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Ocean City

If you can already smell that hand pulled salt water taffy and taste the crisp, buttery caramel popcorn wafting down the boardwalk, then congratulations on reaching your Ocean City vacation destination! This formerly sleepy little fishing town turned favorite resort destination will surely surprise your travel group with its versatility and bountiful treasures! Home to a population of right around 8,000 off peak, this Atlantic gem’s head count grows exponentially with the advent of warmer weather! Weekends, the self-billed “Marlin Capital of the World” hosts nearly 350,000 visitors-with over 8,000,000 arriving annually. Situated on a mile long barrier island, sheltered from major weather events by the North Carolina Outer banks and blessed with a humid-sub-tropical climate, Ocean City enjoys mild winters and hot, humid summers and is the perfect venue for a wide array of mild-to-wild salt-water sports, activities and special events! Shell seekers, beach bums and bunnies alike will enjoy the pristine slice of miles of white sand and find adequate room to toss their towels, plunk down their water bottles and cast off their cares. The Boardwalk, one of the best in the country and officially known as Atlantic Avenue, tenders a kaleidoscope of well-loved eateries, fabulous shopping, entertainment, amusement rides and lodging; it also allows bicycles and roller skates/blades so rent your transportation and work off inevitable caloric splurges! The sleepy sun will eventually set but local activities are unending and fill the night air with the sounds and scents of an Ocean City summer: free concerts, bonfires, movies beneath the stars and even beach olympics extend your lazy, hazy beach boardwalk afternoons!

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Sample Itineraries

Ocean City 3-Day Group Trip

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Ocean City, Maryland, is sometimes overlooked, but always an exciting experience!

    •  Two Nights Lodging
    •  Three Mile Boardwalk
    •  Amusement Park

Attractions

Frontier Town Waterpark

Pioneers traversing the Eastern Seaboard will definitely want to pencil in a little playtime at ace-high Frontier Town Waterpark and Golf, just five minutes away from ever-popular sand and sun destination Ocean City and a stone’s throw from the wonderful, wild and windswept Assateague Island National Seashore. The perfect place to park those wagons and rest your weary tails or just cool off and rustle up some grub, travelers of all ages hightail it to this family-friendly playground-in-a-campground with a distinctly vintage Western theme, where a raft of traditional waterpark attractions, passel of quaint gift shops and a rousing Wild West Show schedule chock-full of authentic action entice overheated cowpokes to tie up their horses, kick off their dusty boots, cast off their cares and jump right in! Red Bird’s Mountain, the Tubin’ Flume Ride, Lazy River and the Waterin’ Hole all provide plenty of good old-fashioned soak and splash time; when was the last time you witnessed a bank hold up and trial, native ceremonial dancing or a gunfight at a waterpark? Pards hankerin’ for a little mini golf will want to mosey over to Cowboy’s well-groomed 18 hole challenge to hone their game. Set back, rest yer doggies a spell and let the younguns kick up their heels; plenty of dining – er, chuck wagon options – threaten to kill the growl in yer bellies with top-notch chow, and clean, cozy bunkhouses, acres of free parking, clean as a whistle bath houses, changing rooms and lockers make for one stress-free poolside rodeo! Get wet – and Western – in one fell swoop at Frontier Town Waterpark and Golf!

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Trimper’s Rides

Groups plotting a fabulous East Coast getaway will definitely want to see a stop at this landmark Ocean Beach Boardwalk attraction at the top of their itinerary. Founded in 1893, Trimper’s Rides welcomes all to a special world of seaside excitement and fun that has long been a tradition in Ocean City. The legendary Trimper Family takes great pride in tendering a fine combination of treasured midway activities and exciting new favorites to all comers to this “big fun” wonder located at the south end of the Boardwalk. Step right up! Whack-a-mole or try your luck with the antique Clown Head Water Balloon Race; test your skills at the Lion Race, Bullseye or everyone’s favorite Frog Bog; snag your travel partners and shoot some hoops, zing a few darts and work the kinks out of your throwing arm with a fastball challenge. Trimper’s offers a fine selection of the best prizes in the industry and special *Winner Every Time* games for the little ones; dozens of mild to wild vintage, kiddie and old-school thrill rides ensure something for every size and fun appetite. Squash a “Whacky Worm,” do some damage in the Bumper Cars, flip for the “Zipper”, stay on top of “The Tidal Wave”, get your freak on on the Freak Out, and rock your socks right off with a turn on the classic “Matterhorn.” Pirate’s Cove Fun House is one of only two Bill-Tracy built walk-throughs left in the world and an absolute Trimper’s must – along with some sticky, pink cotton candy and buttery-fresh popcorn! Mmmm.

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Jolly Rogers Amusement Park

This good-time family fun park on the pier, set against the stunning backdrop of Atlantic sea and sky in Maryland hotspot Ocean City is a must for checklist-driven travelers needing a little down time. Deal of the day: for under 20.00 apiece, you and your group mates can grab a wristband-your ticket to ride yourselves silly from 1-5pm on a classic array of carnival favorites! Enjoy a sweeping view of the park and beach from a teetering seat atop the Giant Ferris Wheel; take a turn on the terrifying Tornado, do the Crazy Dance or test your mettle-and your lungs on everyone’s favorite, the Hurricane! Take a perilous plunge on the Slingshot or “loop-da-loop” on the Looping Rollercoaster-it is what it sounds like! If rides aren’t your bag, Jolly Roger on the pier offers plenty of quintessential midway attractions, activities and tasty delights! Good ol’ games of chance will get you the perfect souvenir if you’re lucky; landmark food stands like Boog’s BBQ and Thrasher’s French Fries will satisfy your savory craves and Kohr’s Brothers will serve up a frozen custard to make your teeth tingle! Let go and let the sights and sounds, lights, music and lapping waves sweep you up in that magical boardwalk atmosphere by the sea!

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Ice Rink Carousel

Join in the frozen fun at Ocean City, Maryland’s only ice skating rink! Enchanting daily shows encourage you to get out on the ice and test your own skills; friendly, helpful staff provide beginners plenty of assistance! An adjacent game room offers vending machines, video games, pool tables and pinball to keep your mind and hands engaged while you catch your breath and rest your ankles before your next turn on the ice; Cozy Brass Ring Bistro serves up smoothies, hot chocolate, coffee, lattes and all your favorite café treats-perfect, apres-skate! This well-maintained rink is open year-round to Carousel Resort Guests and non-guests, alike; where else can you go from building sand-castles in the warm sun to an ice castle atmosphere in the same afternoon? Kick off your flip-flops, grab your group and enjoy Atlantic Ocean-front ice skating at its finest!

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Old Pro Golf

Gregarious groups on Ocean City holiday will want to check out family-owned-and-operated, local favorite Old Pro Golf, founded almost 50 years ago by owners Herbert J. and Aileen “Deany” Schoellkopf. Old Pro currently offers devotees of the game in search four uniquely creative and challenging Ocean City locations: Temple of the Dragon Mini Golf on 23rd Street; Renaissance Castle Mini Golf on 28th Street; indoor Undersea Adventure, Family Arcade and Prehistoric Dinosaur Mini Golf on 68th Street, and indoor course Safari Village, Family Arcade and Caribbean Pirates Mini Golf on 136th Street. Each fabulously *imagineered* course offers guests a wildly elaborate themed playing experience chock full of fascinating mechanized figures and obstacles, truly creative hole design and fabulously extensive use of water and landscaping-all elements well integrated and theme-consistent, contributing to one fine miniature golf adventure, indoor or out! Beat the heat or soak up the sun-the choice is yours-have a ball!

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Life Saving Station

The “Ocean City Life Saving Station,” part of the Coastal System established by the United States Treasury Department for the saving of vessels in distress and lives in peril on the waters, was actively used by the U.S. Coast guard until 1964. After years of service and subsequent alternate duty as a town hall of sorts, and having fallen into a state of disrepair, the building was slated for demolition. A group of concerned citizens rallied round and formed The Ocean Museum Society; they managed to raise the adequate funds to salvage the building, which was moved to its present location at the extreme southern end of the Boardwalk, overlooking the Inlet and Assateague Island. The old station house was meticulously restored and official dedication as a museum commenced Christmas Day, 1978. Visitors to Ocean City’s tidy seaside showplace will experience, while wandering amongst the museum’s permanent collections and special exhibits, a fascinating history of metamorphosis from a small fishing town to a favorite world-class resort destination. Experience all the magic and wonder of the Ocean City Boardwalk of yesteryear as you chuckle with Laughing Sal and Bruno; let your imagination run wild as you encounter artifacts recovered from tragic wreckage of vessels long lost at sea; slip into the briny deep of the waters just offshore and meet an ever-changing menagerie of indigenous marine life with a visit to the Aquarium Room.

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Fun City

Situated mid-Boardwalk in Ocean City, Fun City Arcade is a first-rate, family oriented entertainment gallery featuring a fantastic variety of all the latest video and arcade games-tons of fun for all ages; expect plenty of prizes when you cash in at the awesome redemption center! Bum some quarters or change out a few bills , grab your travel buddies, duck inside and get your game on in the classically cool, perfectly noisy atmosphere of an old-school arcade. Bonus? No tokens to clunk around in your pockets once you leave!

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Ocean City Beach

Ocean City BeachGroups of globetrotters planning a grand East Coast holiday will be happy to find to find a trip to this popular Maryland sun and sand center – the pride of the good people of Ocean City – on their itinerary; its spotless boardwalks and ten miles of clean, warm beach unfailingly attract hordes of visitors in search of the quintessential Eastern Seaboard experience. Shell-seekers, sand-castle architects, sun worshippers, Frisbee addicts, people watchers, bookworms and beach bums and bunnies will all enjoy the pristine slice of miles of white sand and find plenty of room to toss their towels, plunk down their water bottles and cast off their cares. The Boardwalk, one of the finest in the Country and officially known as Atlantic Avenue, is an unbelievable kaleidoscope of well-loved eateries, fabulous shopping and entertainment, fairway amusement and even lodging; bicycles, horses and skates/blades are welcome – rent your wheels and get a great work out while burning off those inevitable yummy splurges of Maryland crab cakes and legs, Delmarva Fried Chicken, Thrasher’s Fries, luscious salt water taffy, rich, creamy fudge and ice cream and more! Sleepy Ol’ Sol will eventually kick off his flipflops and tuck into bed, but local activities are unending and fill the night air with the sweetly nostalgic sounds and scents of an Ocean City Summer: free concerts, bonfires and movies beneath the stars extend your lazy, hazy Ocean Beach day. A nice surprise? Beach access is absolutely free, open to the public from six a.m. to ten p.m.

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Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Escape artists plotting an East Coast getaway won’t want to bypass this time-honored area tradition, established way back in 1918! Ripley’s Believe it or Not boasts not one, but three amazing attractions in Ocean City – all part of the same frighteningly fun and funky experience visitors have come to expect from this legendary purveyor of all things weird, wild, wacky and wonderful. The Ripley’s Odditorium features twelve themed galleries in 10,000 square feet on two floors – over 500 exhibits dead certain to tickle your fancy and trip that terror trigger! Wander the works; you’ll encounter authentic shrunken heads and cannibal skulls, the world’s rarest egg, the “original” chicken with its head cut off – he lived for 18 months before passing to the other side of the road – and unfortunately awkward two-headed animals as you explore this hallowed hall of the mind-blowing and macabre. A turn through Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze lets you lose – and find – and lose – wait; find – yourself in a labyrinth of mirrors and flashing LED lights – the better to confuse you; reward yourself for escaping with your sanity intact with something sinfully sweet from the Candy Factory located just inside the Maze. Feeling extra-evasive and energetic? Navigate larger-than-life-sized interactive optical illusions – and Odditorium’s truly weird staff – or dive into a pulsating web of brilliant green lasers, dodging over and darting under at lightning speed without breaking a single beam to reach the end of the gauntlet! Grab your group and get ready to experience serious sensory overload in the wide world of weirdness that is Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Ocean City!

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Assateague Island

Assateague Ponies on the beachGroups embarking on East Coast hiatus won’t want to miss this legendary destination, one of America’s last fully functioning barrier island ecosytems. Assateague Island’s beloved beaches, wildlife, dunes, wetlands and marsh islands are administered by three official park agencies to provide for recreational use and enjoyment consistent with the perpetuation and maintenance of the seashore’s natural environment; the island is eternally uninhabited – a gloriously untouched haven – with the northern tip a Maryland state park, and the remainder of the Maryland section the beautiful Assateague Island National Seashore, world famous for the colorful bands of wild ponies that have roamed the area for hundreds of years, enchanting visitors with their sometimes fleeting, always delightful presence. A wildlife watcher’s and nature lover’s paradise, the island hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna – including over 320 species of birds who nest and rest there – affording them vital support and peaceful refuge amongst its 41,000+ acres of windswept beaches, waters and woods – the perfect year-round venue for your Maryland travel group’s favorite outdoor activities. Jump on an ATV or kick off your shoes and explore the dunes, bike endless windswept trails, comb the vast expanses of inviting, white sand for priceless treasures, clam, fish or crab for your dinner, arrange a custom sunset cruise or pony-spotting trip, or hop in your own kayak and paddle through the unspoiled splendor of miles of scenic waterways. Be sure to visit the candy-striped lighthouse located on the Virginia portion of the island – one of the most impressive historic landmarks on the Eastern Seaboard!

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