Which Ocean City is Better? New Jersey or Maryland?

Have you ever been to Ocean City before? Oh yeah, we should specify which one. This video will go through the differences and similarities between the two renown Ocean City's, the one in New Jersey, and the one in Maryland. Have you been to both? Which do you like better? Argue about what I say in the comments. Enjoy!
#oceancitynj
#oceancitymd
#oceancity

[@tracyoldfield682]

I’ve been to a lot of different beach towns and Ocean City NJ is by far the best for family vacation. I always stay within walking distance of everything so no need for a car which is convenient. Another plus is alcohol is not served anywhere on the island which deters a lot of partying. I’ve been going to Ocean City NJ for years and its been my home away from home❤

[@1972Ray]

We've been going for a week for almost 20 years. It hurts seeing the problems they're having with kids getting drunk and high, never saw that until last year.

[@tracyoldfield682]

@@1972RaySo many kids today feel as though they can do whatever they want without consequence. It’s probably due to the deterioration of the family along with the need for a two parent income, which leave the kids unsupervised. Sorry for getting political but our government has always been at the root of every mess.

[@1972Ray]

@@tracyoldfield682 I sort of agree, but IMO, the actual problem is that the liberal SA in Trenton does not want the kids to have any record with the police, and that's exactly what they need. Local police, if they see a teen with a joint in one hand and a beer in the other, can't detain, or even get a name. OCNJ police want the ability to at least hold these kids until a parent picks them up, they may get that this year. They've instituted a curfew. A liberal policy, meant to protect the little ones, is actually hurting the kids, go figure. Local officials know they have to do something, or else you might just as well go to OCMD.

[@tracyoldfield682]

@@1972Ray wow I had no idea. Well like I said, our gov always causes more problems than positive solutions.

[@yxngbt387]

@@1972Raybingo

[@simondaughtry4619]

Floridian here...(Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale raised) OC MD was a real surprise for its charm, cleanliness and endless options..... WE will be returning soon.

[@RyanTrent]

Yea we tend to visit Lauderdale or Destin. Looking at going up North to visit those beaches. How good was it?

[@paulg845]

Cannot believe you didn't mention that Ocean City Maryland beach is free... Yet you have to pay for Ocean City New Jersey's beach access between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A major factor to consider on your chart for beaches.

[@1972Ray]

With no alcohol sales, it's helps.

[@mikewillett5076]

Yeah but I'd rather pay a few dollars for a better beach. Finer sand, waves don't crash right before the shore, doesn't get deep quick and less riff raff.

[@whitestarlinegoodnight]

As a Marylander... I prefer New Jersey. Not least of which because renting around OCMD is a nightmare.

[@oceancitydon1]

Great video. We are from Baltimore and always felt like we had to go to O.C. MD. Until we seen O.C. NJ. on the weather map one day and wondered so we visited and have never been back to MD. since. O.C NJ. is actually a twenty minute less of a drive without having to drive the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge and O.C NJ is a dry town that makes it even more family friendly.

[@mikewillett5076]

Smart folks! Awesome that you broke from the OC MD spell. OC NJ has the better beach hands down. Will never convince most people from our area though. And good!

[@tberman2386]

@@mikewillett5076 You forgot to say nice beach that you have to pay to use! Need a Beach Badge so that Beach towns can give rich kids a summer job, beach badge checker. Such garbage! In Maryland, the beach is free!!!

[@mikewillett5076]

@@tberman2386 . The beach I mainly go to in South Jersey is free. But you know what? Unless someone hits the beach many many times per year, it's only a few dollars and they have season rates for frequent sand dwellers. There's less riff raff in OC NJ vs Md by quite a bit. (on the beach, boards and in general). I'd gladly pay a few bucks. My friend who lives deep in Marylands Eastern Shore went for the first time and was amazed. Loved the much finer sand, flat shore break and nicer mix of people. OC Marylands beach really isn't that nice. I don't hate OC Maryland and go once in awhile, but my favorite thing is, it draws in the masses. Lol

[@tberman2386]

@@mikewillett5076 Which one in South Jersey?

[@mikewillett5076]

@@tberman2386 . I don't like to give it away too much, but Wildwood. Wildwood Crest in particular. Nicer than the actual town of Wildwood. It falls on deaf Maryland ears though so no harm. Lol

[@pambaer3431]

I an originally from Pennsylvania. Moved to NJ. Always loved my Delaware and Maryland beaches. Friendly atmosphere too!

[@mnews2270]

Grew up going to OCNJ. Loved it. Small family friendly. Have been to OCMD many times too but more during college as it's bigger and more catered to partying with clubs and bars. I prefer now as an adult living in northern VA DC area Rehoboth Beach. Rehoboth reminds me more of OCNJ in being smaller and more family friendly.

[@taxpayer239]

I worked at Dept.of Public Works in Ocean City, NJ for 32 years. All my friends like MD better. If your tired of all the drugs, liquer,crime..and like the elite and rich...NJ is for you. It is basically a family resort...with a beefed up police force.

[@rickbar123]

Wildwood is the Happiest Place On Earth. It says so on the sign over the Boardwalk.

[@mikewillett5076]

Shhhh! Lol😂

[@zack9777]

I would say OCNJ is better for Familes OCMD is more for the younger crowd

[@mikewillett5076]

Not sure where you're from but you got it exactly right. Almost everyone from Maryland thinks it's gotta be OC Md all the way and for all people. OC NJ doesn't even count for them. O know several families who don't drink or go to bars but go to OC Md every time. Idiots, but let em keep it crowded there!

[@tyb9975]

Now this is the correct answer.

[@chrislauver3054]

OCMD has so many better restaurants. Seacrets, Macky’s, Hooper’s, Crabcake Factory, Higgins, De Lazy Lizard. I could go on and on. Free beaches, much more to do also.

[@thomascollier4421]

If you want a really good restaurant go to marmora

[@judithcoloma613]

I've been to both many, many, times. I think I like the Delaware Seashores the best. I will not lie, it has been over 30 years since I have been there, so I really don't know what they are like now. Growing up in Hbg, PA., working "at the shore" during the summer in high school and college was a dream for many Mid-Atlantic teenagers and a nightmare for their parents.

[@samanthab1923]

Last place we visited was Bethany Beach & it was lovely 🌞

[@knhcarpentryhomeimprovemen8946]

It's all over crowded and messed up now

[@uncannyramsay8727]

I've been to both plenty of times since early childhood. They're too far away from me since I have moved out of state now but boardwalks have always been a nostalgic place to visit. Both of them have their own pros and cons. New Jersey's was obviously closer coming from someone who lived an hour away yet 3-ish hours from Maryland's. My family and I visited there often to go to the boardwalk, ride some rides, get ice cream, and go down those little stores; especially this one place that had cats and you could watch the cats playing and sleeping from the windows. Maryland's is visually more memorable and is also has a location of the world's best pizza place; Grotto Pizza. (They better expand their business to Ohio someday lol) So con-wise, NJ has some real winners for people (one of the reasons why I moved far far away lol) and MD has the most hostile seagulls you'll ever meet. (This is coming from someone who nearly lost his fingers after trying to eat some french fries and minding his own business. I'm still traumatized today; it's been 8 years. Thank God the seagulls are a lot more docile here in Ohio!! But the same can't be said for the geese...)

[@seanstapelfeld6448]

This guy is the Rick Steves of the northeast! Love the videos!

[@aliceclary8500]

Hoping to go to Ocean City Md for a few day this month ( 21-25 ) never stayed there before. Two seniors looking for a short get away from PA.

[@mikewillett5076]

OC Md rules for bar hopping. You can ride the "drunk bus" all day for $5 I believe. Otherwise it's ok, very commercial like Myrtle Beach.

[@Hakuna65Matata]

I live in the Lehigh Valley. Which is an hour and a half north of Philadelphia. I still go down to OCMD. The noise doesnt bother me. I rather take a 4 hour drive down, you can stop at Meding and Son restaraunt which is not far from Lewes. Hit up Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey (aka THE COLLEGE PARTY BEACH), Bethany, Fenwick Island and stop at the Fenwick General Store before you end up in Ocean City Maryland. Cool thing is that if you were staying in Lewes, you can take the Fairy over from Lewes to Cape May, NJ. Its technically Route 9

[@georose33]

I lived in NJ for 28 years (worst decision ever) and I'd drive past OC, NJ to the ferry and on to OC, MD. Huge variety of hotels, booze, restaurants and don't remember ever having to wait in line for anything. So much better than OC, NJ.

[@JessicaG1976]

Grew up in NJ, but prefer Ocean City, MD. Beaches are nicer, NJ has too many rules and you have to pay. Ocean City, MD is a great place, and if you want more family atmosphere stay closer to Fenwick, DE.

[@barnacles62]

I live about an hour from Maryland's OC and so it's a lot of memories there for me, been going there since I can remember. I never went to any other beaches until later in life, I went to Virginia Beach, which was small I felt, and then I did go to Wildwood, which I did enjoy. But my beach will always be OCMD. I went into the haunted house built by Bill Tracy there with my parents, then with my wife, then my daughter, and then my grandkids, as well as many of the rides there at Trimpers, which are actually historic. The Inlet was there ever since I remember, but was actually made by a hurricane, and is very popular for ocean anglers here. They have a White Marlin Open here every year which brings in a very high revenue, attracting people like Michael Jorden. The Eastern Shore itself has a very unique culture, if you have time during a stay here, I suggest leave the beach a few days and see Smith or Tangier Islands, it's like going back in time, St Michaels and Black Water Wildlife Refuge which is a beautiful example of the Eastern Shore Wildlife and how much of it looked before settlement. If there, Stop and see the birth spot of Harriet Tubman, the store she was almost killed in, and the museum that was built for her. I love where I'm from, I can enjoy Ocean front, rivers, country charm, City Charm from Washington DC and Baltimore, or mountains all within a two-hour drive. I feel blessed....

[@1079walter]

Maryland OC is much better. Hands down.

[@samanthab1923]

Know residents of OC NJ who say the summers are intolerable. Rent & get out for the season. Way too crowded.

[@tberman2386]

Right, the shoebees invade and fly their renter flags!

[@michaelingram3961]

Ocean City, MD is the clear winner!

[@GB-rv8im]

Any beach is fine for me but OCMD is more sentimental due to being my family vacation spot growing up. I loved it so much I moved to west OCMD close to beautiful Assateague Island. My Happy place!

[@1972Ray]

What happened to the rental prices at OCMD? Houses we stayed in two years ago for 2500$ are now 3900$. And they're all rented out! This year we're going for a week starting Sept. 2, when the prices drop.

[@trevamcmaster2845]

Many more restaurants in Maryland. We do stay in Bethany beach travel to oc,md, rehobeth more eateries .nice town is oc, nj cute town.

[@hexkwondo]

Don’t know about Maryland but, it is hella hard to find parking in Ocean City, NJ during the summer months. That and having to pay to get on the beach is kind of a bummer too.

[@tberman2386]

Agree with you! Went to OC NJ one time and had to drive around for 30 minutes looking for parking to go to a friends house. Most homes have a spot or two and other have none at all! It is like row homes at the beach with on street parking! Never had an issue going to a friend's home in OC MD and finding parking at their home or right in front or adjacent to it...not block and blocks away. Oh and again, the beach is free in MD! Don't need a damn beach badge. Oh, to combat the idiot argument that the beach badges keep the beach clean, the OC MD beaches are swept clean everyday by tractors with rakes. Not sure which if any of NJ Beach towns that do the same. I go to LBI and the beach we go to it seems they never clean the beach and if the trash cans are emptied once a week, that would be alot.

[@williamkurzenberger4607]

Years ago, there was actually rail service to Ocean City, New Jersey. Ridership declined, and the Seashore line stopped service. It might be time to revisit this, as attitudes about transportation are shifting once again. Better public transportation would alleviate the parking situation. Atlantic City still has rail service. In fact, there were trains that went to most of the coastal towns that lie south of Atlantic City. Maybe a light rail network would be practical?

[@user-tz4yy7cq1f]

I HAVE BEEN GOING TO OCEAN CITY MARYLAND FOR THE LAST 35 YEARS. THE TOWN AND BEACH ARE BOTH VERY CLEANN. DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OCMD OFFERS AREAS WITH ALOT OF ACTIVITY AND ALSO AREAS THAT ARE QUIET. OCMD IS A GREAT PLACE TO BRING YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE YEARS OF GREAT MEMORIES.

[@MoviemaniaNick]

Also Ocean City, NJ is a dry town meaning NO alcohol but you have to pay to be on the beach during the season. While in Ocean City, MD is NOT a dry town but the beach is FREE! I used to live near Ocean City, MD so I know a lot of facts about it.

[@vinnolano]

Ocean City New Jersey hands down the better place

[@YouSigmaConcience]

Md ocean city is better cause boardwalk btw its too in nj but something that isnt in nj its NICK MINI GOLF!!! SUCH A PARADISE

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

I have been going to NJ for about 30 years but I heard OCM has alot of crime and I heard that from the Chamber of Commerce.

[@tberman2386]

NJ beaches have their fair share too. LBI had a rash of car thefts around 4th of July weekend this year . Gangs of car thieves coming down from North Jersey and stealing open cars with the keys in them. 35 cars stolen that weekend off the island in 48 hours. Those are big city numbers!

[@maxwelljacobfreedom]

Both thanks to Democrats

[@Gwen0902]

Ocean City Maryland for sure, in my opinion 🏊

[@mikewillett5076]

Are you a major bar hopper? OC Md rules for that. Otherwise it's ok. The boardwalk is decent but doesn't hold a candle to Wildwoods but most Maryland people think it's the best (lol). The beach is "ok". Other than that, OC Md is one of the most overrated shore towns, ever.

[@mikewillett5076]

@@jimweir6500 . Lol you don't have to be a big drinker to enjoy OC MD. Just making a point that there are more family friendly, calmer (less craziness) less crowded beach towns to enjoy. And with better sand, better waves. So yeah OC does rule for bar hopping. All day bus pass, and tons of bars up and down. Not my first choice for vacation (and I do go to bars) but I like to experience the commercialism once in awhile. So many people I know take their kids. Not friendly waves at all, and the sand is abrasive!

[@mikewillett5076]

@@jimweir6500 . Yes I know people drink at their places in OC NJ. But overall, island-wide, the extreme party craziness isn't around. While I'm not as familiar with OC NJ as I am Stone Harbor and Cape May, I find the people much nicer and approachable than in OC MD. Most Maryland people seem more "guarded", the "I don't know you" vibe. Guess it depends on the combo of who we meet to give us our impressions. Also not as familiar with the sand in OC NJ but I find the sand in Stone Harbor light years better than the Md beach And I'd rather pay a few $ to not be towel to towel with strangers and an overall better class of people.

[@mikewillett5076]

@@jimweir6500 . Lol no winner or loser. Have a good one.

[@tberman2386]

@@jimweir6500 I agree Jim. Grew up in MD and OC MD was my place as a kid. It was great and never any issues. My wife is from PA and grew up on LBI. Have been going there for over 20 years now, but still mis OC MD. Where I go, too many North Jersey and NY people since they have been priced out of the NY area. Way too many tank tops with NY Yankee barb wire tattoos at the beach bars. There is no boardwalk on LBI, so the lifers say that keeps away the riff raff. LBI is not dry like OCNJ, so you can get a drink or byob to every restaurant. What gets me though, is paying to go to the freakin beach! You need a beach badge and it has to be for the stupid town you are in. Not like there would be a universal badge on LBI so if you wanted to go see friends at other beaches on the island! OCMD..go to the beach for free and go to any patch of it and pay nothing!

[@mrsvoyage]

Wildwood or ocean city md ? I am no sure

[@BMartin1776]

OCNJ

[@willbygosh4887]

I don't know but I would like to visit both,then I will decide.

[@noherekruger3738]

How you didnt mention that OC NJ is a DRY TOWN tells me you dont know anything about either of these. There are no clubs in OC NJ because of it. NJ is for old people, MD is for people with kids and who want to drink. As someone who grew up in Philly area, OC MD is superior. Also, there ARE alternatives in MD unlike you said. Theres OC, Lewes, Bethany, Dewey, Rehobeth and Fenwick. Have you actually been to OC MD?

[@bryceherring946]

Also worth mentioning that OC NJ is alcohol free, right?

[@jeffreymiller6847]

Obviously MD is because the town is filled with NJ and NY residents in the summer months

[@BevanFarmTexas]

OCMD all day!

[@Elios0000]

Ocean City Maryland is best we have alcohol. as to boating OC MD has the biggest fishing tournaments on the east coast. namely the White Marlin Open which brings in BIG names from all over the world.

[@1972Ray]

The lack of alcohol is what makes NJ better, IMO. Last time I was at OCMD, some drunk almost threw up on my 4 year old. I'll never go back. I've converted a couple diehard OCMD fans. Once they went to OCNJ, they'll never go back.

[@user-lk8yh7bu5o]

Maryland

[@johnkaczinski468]

For a family vacation, especially with small kids, the alcohol free laws in OCNJ make it the best choice.

[@twiztid_steve]

I live in MD and think Ocean City MD sucks. I go to Wildwood NJ

[@mikewillett5076]

Same here but shhhh! 😆. I like OC Md once in awhile but it's so overrated and stamped in the DNA of people from our state. Wildwood has the better beaches, better boardwalk, less crowded, and not chock full of people you might know! But let em keep crowding there and going to Myrtle Beach and Outer Banks like everyone in Md is "programmed" to. 😆

[@SusieKatpersonKoch]

Me too! Wildwood is my very favorite!

[@mikewillett5076]

@@SusieKatpersonKoch . Let's hope it doesn't become more popular with people from areas that never go. A lot of changes and improvements have been happening there.

[@karenhammel3800]

Maryland hands down

[@Its_HdYT]

Ocean City Delaware: Am I a joke to you.

[@ExploretheNortheast]

You've genuinely confused me.

[@jayv3760]

ocean city NJ is better because it more beach city than MD

[@heathergaroh2787]

Why did you not mark Strathmere??? I have a 3.2 million dollar house there and that is just kind of rude because you are leaving Strathmere out by you are not leaving out the rest of them.

[@sandrahohl3721]

new jersey is the bestever ocean city jerseyshore is really cool

[@frankrizzo7454]

Ocean City MD feels more like Virginia Beach than any of the Jersey shore towns. The boardwalk is mostly lined by hotels and lacks the carnival atmosphere.

[@gurtshawTV_2005]

Forgot to mention this ocnj is a dry county Maryland is not

[@mrsvoyage]

Oc dl its niccest

[@richclay4209]

Lewes DL sounds likes it sounds, not Louis as pronounced by the commentator.

[@knhcarpentryhomeimprovemen8946]

Your not from lewes I guess

[@18564864]

No comparison md oc is much much better

[@kimsilcox1160]

Ocean City New Jersey does not serve beer.

[@ExploretheNortheast]

Ah yes, good point!

[@1972Ray]

But before you go over the causeway, there are plenty of liquor stores. You can take it in, they just don't want to become OCMD, with drunks falling out of bars at every block.

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

Good that why they dont have the same crime as OCMD

[@tberman2386]

No booze of any kind there!

[@Murdersharkvr]

MD HOMIES

[@patriciaschuster1371]

Ocean City Maryland doesn't cost anything. Sick that you pay for privileges of New Jersey.

[@keithsaulsbury4304]

used to be Maryland hands down but not anymore. that place has gone downhill in the last 10 or 15 years.

[@Vanxiety12]

Maryland EASY!!!!

[@spenserstravalacci6200]

I like New Jersey better cause it’s more family like to me and it’s also a Drytown

[@bobdickerson3434]

No contest. OC Maryland is better.

[@billanderson5165]

Neither. The water is cold and dark in both places

[@Elios0000]

not as much as you think in MD. the water is about a month behind the weather so by aug, sep or so its pretty nice more so when its 90 out with ton humidify

[@ExploretheNortheast]

I suspect the water temperature is similar, due to the close proximity. Is there any beach town in the Northeast with better beach water?

[@yxngbt387]

@@ExploretheNortheastnah you’d have to go all the way down to south facing OBX to really hit nice water because the Gulf Stream goes out to sea after that point so all in all it’s all fairly similar north of it

[@alcampagnone9131]

OC Maryland is free while Jersey beaches charge...much prefer Maryland coast.

[@nosnerd1967]

OCMD !!!

[@mikekreen9336]

I wish Pennsylvania had a beach.

[@ExploretheNortheast]

Not a fan of Presque Isle State Park?

[@Emocat41]

New Jersey is better

[@SusieKatpersonKoch]

I'm from Maryland... our Ocean city SUCKS! (many of us call it Ocean Sh*tty). The MD OC boardwalk isn't even a boardwalk, it's a cement walk & not even built up...it's flat on the ground. There's one crappy pier with rides & the boardwalk is loaded with bars for all the drunks. Ocean City New Jersey on the other hand is built up so it has the feel of overlooking the ocean, its made of actual BOARDS & has an enormous amount of activities for everyone in the family!

[@noherekruger3738]

Um, you must never have been to OC MD. It does have a boardwalk and there are amusment parks literally for miles.

[@charlenestein6061]

I have to say Ocean City Maryland is alot better.

[@jdealsdirect7660]

OCMD is better by miles. not even close

[@jimbo4187]

People from NJ don’t think about DE or MD beaches lol. The majority of beaches in NJ are fantastic with the exception of a few shitty ones. Would never drive to MD for a beach nearly all in NJ are better.

[@MrMoe158]

This is like comparing The Mets to The Yankees. OC MD is a lot nicer .OC jersey is dirty .

[@markalphauber78]

Both suck now and its ashame. Both place is a shthole id never go to again even if free and given penthouse.

[@georose33]

I lived in NJ and would go to OC, MD 3 or 4 times every summer. But 5 years ago I moved to Florida, best beaches in the US.

[@andrekellogg8859]

I AGREE , THE JERSEY SHORE IS ALL KIDDY RIDES AND GREASY PIZZA. I PREFER FLORIDA, SO MUCH NICERS THAN THE BYGONE ERA OF THE JERSEY SHORE

[@user-cc4gk6gx6w]

MD and it’s not even close