Where to Stay in Ocean City, Maryland (Best Places & Areas)

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I live in Washington, DC, but I spend time in Ocean City, Maryland, at least twice a year. My fiancé and I often vacation here for a long weekend in the winter and a week in the summer.

There’s so much to do in this popular beach destination for couples, families, and groups of friends. By staying Downtown close to the inlet, you’ll be close to all the action. It’s the area I recommend for first-time visitors. Here, you can stay at Park Place Hotel, where you can walk right out to the beach and boardwalk.

Although Ocean City, Maryland, is small in area, it packs in plenty of attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops. Keep reading to check out my recommendations for the best areas to stay along with helpful mini guides.

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Best Places to Stay in Ocean City, Maryland

If you’re short on time, these are my top hotel picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Park Place Hotel
• 📍 Best Location – Park Place Hotel
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Ashore Resort & Beach Club
• 👪 Best for Families – Francis Scott Key Family Resort
• 💻 Best for Business – Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City/Bayfront – Convention Center
• 🔔 Best Boutique – Lighthouse Club Hotel
• ⛱️ Best Near the Boardwalk – Hyatt Place Ocean City Oceanfront
• 🌊 Best Oceanfront – DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area of Ocean City: 

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Ocean City

Ocean City is located on a barrier island off the eastern coast of Maryland. The island is long and narrow, running about 10 miles long and just a few blocks wide. While it may be small in area, it’s packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions. Ocean City itself is broken down into four main areas.

Downtown Ocean City

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Ocean City Hotels: Park Place Hotel • Hyatt Place Ocean City Oceanfront • Courtyard by Marriott Ocean City Oceanfront

Downtown Ocean City is home to the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. The boardwalk runs from the inlet for 3 miles, ending at 27th Street. It features plenty of restaurants, bars, beachy food stands, and tourist shops. The end near the inlet also has a small amusement park with rides and games.

The beach and boardwalk are two of the busiest places in Ocean City, especially during the summer. Staying in Downtown Ocean City is an excellent option if you want the authentic beach experience.

Hotels on the boardwalk, like Park Place Hotel (my #1 pick!) and Hyatt Place Ocean City Oceanfront, not only offer ocean views, but the ability to walk right out onto the boardwalk and beach.

This area is ideal if you’re visiting Ocean City for the first time and want to be around all the famous attractions and the beach. It’s also great for families who don’t want to wrangle kids into the car for their daily beach trip. 

Pros of Staying in Downtown Ocean City:

• Nearby the beach and boardwalk
• Walkable to restaurants, bars, and attractions
• Won’t need to park to visit popular locations

Cons of Staying in Downtown Ocean City:

• Busy area, both day and night
• Hotels can be pricey, especially during the summer

Midtown Ocean City

👉 Best Area For Nightlife & Lively Atmosphere | ✨ Best Midtown Ocean City Hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront • Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City/Bayfront – Convention Center • Aloft Ocean City

Midtown Ocean City runs from 28th Street to the Route 90 Bridge. This area hosts many of Ocean City’s bars, restaurants, and nightlife clubs. Many of these attractions are located on Assawoman Bay, which offers waterfront dining and beautiful sunset views.

Famous nightclubs like Seacrets, Jamaica USA, and Fagers Island are located in Midtown Ocean City. Seacrets also has the only distillery in Worcester County, where you can sample rum during a Prohibition-inspired tour.

This area has plenty of waterfront hotels on the bay and the ocean, so you can wake up to water views. Hotels like DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront, often still have beach access. And because the beaches are away from the boardwalk, they aren’t as crowded.

The Hampton Inn & Suites has bay views and is a close walk to the convention center and nightlife attractions.

Midtown is great for couples and groups of friends who are looking for more evening and night activities. However, there are still plenty of options for families.

Pros of Staying in Midtown Ocean City:

• Plenty of nightlife and restaurant options
• Beachfront and bayfront attractions, restaurants, and hotels
• Close to the convention center

Cons of Staying in Midtown Ocean City:

• Further from the boardwalk
• Can be rowdier at night

North Ocean City

👉 Best Area For A Quiet Stay | ✨ Best North Ocean City Hotels: Fenwick Inn • Ashore Resort & Beach Club • Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums

North Ocean City starts at the Route 90 Bridge and ends at the Delaware state line. It tends to be a quieter area with more condos where some full-time residents live. While there are many condos, there are still plenty of hotels, like the Ashore Resort & Beach Club, which offers a luxurious place to stay and some fun for kids and families.

The area does have a few restaurants and bars to hang out at. However, the overall vibe of the area is much quieter and a little less lively than more southern areas of the island. It’s a little further from popular attractions, like the boardwalk. But attractions are still easily accessible since the island is small.

Pros of Staying in North Ocean City:

• A quieter area of the island
• Close to Delaware beaches
• Many condo options

Cons of Staying in North Ocean City:

• Far from the boardwalk
• Can feel a bit residential

West Ocean City

👉 Best Area For Water and Nature Fun | ✨ Best West Ocean City Hotels: Francis Scott Key Family Resort • Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City West • Hotel Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ocean City

West Ocean City is a growing area just over the Route 50 Bridge. It’s separated from Ocean City, the island, which gives it a quieter feel. It’s ideal if you want to stay away from some of the chaos and commotion of the main parts of the city but still want to enjoy water and nature activities.

Although it’s away from the beach and boardwalk, Francis Scott Key Family Resort is the best for families because it has multiple pools, mini golf, an on-site restaurant, an arcade, and sports courts, so there are plenty of activities for kids. Plus, there’s a free shuttle to the beach, so you’ll still get to visit the boardwalk with ease.

If you enjoy boating, fishing, or other watersports, West Ocean City is a great option. The area is home to marinas and boat ramps to store and launch your boat. Many boating tours depart from West Ocean City. Assateague Island is also nearby, ideal if you like to camp.

There are many restaurants in the area, including second locations of some of the more popular spots, such as Bad Monkey. Tanger Outlets are nearby so you can do some shopping, too.

Pros of Staying in West Ocean City:

• Quieter area
• A more spread-out, suburban-like feel
• Good for water and nature activities

Cons of Staying in West Ocean City:

• Have to drive into Ocean City
• Not very walkable or many options

Tips for Staying in Ocean City

Stay Along Coastal Highway

If you want to be close to the beach and around most attractions, book a hotel around Coastal Highway. If the hotel is oceanfront, you can walk out to the beach from the hotel. However, if it’s not oceanfront but still along Coastal Highway, you’ll only be about a block from the sand.

Take the Bus When Possible

Parking can be difficult, and rideshares can be scarce. Instead, try to take the bus when you can, especially to popular destinations like the boardwalk, to avoid having to park. The bus—or walking—can be a better option if you’re planning on a night of going out or drinking.

Check for Events

Ocean City hosts lots of events throughout the year, including a car cruise and a music festival. These weekends are especially busy, drawing big crowds and often raising hotel prices. Similarly, the informal “senior week” has seniors from around Maryland staying at the beach throughout June.

Consider the Off-Season

Of course, summer is going to draw the most crowds to the beach. But if you want a quieter visit, spend the off-season (October to March) at the beach. Hotels tend to be a lot cheaper, which means you can stay in luxury for less. However, some restaurants, attractions, and spots on the boardwalk will be closed.

Spend the Day at Assateague Island

During your stay, you should spend a day on Assateague Island. It’s a beautiful, nature-focused beach that’s a bit quieter than Ocean City’s beaches. You can relax while you see wild horses roaming the grounds. You can also camp on Assateague Beach.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Ocean City for first-timers?

Staying in Downtown Ocean City is definitely the best place to stay for first-time visitors. It’s within walking distance of the boardwalk, which has great attractions and restaurants. Downtown Ocean City also has plenty of ocean-front hotels, so you can walk right out to the beach.

Another great area to stay is Midtown Ocean City. It’s still close enough to the boardwalk and attractions that you can walk. Midtown hotels are also close to many of the nightlife options and other restaurants and bars.

What are safe areas to stay in Ocean City?

Ocean City, overall, is relatively safe. Tourists and visitors don’t typically have to worry about crime, so you should feel safe to stay in all areas of Ocean City.

What are the best parts of Ocean City to stay on a budget?

Midtown Ocean City and North Ocean have more affordable options. In general, the further from the inlet in Downtown Ocean City you are, the less expensive the hotels are. You may also want to stay in Ocean City during the off-season, which can help bring down the price.

How many days is best for Ocean City?

You can definitely stay in Ocean City for a weekend or a long weekend. If you’re looking to just relax on the beach for a few days, three days will be sufficient. It’s a great day trip from Washington DC. If you’re looking for a classic beach vacation, opt for at least a week.

***

When it comes to where to stay in Ocean City, you can rarely go wrong. While each part has its positives of being close to attractions, the island is small enough to enjoy in full, no matter where you stay.