Ocean City Air Show - Raptor

You don’t want to miss the Ocean City, Maryland Air Show to be held on June 5th & 6th, 2010. I can’t say enough about how much I have enjoyed the dazzling air displays held here at the Beach. I sit on the boardwalk around 17th Street (the central location for all activity), and watch with amazement as military jet demonstrations like “The Thunderbirds” perform.  As well as parachuting teams, formation flying teams, and much more.

Oh, and don’t forget, Saturday night (June 5th), the U.S. Navy Seals Leap Frogs, do a night jump onto the beach, right in the middle of a super fun beach party. Check it out!!!

Cruisin' Ocean City, Md.

Come on down the beach May 20- 23, 2010 and check out “Cruisin’ Ocean City”.  This popular car show features over 3,000 hot  rods, customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars and more.  There is live entertainment, celebrity guests, special attractions, boardwalk parades, manufacturers vendor midway and more.

It’s held at the Convention Center on 40th Street & the Inlet parking lot. This year some special guests are scheduled to appear.  Henry Winkler,  the “Fonz”, Cruisin Gold Deejay Mike Wilson, Celebrity Stars Deejay Tim Beasley and more.

The Boardwalk parades are scheduled at 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. So many things to see and do, so make sure you cruise on down to Ocean City, Maryland for the 20th Annual Cruisin Ocean City.

Get a Birds-Eye View of OC on a Plane Ride - See the sites of Ocean City from a whole new vantage point-the sky.  Air tours provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience and spectacular views of the ocean and pieces of land that make up Ocean City. Choose between a bi-plane with an open cockpit or a traditional enclosed cockpit tour.  Either way, it is sure to be a thrilling experience.  All tours operate out the Ocean City Airport.

Eat Candy – You can’t leave town without indulging your sweet tooth at Ocean City’s many mouth-watering candy shops.  Saltwater taffy is a classic beach treat and can be found all over the boardwalk.  But you’ll also find many other delicious treats, like fudge, sundaes, gummies, rock candy, caramel corn and much more.

Build a Sandcastle - The art of sandcastle building has progressed way past digging a hole in the sand and calling it a mote.  Sand sculpting is a venerable art form, with professional artists creating such unbelievable shapes and figures that you forget it is beach sand at all.  There are several Ocean City sculptors who occasionally create masterpieces right by the boardwalk for visitors to admire.  But why not make your own masterpiece?  Get the whole family involved and you’ve got a full day of fun.  Just watch out when the tide’s coming in.

Play Golf – Some of the finest golf courses on the East Coast are just minutes away from downtown Ocean City.  Big-name course designers and beautiful surroundings have made this region one of the fastest growing golfing destinations in the country.  Since it is popular, remember to make you tee-time well in advance.

Relax at a Spa – What better time to treat your body right than on vacation?  Pamper yourself at one of the many area spas offering skin and body treatments, massage, sunless tanning, facials, manicures and pedicures.  You’ll be looking and feeling beautiful (and relaxed) in no time.

Walk the Boardwalk (my personal favorite) – Fun, colorful and full of sights, sounds and smells, the Ocean City Boardwalk is an exciting place, and one of America’s most treasured beachfront destinations.  Whether you’re on your way to the rides or the beach, a walk along the boardwalk is one of the quintessential parts of a beach vacation.  Grab some ice cream along the way and do some people-watching, or just walk hand-in-hand with your sweetheart like couples have done for dozens of years.

Watch the Sunset – It’s a simple pleasure, but a prolonged sunset over the bay is one of the greatest joys of an Ocean City vacation.  Grab dinner and some cocktails at one of the bayside restaurants and stay until it’s dark.  Or opt for a sunset cruise out onto the ocean and you can watch the sun set behind the hotels that line the beach.

Ride a Roller Coaster – From smooth, easy rides for the whole family to the twisting and turning of the more intense coasters, Ocean City has a ride that can put a smile (and maybe a scream!) on anybody’s face.  On the boardwalk and beyond are multiple amusement parks with rides to make you dizzy, scared, exhilarated or maybe even soaking wet.  Adults and kids alike can revel in the good old-fashioned entertainment of genuine thrills.

Visit a Museum – While it may seem counterintuitive on a beach vacation, sometimes heading indoors for an afternoon can be quite rewarding.  That is certainly the case if that afternoon happens to be spent in one of Ocean City’s unique museums.  From the bizarre exhibits at Ripley’s to the historic artifacts at the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, to the world famous Ward Museum, there are plenty of exciting stories just waiting to be heard.  Check event schedules for special programs and exhibits.

Hit the Arcade – The old midways of the 1920’s era amusement parks eventually transformed into the modern day arcade, and a sense of nostalgia still exists in the several boardwalk arcades around today.  Way beyond pinball and skee-ball(although you’ll find those too), OC arcades are spilling over with state of the art virtual reality games.  And some of the most popular require a little more agility than thumb movement-dancing and step games always draw the biggest crowds.

Thx to the Ocean City Visitor’s Guide Vol. 15 – No.3

Parasail – Soar high above the boardwalk and get the best view of Ocean City – from 800 feet in the air. Experienced guides guarantee a safe, smooth ride, and you might not even have to get your feet wet. Fly over the bay to check out the OC skyline, or take the ocean route and try to spot dolphins.  And the best part – no experience is necessary for this exhilarating ride.

Catch a Fish (Or Several!) - Anglers find themselves in a saltwater heaven in Ocean City, where one day you can reel in yellow fin tuna and blue marlin a short distance off-shore, and the next day drop a line in the bay or off one of the many piers for some flounder.  There are several fishing outfitters and charters ready to set you on course for a fishing trip to brag about.

Delve Into an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet - Crab legs or prime rib?  Shrimp or steak?  You don’t have to choose at Ocean City’s popular buffets – you can have it all.  Several restaurants in town offer extensive buffets, many offering a baffling array of seafood, including local delicacies like Maryland Blue Crabs.  Those picky eaters in the family are bound to find happiness with the dozens and dozens of delicious offerings.  And one thing is for sure, nobody’s leaving hungry.

Shop, Shop, and Shop Again - We know the story – you go in for a beach towel and some sunscreen and you come out with a new necklace, a bathing suit, some candy and a handful of souvenirs you just have to have.  It is Ocean City shopping at its finest-there’s everything you need and much, much more.  From beautiful jewelry to discount designer dubs, you’ll find a wide variety of merchandise all over town, from the outlet malls to the boardwalk.

Go on an Eco-Adventure - Away from the bustling boardwalk, there are still areas of pristine natural beach, with swaying marsh grasses and plentiful wildlife.  And luckily, exploring these areas is surprisingly easy.  Just head over to Assateague Island, rent a kayak or bicycle, and explore the island.  Or, take a guided nature cruise right from Ocean-City and let a professional naturalist explain the eco-system and point out wildlife.

Cool Off on a Speed Boat - It’s 90 degrees, you’ve been in the sun all day, and you’re craving a cool breeze.  Sounds like the perfect time to jump on one of Ocean City’s speedboat cruises, which blast you across the ocean at top speeds.  Feel the wind and cool mist on your face as you try to spot dolphins in the boat’s high-powered wake.  Just don’t forget to take your hat off.

Rent a Jet Ski – Take on the waves in your own watercraft.  Fast and fun to drive, jet ski rentals are a great way to cool off and get your adrenaline pumping after a day of lounging in the sun.  Area rental companies provide training and equipment, and require that you stay within a certain riding area.   Ride alone or with a friend, and prepare for a thrilling (and wet!) ride.

Fly a Kite – A quintessential beach activity, kite flying is a great way to get the whole family involved.  Bring your own kite, or buy a new one at the beach.  You’ll be surprised by the variety of colors and shapes.  Single line kites are the easiest to fly, while two-line kites are the best for maneuvers like loops and spins.  Area kite stores are more than happy to assist you in your search for the perfect kite, and give tips on how to fly it best.

Dine on the Docks -A beach vacation just isn’t complete without a good meal and a cool drink with an ocean view.  Ocean City is home to several quality restaurants with stunning views.  Signature drinks, delectable seafood and a great atmosphere are staples of every waterside establishment.  Some also double as popular hotspots at night, with live music and a fun-loving crowd.

Spot a Wild Pony - The ponies of Assateague Island have been roaming the sand dunes and marshes of their windswept strip of land for hundreds of years.  Today, visitors come from near and far to check out the peculiar animals in their natural habitat.  Just remember not to touch or feed the ponies – they are still wild animals.

Thx to the Ocean City Visitor’s Guide - Vol 15 – No. 3

Whether you’re Irish or not… they’ll be sooo many fun things to do at the beach in Ocean City this weekend!

Here’s what you should do…no don’t dress up like a dog!!!!

Everyone is "a wearing of the green"!

*Head to 45th street around 11 am, parking will be tight, get there early
*Enjoy the music, parade and various sights at the festival (and there will be some sights to see)
*Grab a delicious cheese steak from Belly Busters (across the street from the festival – no cholesterol in that sub – St. Patrick has removed it for the day)
*Following the festival, head on down to Pepper’s Tavern on 16th street and the boardwalk. Pepper’s is in parade, so the joint will be jumping
*Hit up the famous Shenanigans on 4th street and the boardwalk, this weekend just so happens to be their opening weekend. Can you say green beer, green beer, green beer!
*Dinner at Pickles Pub on 8th street, corned beef and cabbage, so very appropriate for the day.

Some other popular spots…

*Kirby’s Pub on 94th Street
*The Greene Turtle North on 116th St.
*Seacrets on 49th typically has a large late night celebration (large is probably an understatement)
*Bull on the Beach on 94th

Remember West Ocean City!

*The Greene Turtle West off of Rt.611
*Harborside Bar and Grill
*Mickey Fins (which is where Gary Beach and the Marlin Moon Grill guys are now, remember my post from last weekend?)

Have a lot of fun and please DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!

The East Coast took quite a beating from a winter storm that moved through most of Saturday into Sunday morning. Many areas to the north and west of Ocean City were very hard hit with record amounts of snow. I was hoping for more of the white stuff, but alas, we didn’t get that much at the beach. You didn’t have to dig your car out from the parking lot at your condo.

We (hubby and I) did brave the frigid air Sunday and hit the boardwalk for our usual run. It was dramatically different that what we are use to. The wind chills were in the teens and our run was very short lived. In fact, we had to go down by the ocean front on the sand to run, because the boardwalk was too slippery. FYI, if you never ran on the sand it’s a much more challenging experience. Even if it is frozen sand.

Take a look at the boardwalk with some snow. I was amazed to see several stores and eateries open, and there was even a 3 person line at Fisher’s Popcorn and Thrasher’s french fries.  Ahhh the power of food.

Stay warm my friends!

Stormy Day on the Beach & Boardwalk in Ocean City, Md.

1.  Hit the boardwalk.

2.  Stop counting calories.

3.  Catch every sunrise and sunset.

4.  Go back in time.

5. Do some serious shopping..

6.  Visit the ponies at Assateaque Island.

7.  All Free stuff; free concerts on the beach, bonfires on the beach, free movies on the beach, Sundaes boogie on the beach…

8. Eat Crabs. Repeat…eat Crabs!

9. Fore. Play Golf.

10. Plan your next trip to Ocean City ASAP!

October Calendar of Events – Ocean City, Md.