10 of the best things to do in Ocean City, NJ

Ocean City is the place to be if you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly beach vacation in New Jersey. This resort town is a popular weekend getaway from New York. This resort town is packed with attractions for visitors of all ages and enough enchanting accommodations to up the charm factor.
Known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” Ocean City is less chaotic than neighboring Atlantic City—a good thing for those who enjoy a less frenetic pace. In this dry city (no alcohol is served here), you don’t have to worry about midnight parties disturbing your sleep or bothering people on the boardwalk at night.
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways to have fun. From surf spots to theme park trips to great beaches, Ocean City is one of the best places to visit in New Jersey. The Boardwalk is a hub of excitement at all hours of the day, with plenty of shops to entice those looking for a little retail therapy.

1. Dig your feet into the sand at Ocean City Beach

Ocean City Beach has eight miles of clean, sugar-white sand for visitors to enjoy during their stay. This long stretch of coastline is divided into several sections and is considered one of the best beaches in New Jersey for good reason. You can do all kinds of beach fun here, like swimming, building sandcastles, and surfing (at the beaches south of Waverly Boulevard, 16th Street, and 36th Street). Beaches will be patrolled early Memorial Day weekend, so you can be sure your kids are safe.

2. Shop, play and dine on the Ocean City Boardwalk

More than two miles of fun and endless activities await visitors at the Ocean City Boardwalk, this seaside resort’s best and most famous attraction. Walk, run or bike along this beloved boardwalk, a main route for beachgoers. It offers plenty of people-watching opportunities and even more opportunities to buy everything from cool tourist clothes to sunscreen and jewelry.
Looking for more action? Ride the Ferris Wheel at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier; play miniature golf at Congo Falls Adventure Golf; or rent a bike, kayak or surfboard from one of the local shops lining the boardwalk.
When hunger strikes, you’re in for a treat—literally. There are several restaurants on site that offer everything from sweet treats (fried Oreos, candy and frozen custard) to pizza. If you travel off-season, no problem. The Boardwalk is still here (obviously) and many of its shops, restaurants and entertainment venues are still open, but with limited hours. Plus, visiting Ocean City in the spring, fall and winter means great deals and the best hotel rooms.

3. Play all day at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier

It’s impossible to miss Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, home to the iconic giant wheel, the aptly named Ferris Wheel. The castle-like structure of the main building, topped with bright red towers, also helps mark this amusement park as a walking attraction.
One of Ocean City’s best places for families. The rides at this 70-year-old facility are aimed at a younger crowd. Dune wagons, swings, bumper cars, a log tube and a tilting vortex will have your kids begging for “one more ride.” Fortunately, they are reasonably priced, so you can easily say yes to a third or even fourth trip.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is open weekends until Memorial Day, when daily summer hours begin.

4. Get excited at Playland’s Castaway Cove

If you haven’t had enough excitement at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, fear not! Playland’s Castaway Cove is sure to win your heart. It is home to over 32 rides, including roller coasters, a Double Shot drop, a miniature goof and micro cars. You will never get bored visiting this fascinating place.
This most popular attraction is one of Ocean City’s oldest amusement parks, which means it’s been around long enough (over 60 years) to know how to thrill and entertain visitors. There are also plenty of family-friendly rides, so it’s the perfect place for those who want their thrills a little slower and closer to the ground.

5. Relax on the beach at Corson Inlet State Park

The 341-acre preserve is a quick 14-minute drive south of Ocean City. Called Corson Inlet State Park, it has a wide pristine beach, sand dunes and plenty of places to try your luck at fishing.
You have to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot to get to the park’s Front Beach, so don’t pack too much for a day at the beach – you’ll have to carry it back too. As you explore the pristine sand dunes (which serve as nesting sites for endangered birds like the plover), you’ll appreciate your journey through the winding roads.

6. Learn U.S. Heroes 30 from the rescue station

It takes a certain kind of person to dedicate their life to saving others. In an American lifeboat station. 30, visitors can learn all about the heroic “surfers” who helped rescue stranded sailors and others who got into trouble on the Jersey Shore.
The restored bright yellow building now serves as a museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the important tasks of those surfers, but its most important function was as a lifeguard station. Today, visitors can step back in time to learn about the crew, travelers and surfers who roamed the area in the early 1900s. Artifacts, photos and displays allow them to learn more about life in the building, which was also known as US Coast Guard Station #126.

7. Experience the magic of Wovern Place

Shh! We’re about to introduce you to one of our favorite hidden gems in Ocean City, but you must promise not to tell anyone. It’s small, a little difficult to find, and so cute you’ll want to take tons of photos. We don’t want it to be filled with tourists, the most important thing is that it’s a neighborhood where real people live.

Also known as “Dollhouse Row,” this charming street is lined with nine of the cutest houses you’ll find in New Jersey, and possibly the Northeast Coast. It’s hidden among streets filled with larger, more modern homes that are far less enchanting, so you can blink and miss it—literally.

8. See a Performance at Ocean City Music Pier

A massive fire destroyed the boardwalk in 1927, leading to the construction of a concert hall to reward the community. Dedicated on Independence Day in 1929, the Music Pier has been an important entertainment institution ever since. Over the years, it has been upgraded with top-of-the-line lighting and audio, as well as a larger stage.

It’s here that locals and tourists gather to be serenaded by orchestras, pumped up by rockers, and transported back in time with tribute bands. The city’s best-known band, the Ocean City Pops, is a frequent performer on this historic stage, especially between July and August.

Official site: https://www.ocnj.us/music-pier

9. Catch a Show at the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company

The Greater Ocean City Theater Company is another must-visit for those who enjoy entertainment. Created to bring professional theater to this part of the Jersey Shore, the OCTC (as it’s known locally) is a non-profit organization determined to grow the city’s arts scene.

Each year, the OCTC offers three to five concerts. Fans of teamwork, OCTC staffers have joined forces to partner with the renowned Ocean City Pops to present collaborative shows throughout the summer. Dance performances and concerts are also offered to theater-goers.

Official site: https://oceancitytheatrecompany.com/

10. Go Shopping at Stainton’s Gallery of Shops

Whether you’re itching to shop or need an escape from inclement weather, Staunton’s will fit the proverbial bill. One of the few popular establishments located just off the Boardwalk, this gallery of shops is home to 70 eclectic spaces located on the ground floor of a downtown building.

Inside, you’ll find a wide range of items on sale including crafts, jewelry, furniture, toys, clothing, and art. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to meet the artisan who made the piece you want to take home as a souvenir.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for when you arrive, all the better! Something unique will surely beg you to add it to your collection. Looking for Seafood Serving Tray? There are many. Need a new crab-embellished pillow? They’ve got that too. They’re open until 7pm in the summer and 6pm in the off-season.

Official site: https://staintons.com/about