Wildwood NJ or Ocean City Md??

[luvsvacation]

We are doing an East coast trip this summer. We are planning to spend a few days at the beach as part of it. We have 2 teens, 15 and 13. When I was a teen we went to Wildwood and I loved it. We walked the boardwalk checking out all the touristy T shirt shops and eating junk food, we swam in the ocean and did the water and amusement parks on Moreys Pier. That's the experience I'm looking for. We're not into upscale, we're not foodies. I know a lot of people hate the hot dogs/pretzels on the boardwalk with tourist trap stores. That's kind of what I'm looking for. This is only a couple of days out of a much longer trip that will include lots of different experiences. I've heard people say they prefer Ocean City...I see that they have amusement rides and a waterpark also, along with a boardwalk. Just wondering if anyone has done both which do you prefer?

 

[Klayfish]

They're very different. I live in Atlanta now, but lived 42+ years around Philly, spent plenty of time in both locations. Wildwood is exactly as you describe it...your teens will probably have fun, just keep an eye on them. I did some...uh...interesting things when I was a teen in Wildwood. Lots of cheap t-shirt shops, cheap food, games, etc... It's a good time, but not the more "family friendly" upscale place that Ocean City, MD is. That's more expensive, more quiet (for the most part), more upscale.

What about Ocean City, NJ? Or Cape May? Cape May is very close to Wildwood, but is more upscale. So you can go there and get the best of both worlds...family friendly Cape May, party town Wildwood.

 

[Hikergirl]

I haven't been to Wildwood since I was a young teen but I have been to OC MD the last 2 summers. They have the same boardwalk type stuff that you find at the Jersey shore.
I love that entire area so that is my vote. I would also make a day to visit Assateague State Park beach. The beach itself is beautiful and the cleanest I have been too (aside from the horse droppings of course lol) The wild horses strolling on it, and even napping are well worth dealing with what they leave behind.
It has become my vacation spot of choice for the beach even though Jersey is closer. We normally visit Point Pleasant or venture toward Seaside every year for a quick beach getaway.

 

[kimj88]

I go to Ocean City, Maryland at least once every year. It is definitely not upscale. I would describe the boardwalk and amusement area exactly the way that you describe Wildwood. I think it would work great for your family.

 

[luvsvacation]

Sounds like Ocean City it is!! Thanks for the reminder about Assateague Island. We camped on the beach there once when I was a teen also. Think we will take one of our beach days to check it out!

 

[Hikergirl]

Sounds like Ocean City it is!! Thanks for the reminder about Assateague Island. We camped on the beach there once when I was a teen also. Think we will take one of our beach days to check it out!

I'm happy for you and jealous of you at the same time since I won't be able to go on a vacation this year! Have fun!

 

[prprincess]

I'd pick OCMD over Wildwood as well. Other than that, I would suggest Rehoboth Beach, DE or OCNJ.

 

[supernova]

Always speed past south Jersey. The beaches are filthy and the people are trash. It really is the dregs of society anywhere below LBI. To avoid the lowest common denominator of NY/NJ's finest, I skip the whole south part of the state and head right to Delaware. But always Ocean City, MD... every time.

 

[mjkacmom]

My teens love Wildwood! We avoid the boardwalk on the weekends. They have a lot of thrill rides and I believe the largest Boardwalk. We prefer Wildwood Crest, drive or trolley over to the boardwalk. Cape May is so close.

 

[Arkansan]

If you want family-friendly, my vote is for Stone Harbor/Avalon, NJ. Take a day (night?) trip to the Ocean City, NJ boardwalk as it is 20-30 minutes away. This area is more upscale than Ocean City, MD or Wildwood. Lots of cute shops, mini-golf, pizza and ice cream. You can rent bikes or walk pretty much everywhere, which is NOT true of Ocean City, MD. I would have no problem letting my teens walk into town by themselves in Stone Harbor. I would never let them roam independently in Ocean City, MD. Just my thoughts... I've gone to the Jersey Shore for 10 years and have been to Ocean City, MD at least four times in the past 3 years.

 

[mamamary]

If you want family-friendly, my vote is for Stone Harbor/Avalon, NJ. Take a day (night?) trip to the Ocean City, NJ boardwalk as it is 20-30 minutes away. This area is more upscale than Ocean City, MD or Wildwood. Lots of cute shops, mini-golf, pizza and ice cream. You can rent bikes or walk pretty much everywhere, which is NOT true of Ocean City, MD. I would have no problem letting my teens walk into town by themselves in Stone Harbor. I would never let them roam independently in Ocean City, MD. Just my thoughts... I've gone to the Jersey Shore for 10 years and have been to Ocean City, MD at least four times in the past 3 years.

Love Avalon and stone harbor. We were there last summer and we did a short day trip to Wildwood. I personally didn't like it. The kids did a few rides and we walked the boardwalk and left. I haven't been to ocean city, md in ages so I can't give a recent review.

 

[Poohlove]

Wildwood sounds like exactly what you are describing that you are looking for. IMHO the rides are the best along the south jersey shores and are better suited for your kids ages than Ocean City NJ. Ocean CITY NJ is very nice but it is geared more toward younger children. (I know you were asking about OCMD but some people here mention NJ so that is why I am comparing it with Wildwood)

OCMD is very nice, my kids go for two weeks every summer with their Dad, but I prefer the sand along the Jersey beaches.
It has been some time since I have been to the boardwalk here and at that it was during the day but it was definitely a much more quiet, upscale kind of vibe.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Always speed past south Jersey. The beaches are filthy and the people are trash. It really is the dregs of society anywhere below LBI. To avoid the lowest common denominator of NY/NJ's finest, I skip the whole south part of the state and head right to Delaware. But always Ocean City, MD... every time.

As a South Jersian.....

 

[RedAngie]

I take it OP hasn't vacationed in OCMD before. The southern end of Ocean City is similar to Wildwood, so you should have a great time. Still, I'd have to say that Wildwood is the King of the tacky touristy experience you crave.

I try to get to Wildwood for a day or weekend every two or three years for old times sake. My family always used to vacation there when I was a kid and I still enjoy it.
My usual beach town these days is Fenwick Island, Delaware, just across the state line from the northern (more upscale) part of Ocean City. Maybe once every summer we'll take a ride in the evening to the boardwalk area.

 

[Jhaberlein]

My usual beach town these days is Fenwick Island, Delaware, just across the state line from the northern (more upscale) par

Fenwick is our beach town too! We prefer the Rehobeth (or Bethany) boardwalk, but Ocean City, MD fits what you are looking for OP. If you go, make sure to get Fisher's Popcorn and Thrashers French fries!

 

[Poohlove]

Always speed past south Jersey. The beaches are filthy and the people are trash. It really is the dregs of society anywhere below LBI. To avoid the lowest common denominator of NY/NJ's finest, I skip the whole south part of the state and head right to Delaware. But always Ocean City, MD... every time.

What is wrong with you? Your entire statement is so mean and ill spirited I can not believe that is hasn't caught the attention of moderators.

 

[supernova]

What is wrong with you? Your entire statement is so mean and ill spirited I can not believe that is hasn't caught the attention of moderators.

And opinion of my experience at NJ beaches should be a concern of moderators? I'm confused...

 

[supernova]

As a South Jersian.....

As in root for the Eagles because you forget that they play in Philadelphia, not Jersey?

 

[Poohlove]

And opinion of my experience at NJ beaches should be a concern of moderators? I'm confused...

If you left it at you thought the beaches were dirty, fine. When you call all of us trash and "dregs of society" yes, the moderators should take note. Do you think that calling people names somehow makes you superior or do you get picked on a lot so you are taking it out on us?

 

[Poohlove]

As in root for the Eagles because you forget that they play in Philadelphia, not Jersey?

Why do you need to live in the same state as the sports team that you want to root for?