How to Plan a 24-Hour Getaway to Ocean City

Ocean City is one of those quintessential East Coast beach towns, with waves, sunshine, and a historic boardwalk jam-packed with arcades, tacky T-shirts, and French fries. This seaside destination is tantalizingly close to D.C. (depending on the Bay Bridge traffic situation, naturally), and it’s worth escaping for ocean views, family-friendly fun, and a taste of the city’s local cuisine — as in Orange Crushes and Old Bay.

Temperatures stay in the mid-60s through October, which makes OC an ideal post-summer getaway (the same can be said for Virginia Beach, as well). On Monday, October 7, Brittingham Farms in Millsboro, Delaware hosts a dreamy fall harvest dinner in its lavender fields with Ocean City favorite Spain Wine Bar.

And in good news, the Maryland beach’s medical waste-related swim ban was officially lifted this past weekend. There’s a lot of Ocean City eating to do, but here’s one itinerary to hit a few delicious highlights in 24 hours.

7 a.m. Doughnuts at Fractured Prune

Start your beach day with an “O.C. Sand” doughnut from Fractured Prune, the local chain that dips freshly-made doughnuts into your choice of 19 different glazes and 13 different toppings. That “O.C. Sand” doughnut is for purists — it’s just honey glaze and cinnamon sugar — but you can go wild by adding your own mix of toppings like crumbled bacon or cookie crumbs. Or try out preset options like the Morning Buzz with mocha glaze and crushed Oreos.

9 a.m. Breakfast at Bayside Skillet

Crepes and omelets are staples at the very pink-hued Bayside Skillet, which has been serving up breakfast for more than four decades in Ocean City. Sit under a frilly umbrella and order chorizo crepes with homemade salsa verde or the famous Banana Royale crepe with caramelized banana butter.

11 a.m. Activity interlude: Book shopping at Buzzed Word

A beach read is a must, so pop in bookstore/wine bar and shop Buzzed Word before you lay out your towel on the sand. Romance, thrillers, and natural wine from all around the world are on the shelves here.

1 p.m. Lunch and drinks at Wahoo Beach Bar

Feel the ocean breeze as you grab lunch at Wahoo Beach Bar, the outdoor dining venue at the new Ashore Resort & Beach Club. The outdoor dining deck offers seaside views and standout coconut shrimp. Bonus: If you stay at this resort-style OC hotel, staff members will set up your beach chairs and an umbrella and will even deliver Wahoo Beach Bar drink orders like pina coladas straight to your lounger on the sand.

3 p.m. Activity interlude: Boardwalk fun (and history) with Thrasher’s Fries

Pedicabs, schlocky souvenirs, and Candy Kitchen outposts galore: Ocean City’s nearly three-mile boardwalk is the center of it all. Frolicking on the boardwalk goes back more than 100 years, and you can experience a bit of beach history with a look at Trimpers Rides, an amusement park that includes a functioning circa-1912 carousel, or the circa-1891 Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Another must-visit is Thrasher’s Fries, which also goes way back to 1929. The apple cider vinegar-doused fries are still so popular with visitors that you can track the length of the Thrasher’s boardwalk line via live webcam.

6 p.m. Dinner at Harbor Watch

The raw bar is always hopping at Harrison’s Harbor Watch, where oysters are shucked in front of you for an oyster stew made to order right at the bar. You can’t go wrong with crab either, whether it’s crab dip or the no-filler crab cake.

Other ideas: Steamed crabs at Belly Busters, tandoori spiced salmon at the Tide Room, duck cigars at The Hobbit, and “double the crab” soft shell BLTs at Liquid Assets.

8 p.m. Ice cream at Dumser’s Dairyland

Ice cream in Ocean City is pretty much synonymous with Dumser’s, the old-fashioned ice cream parlor that originally opened in 1939 and now boasts seven locations around town. Go for cones piled high with scoops of peanut butter fudge or black raspberry, or a simple ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

9 p.m. Drinks at Macky’s Bayside

The orange crushes are served in an actual bucket with a straw stuck in it at Macky’s, which is celebrating its 30th years in business. If you’d prefer a glass, try beachy frozen drinks like electric blue lemonade or mango daiquiris.

Other ideas: Passionfruit mai tais at The Coconut Club, joining the crowd at Fager’s Island or mega-bar Seacrets.

Dumser’s Dairyland/Facebook

12 a.m. Late night snack at Route 66 Diner

Newly-opened diner Route 66 stays open late for post-Seacrets revelers, serving waffles, BLT breakfast sandwiches, and loaded fries until 4 a.m.

Where to stay: The newly-renovated oceanfront Ashore Resort & Beach Club (all done up resort-style in nautical stripes and pretty ocean blue tones) or The Hotels at Fager’s Island (two upscale boutique hotels located on Ocean City’s bayside).

Ashore Resort & Beach Club