Hotel at a Glance: Grand Hotel Ocean City

Ocean City's century-old boardwalk stretches along the Atlantic Ocean right outside the doors of the Grand Hotel. Inside, your family can nosh on pizza and ice cream or splash in the indoor pool.

• Direct beach access: From this hotel’s doors, it’s only a short trek to the beach.
• Diverse dining options: Onsite restaurants (some seasonal) serve everything from hearty American breakfasts to authentic Italian cuisine.
• Room with a view: Semi-private balconies overlook the boardwalk and the ocean.
• Take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool or the indoor pool that's open year-round, both of which feature towel service and a seasonal pool bar.
• Fitness center with cardio equipment, weight machines, and a sauna.

Ocean City, Maryland: Family-Friendly Boardwalk next to the Atlantic

Along Ocean City’s century-old boardwalk, you can savor wild-caught blue crab, play old-fashioned arcade games, and watch candy makers spin colorful saltwater taffy. The lively boardwalk, which stretches for 3 miles along Maryland’s eastern shore, helped earn Ocean City a spot on USA Today’s list of the "10 great places to have some fun on a boardwalk." Kids can ride a Ferris wheel and climb aboard one of the country’s oldest carousels at Trimper’s Amusement Park, a family-owned theme park open for more than 100 years.

Assateague Island National Seashore—a 37-mile stretch of salt marshes running from Ocean City down to Virginia—offers a peaceful reprieve from the boardwalk’s constant activity. The island’s famous wild horses gallop on the shores, and you can climb up a vintage, candy-striped lighthouse, or hike the seaside forests to spot birds, including great horned owls, ruby-crowned kinglets, and great blue herons.