As is true with everyone in 2020, plans are futile. For the past year we had been looking forward to our vacation in St. Thomas Virgin Islands but due to COVID we ended up in Ocean City, Maryland.
Yes this post is almost 3 months late. It is winter now and the holiday season, and feels weird to be posting about our beach vacation. But better late than never, right?
Covid:
Dustin and I took traveling at this time very seriously. We wore masks at all times on the boardwalk, in restaurants when not at our table, in shops, in our hotel until we got to our room and when we left our socially distant spot on the beach. Dustin and I also tried to maintain the required 6 ft distance as much as possible.
Why Ocean City Maryland?
We had been keeping an eye on the developments of COVID and then watched as the US Virgin Islands closed to tourism a month before our scheduled arrival date. As state quarantine lists did not align with Washington DC’s quarantine list, we had to choose a place that we knew would not require us to quarantine upon arrival or upon return to DC. That is how we ended up in Ocean City Maryland.
Beach Time:
Obviously this was the main draw to the location of Ocean City. All we had wanted was somewhere warm (it was kind of warm) & on the beach of an ocean (check). I am thankful that we were able to go at a time when the beaches had very few visitors. I can only imagine how packed this place gets at high tourist season. We were able to have a socially distant patch of beach every time we went.
Ocean City Boardwalk:
We had heard this was a big draw of the city. A 3 mile stretch facing the ocean houses so many hotels, restaurants, shops, and activities of all kinds. Walk or rent a bike to explore it from top to bottom. Due to Covid some things were open, some were not.
Food:
The food of choice in Ocean City is seafood, and what feels like a version of fair food. There are many choices, and seemed like a little bit of something for everyone. Dustin tried crab legs at Hoopers Crab House for the first time so he was able to get in his “new food experience” he does when we travel. We tried a cannoli and fried oreos at Julia’s Ice Cream which is said to have a famous cannoli. I tried lobster mac’ n’ cheese at every possible establishment. And though I am not a doughnut person we grabbed a few from the highly encouraged Fractured Prune.
Tips/ FYI:
- The Boardwalk is dog friendly October 1-April 30.
- Ocean City has free things to do or experience throughout the year. Movies on the beach to surf competitions are only a couple free options. Check out this page for a complete list.
- To save $ get a hotel with a small kitchen/ kitchenette to be able to prepare some of your own meals. Our hotel (not sponsored) Had a small but fully equipped kitchen which allowed us to prepare all our breakfasts and lunches. We did pay extra to have a beach view which I think was worth every penny. The view was the highlight of the trip.
- If you have kids and are looking for a beach this is your spot. An amusement park, food, beach, lodging, and more all walkable.
Assateague Island National Park:
Talk to anyone living in Washington DC, and they will tell you this destination is a must visit before you move away from the District. This day trip (just outside of Ocean City) was at the top of both of our highlights list. The island is a beachfront National Park where wild horses have been living on the island for almost 300 years. They are the main draw for most visitors who hope to catch a glimpse of some wild horses on the beach on on a trail. Our plan is to return to this island and camp on the beach.
As with the rest of this year, nothing looks the way anyone thinks. While this would not have been on our bucket list to visit, we were thankful to get out of DC for a few days and sit by an ocean for a while. Here is looking to the next time we get to travel.
Until next time,
Cat and Dustin
Looking for things to do in Washington DC when you visit?
Check out this post we made to help get you started:
