Getting There

By Car -- Route 50 goes right to Ocean City. To reach the southern end of town, continue on Route 50 to the bridge that enters O.C. at Caroline Street. For those staying at 60th Street or above, take Route 90 and cross the bridge at 62nd Street. An alternative route (but only one lane each way) is to turn on Route 404 East just past Queenstown; follow it into Delaware. Turn south onto Route 113 South. Route 26 East connects with Bethany. Turn south on Route 1 to Ocean City. Or take Route 54 to Fenwick to Route 1. However you get here, avoid Route 1 in Rehoboth -- especially on summer weekends, when traffic slows to a frustrating crawl most of the day. Tip: New in 2005: Call tel. 877/BAYSPAN on your way to the Bay Bridge for up-to-date traffic reports.

By Plane -- The Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, 30 minutes west of Ocean City, near Salisbury (tel. 410/548-4827), handles nonstop commuter flights to and from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia via US Airways Express (tel. 800/428-4322). Private planes also fly into that airport, as well as Ocean City Municipal Airport, 3 miles west of town off Route 611 (tel. 410/213-2471).

Car rentals are available from Avis (tel. 410/742-8566) and Hertz (tel. 410/749-2235), both at the Wicomico Regional Airport.

By Bus -- Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222) has daily service into Ocean City from points north and south, with nonstop buses from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Salisbury. Buses stop at Second Street and Philadelphia Avenue (tel. 410/289-9307).

Visitor Information

The Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau operates a visitor center in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Hwy., at 40th Street, bay side (tel. 800/OC-OCEAN or 410/289-8181). Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

If you're heading into town from Route 50, stop at the information center run by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, routes 707 and 50, 1 1/2 miles from Ocean City (tel. 888/OCMD-FUN or 410/213-0552). It's a great place to pick up brochures and coupons for everything from restaurants to miniature golf. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Tip: If you have only 1 night to stay at the beach, check with the staff at either center. Although most hotels advertise 2- or 3-night minimum stays on weekend, the staff here can probably find you accommodations.

Look for coupons and event schedules in Ocean City Visitors Guide, Sunny Day, Beachcomber, and Beach Guide, available in restaurants, stores, hotels, and real-estate offices.

Getting Around

By Bus -- In peak season, when parking can be difficult, the bus is the fastest and most convenient way to get around. Buses run 24 hours a day year-round. They follow one route, from the Delaware border south along Coastal Highway to the inlet, returning north along Baltimore Street and Coastal Highway. In summer, buses run every 10 minutes; from October 20 to Memorial Day, they run every half-hour. The fare is $2 for a 24-hour period; exact change is required. For information, contact the Ocean City Transportation Department, 66th Street, bay side (tel. 410/723-1607).

A Park & Ride Lot, on Route 50 in West Ocean City (on the western side of the bridge), has free parking. Visitors can board a shuttle to South Division Street near the inlet, to either spend the day there or catch a bus to other O.C. destinations. It costs $1 for the whole day.

By Boardwalk Tram -- The tram travels 2 1/2 miles from the inlet north to 27th Street, stopping for passengers who signal the driver to pick them up. In summer, it runs every 10 minutes from 7am to midnight daily. On weekends from Easter to May, and in September and October, it runs every 15 minutes. To get off, raise your hand and the tram will stop. The fare is $2.50 one-way. It's great for parents with tired children -- and a good way for first-time visitors to become familiar with the boardwalk.

By Taxi -- Taxi service has expanded in recent years -- serving those who've had too much to drink as well as non-drivers. Among the growing number of services are BayShore (tel. 443/783-2911) and Eastern Shore Taxi (tel. 443/744-4497).

Parking -- Parking is difficult, particularly at the height of the season. Most public facilities, such as shopping centers and restaurants, offer free parking for patrons. There are also eight public lots, mostly around the southern end of Ocean City. The meters must be fed $1.25 an hour, but there are change machines at several lots: Worcester Street; Somerset Street and Baltimore Avenue; Dorchester Street and Baltimore Avenue; North Division Street and Baltimore Avenue; and Fourth Street and Baltimore Avenue. These, as well as on-street meters, must be fed 24 hours a day between April 15 and October 15. They're free at other times. The largest public lot is the Hugh T. Cropper parking lot at the inlet, with 1,200 paid spaces. The first 30 minutes here are free; then the rate is $1 an hour, $1.50 on weekends. If you plan to park here for nighttime activities, be aware that hundreds of other people will have the same idea -- and the wait to get in the lot, and later to get out, can be long.

Orientation

Ocean City stretches for 10 miles, with one main north-south thoroughfare, Coastal Highway. It becomes two one-way streets at around 32nd Street: Philadelphia goes south, Baltimore heads north. Cross streets are designated by numbers (from 1st to 145th), with numbers decreasing to the south. It's vital to know the cross street when looking for a shop or restaurant (though if you have a street address, the first two numbers usually tell you the cross street). Attractions and businesses on the cross streets are designated as either ocean side (east of Coastal Hwy.) or bay side (west of Coastal Hwy.). If you see an address that says Atlantic Avenue, that means it's oceanfront.

Special Events

Ocean City's party atmosphere is enhanced by festivals throughout the year; below is just a selection of the largest and most popular.

Everybody in O.C. is Irish on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. Every year, more and more people decide this is the place for the "wearin' of the green." The 4-day Springfest, held the first week of May, brings crafts, music, and food to the inlet parking lot. Lots of businesses open now, as O.C. prepares for summer. The Arts Alive festival, held the first week of June, features a juried fine-art exhibit and sale, along with music and food. It takes place at the Northside Park at 127th Street and the bay.

On the Fourth of July, some 300,000 people crowd into Ocean City. Fireworks over Assawoman Bay top off the family-style picnic held at Northside Park beginning at 1pm. A second fireworks display takes place at North Division Street, at the south end of the boardwalk. Festivities begin with a concert at 8pm; fireworks begin at both locations at 9:30pm.

The White Marlin Open is usually held the first full week in August. Some 400 boats register for this annual fishing expedition. The top prize goes for the biggest white marlin, but there are other prizes for blue marlin, tuna, and shark. In 2005, the purse was set at $1.64 million. If you want to see what all the fuss is about (without actually fishing yourself), stop by the Harbor Island Marina on the bay side for the weigh-ins every night from 4 to 9pm. They reel in some whoppers. Note: This is not a good week to charter a fishing boat for any other fishing, as all boats are occupied. If you really want to fish, you might have a better chance of finding a boat in Lewes.

The 4-day Sunfest festival, held the third week of September, officially ends the summer season with crafts, music, and food at the inlet. From mid-November to New Year's, holiday displays make up the Winterfest of Lights. The first takes place at the inlet, where you can drive among the lit displays. The second takes place in Northside Park. For $3 for those 12 and older, you can ride the tram through the light displays and then stop to see Santa, have hot chocolate, and browse the gift shop.