Ocean City, New Jersey calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort” for a reason. It offers luxurious seaside resorts, exciting theme parks and sandy beaches, making it a perfect getaway for a family vacation. If you and your family need help with planning your summer bucket lists because you can’t decide between these options, this article has you covered.
Sunrises and sunsets at Ocean City aren’t like others. They feature the calming sound of waves, salty air and a colorful sky. So, watching them is one of the essential things to do in OCNJ in the summer. While on your summer vacation, you’ll want to maximize your experiences by picking the perfect spots to view them.
Some of the best places to watch the sunrise are:
If you want to catch the sunset, you can watch it at these spots:
Right inside Ocean City’s Boardwalk is Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an integral part of the Boardwalk’s history. The park opened in 1930 after a fire on the Boardwalk. Its main attractions were a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. Since then, the park has added 25 rides whose ticket prices differ. The rides are mostly tailored for children, but other ages are included too.
Visitors’ favorite rides include the carousel, which was constructed in the 1900s and continues to amaze children. Or, the whole family can make a big splash on the Canyon Falls Log Flume ride.
The park is on the Ocean City Boardwalk in the middle of the 6th and 7th Streets. It operates daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On crowded days, it opens earlier.
The Ocean City Music Pier was constructed in 1928 to create a new concert hall for the community after the old one was destroyed in the 1927 Boardwalk fire.
It was dedicated on July 4, 1929. The Music Pier has always been an Ocean City destination, entertaining crowds twice a day, seven days a week, with the Municipal Orchestra.
Add a visit to the music pier to your summer things to do and get to see a wide variety of shows, such as comedy, musicals and soloists, who have opened the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. Nationally renowned musicians sometimes make appearances at the Music Pier, which is also home to various pageants, such as the Miss New Jersey pageant.
The Ocean City Pops Orchestra presents a summer concert series running from July through October, featuring the orchestra’s beautiful music.
Jersey is known for its produce, which you can find at a local farmers market in Ocean City. Include going to one in your Ocean City, New Jersey bucket list, and you’ll find many things to draw your attention, such as local businesses, artists and artisans who display their products and even give you a chance to sample them.
You’ll also sometimes find music. The farmers market usually starts on Wednesday mornings around Memorial weekend through September.
Walking up and down the Boardwalk under the summer sun, you might crave an ice cream cone, milkshake, sundae or float. Luckily, the Boardwalk has plenty of options, from old-school family-owned and operated ice cream parlors to frozen custards and malts. In addition to ice cream, you might find stands offering lemonade, slushies or shaved ice to keep you cool.
One way to make the most of Ocean City’s breezes and stunning views is to go for a bike ride. Exploring Ocean City’s attractions, such as the Boardwalk, on a bike means you can take in more of the sights.
You could rent a cruiser bike or bring your own — or for an adventure, try a tandem bicycle with the family. However, it’s essential to ensure you check biking hours in the summer before you go for a ride. Bikers can mostly ride the Boardwalk from 5 a.m. until noon. Bikes are generally not allowed on the boardwalk past noon, and riders must stay in designated biking lanes.
The Boardwalk is one of the Jersey Shore’s most famous and popular destinations. It runs about 2 ½ miles along the beach. The original Boardwalk was constructed in 1902. However, it burned down along with much of the city in 1927 and the current one was built immediately after.
So, as you’re exploring it, you’ll also be able to pick up some history. Here’s one fun fact you can share with the family — the Trimper’s carousel, which has been around since 1912, is the longest-running carousel in the United States.
There are several amenities around the Boardwalk, including hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts. There’s also a variety of food to enjoy, including popcorn, funnel cakes and taffy, to name a few.
The Boardwalk is a family-friendly environment, so you can feel secure enjoying the sights with your kids into the night.
You can find the Ocean City Boardwalk on Wesley Avenue, starting on 1st Street and ending on 23rd Street. It is always open, but its various attractions have different schedules.
If you’re a surfer, add visiting one of OCNJ’s designated surfing beaches to your beach bucket list. Those designated beaches include the 7th Street and Waverly Boulevard beaches. Check the weather to see if the waves are favorable for surfing during your trip. If you need equipment, you can rent surfboards, paddleboards and kayaks at various shops along the beach. If you’re a beginner, some of these shops offer lessons.
Now that you have a list of fun things to add to your Ocean City bucket list, start planning your trip today. This article is a great place to start, but if you need further assistance, you can request a free visitor’s guide from us today.
