We get lots of people asking whether the Boardwalk closes. The answer is no, not ever. The Ocean City Boardwalk is essentially just like a street – it’s always there to be walked upon and generally enjoyed. Although that hasn’t always been the case. That is, the beach is older than the boardwalk and was an attraction long before the first plank was laid.
A Brief History of Ocean City – Visit Ocean City Maryland
Ocean City has a wonderful and storied past. An Englishman named Thomas Fenwick,the namesake of the Delaware resort that borders Ocean City to the north, once owned the land that our Ocean City of today rests upon. All who are involved in the city’s tourism today can look to Isaac Coffin as grandfather of that industry.
Yes, but Is the Ocean City Boardwalk Really Open?
Of course, many people know that the Ocean City Boardwalk itself doesn’t close, but they want to know whether there are things to do. Again, there is plenty to do on the Ocean City Boardwalk that is free and open all year. For example, you can play with your kids (or grandchildren or nieces and nephews, etc. ) at the playground.
The Boardwalk also makes a fantastic gym if you want to get some exercise in and keep off the winter pounds. And, in the off season, bikes and dogs are welcome back all day!
Walking the boardwalk for exercise – OceanCity.com
A little insider’s tip: The boardwalk is one of the best places to go for a run, even in the summer. So is the beach. Going on vacation doesn’t have to mean losing sight of your health and fitness goals, and if you’re willing to put in a little bit of time and energy, you …
‘But is the stuff open. The shops and that?’
The easiest answer to this is that there is no law that says they have to be closed, but each of the independent Boardwalk businesses sets and keeps its own hours. Shops are open most weekends through the end of October and starting again in March, but increasingly they are open pretty much every weekend all year, even the tee shirt shops.
The larger amusements, like Trimper Rides, are often open weekends through the end of October. Sometimes if the weather is expected to be awful, they’ll announce they will close. Mostly, though, their Facebook page is the best indicator of whether they’re open from week to week in the fall. Same in the spring, starting around Easter, their indoor rides will open weekends, with the full park often open by the end of April.
The arcades are open all year, so you can get your Skee Ball fix pretty much whenever.
You’ll always be able to find fries and a drink, but some restaurants and bars are open year round, or at least for the shoulder season. Captain’s Table on 15th Street is open all year round for breakfast and dinner, and Shenanigans opens around St Patrick’s Day each year, although it may be another few weeks before they are open seven days. Tipsy Taco on the Boardwalk at 18th Street is open during the summer months.
But what else is there to do?
One of our favorite things is to walk around snapping photos of our favorite place in the world. You can get some cool shots at interesting angles this time of year. Even better, you can follow us on Instagram (@OceanCityPhotos)
Taking a walk along the Ocean City Boardwalk – OceanCity.com
The Ocean City Boardwalk is arguably like no other place on Earth. Sure, there are other boardwalks lining the shores of coastal cities around the world, but somehow, OC is just a little bit different – maybe it’s something in our sector of the Atlantic Ocean water.
Article updated April 2024
