still summer weather without the summer crowds. This years fall trip took us down the tip of the Delmarva peninsula to the Maryland seashore. From our home, its about 300 miles down the I-95 corridor to Wilmington, DE and then south on Rt 1 for another 100 miles through Delaware to the ocean. We arrived at Rehoboth Beach and then followed Rt 1 along the coast going through Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, and then to Ocean City, MD.
Other than Delaware Seashore State Park, its a very developed area. It reminded me a little bit of the northern part of the Outer Banks. Fenwick Island was perhaps the most quaint, but the area south is cluttered with hotels, condo's, eateries, mini golf, and strip malls.
Ocean City was a stay over stop for us on our way for a weeks stay at Assateague Island. I had heard a little bit about Ocean City and wanted to experience the 3 miles long world famous beach side boardwalk. Ocean City is a smaller more summery version of Daytona Beach. It has less high rises and a more small beach town feel to it. It sits on a narrow strip of land and from your car driving down Rt 1 you can see both the ocean side and bay side.
Parking an RV in Ocean City can be a challenge during the summer months. The southern tip of Ocean City has some narrow streets and tight corners. RV's aren't allowed to park on the streets or in the municipal lots between June 1st and September 15th. But October is no problem. We parked in the Park and Ride lot on the mainland off Rt 50 (about 1.5 miles away from the beach). This is a large free parking lot and it has a shuttle bus that runs very 15 minutes that takes you right to the boardwalk at Ocean City. The bus ride is about 15 minutes. The shuttle costs $3 per person and the ticket is good for the entire day.
We spent a couple hours strolling the boardwalk. It's something well worth experiencing. Its a beautiful wide well maintained wooden boardwalk. There's also a paved section that boarders it for bikers and skate boarders. On one side is a wide sandy beach and on the other a continuous string of beach retail shops. It seems like there's a couple of miles is eateries, ice cream stands, tee short shops, tattoo parlors, souvenir shops with some hotels stuck in between. If you're looking for black tee shirts for under $6 or black hoodees for under $9 this is your place. Want some french fries, there's the world famous Thrashers, which there was a long line for . The boardwalk is also lined with benches and people watching is a popular activity. Here's a couple of pictures.
Ocean City Boardwalk
Ocean City has a few fall activities that are very popular. There's the Delmarva Bike Week, Bluegrass by the Bay music festival, the Endless Summer Crusin' car show, and an Oktoberfest. We got to see the Endless Summer Crusin' car show. There were hundreds of hot rods and antique cars on display in the large parking lot by the beach. Here are some pictures.
We stayed at Castaways RV Resort & Campground just 4 miles south of Ocean City on the mainland. Its a very nice upscale RV resort. It sits right on the bay side and has a beach, pool, laundry, fitness center, cafe, cabana bar, store, and free shuttle bus to Ocean City. The sites have plenty of room, are level and well spaced. They're also a bit pricey but have full hookups, cable TV, and free wifi that works. We spent $59 per night for a site just back from the beach with a water view. The premium sites near the water go for $73 per night. 
RV site at Castaway RV Resort
Beachside cabana bar
It must be a real busy place in the peak summer months but Ocean City's fall season has still got great weather without all the crowds and there's plenty to see and do. For me, its worth a return visit.
Follow more of my journeys at: http://jdawgjourneys.blogspot.com
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