Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

Anyone ever been to Ocean City or other beach areas in MD/DE? Any recommendations or tips? We are looking to rent a condo/house in MD or DE in July. We will be meeting another family there and this is 1/2 way (they live in SC).

There will be 3 kids - ages 3, 2 1/2 and 16 months. So looking for family friendly areas.

Re: Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

We live in MD go to OC every year, well went every year with a group of friends, none with kids. People with kids that live in this area tend to at Ocean City, saying it attracts an "interesting" crowd, esp on the boardwalk in the evening/night.

I don't really agree with them and will have no problem bringing my kids to Ocean City one day.

That being said, people with this attitude about OC tend to bring their families to Bethany Beach, DE. There is also Rehoboth Beach, DE which is more family-friendly than OC, but also has a bit of a party atmosphere (And a gay atmosphere too.)

HTH!

Re: Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback.

Re: Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

We went to Rehoboth, DE in August 2007. We had a great time and I highly recommend it over Ocean City, MD. Rehoboth is a very family friendly town. My boys were 1 and 3 when we went. We rented through VRBO. No problems with the rental.

Bethany and Dewey are also nice but I prefer Rehoboth.

Re: Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

I think Ocean City is a fun place, esp for kids. You have the boardwalk, plenty of video arcades, rides, restaurants, etc! The crowd may be a lower scale as some people said..but I dont have any issues with it! I went to school down there and visit almost every year and always have a blast! It can get congested at times but overall I like it. If you go make sure you get Thrashers French Fries and Fisher Carmel Popcorn! (I think you can get them in DE now too)

Ok on a side note Rehobeth is also very nice - it is clean and a much more laid back atmosphere. I dont think they have a big boardwalk at all though...just a little town area...definitely does not compare to OC. It is pretty though and the beaches are nice and probably less crowded.

Hard decision really, have you checked prices...I feel like OC may be cheaper than DE?

Re: Ocean City, MD or other beach areas in MD/DE area???? Family friendly areas

We have a place in Bethany DE and used to have a place in OC. My mom lives in Bethany pretty much full time now and my aunt and uncle live in OC full time. Here is my take:
OC in the 100 blocks, realtors can help with this, are best for the beaches b/c many of the beaches in Bethany are private access so those that aren't are very crowded.
OC is best with kids on days not doing the beach: games, mini golf, rides, movies, Ripleys, Lifesaving museum, laser tag, etc. There is also a fabulous park at 123rd st (Northside Park)
Bethany is best with kids, particularly tweens, at night. Kids take over the 1 street that is the main drag of Bethany b/c parents feel it is safe to let them go on their own. Not much for them to do, there is one mini golf and 1 arcade. They just like to hang and eat and shop. The boardwalk of OC at night can get a little strange, so I wanted want to take kids there too late, and def. not let them be alone there.
Regardless of where you guy, there are so many family friendly free activities. Check the visitors centers, both towns have free concerts on the beach and boardwalk and Northside Park has free "Sundaes in the Park" every Sunday.
Enjoy and FM me if you have any specific questions.