Ocean city MD vs. Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is the same with hotels and t-shirt shops lining the beach. If there was an open place to build, the city allowed it. And traffic in the Tidewater area is horrendous. There are many things to do in the Tidewater area but travel is involved with the horrendous traffic. Lived in the area for about 20 years and glad I no longer live there. We do go there every year because family still lives in the area.

I've never been to Virginia Beach but we visited ocean city while staying at Assateague island last summer. Aside from sand, there's not much nature at ocean city. It's hotel after hotel after hotel. All sandwiched together. I wouldn't go back. Assateague island was blissfully opposite. Few crowds and just peaceful.

Been to both several times, Frontiertown in Ocean City and Holiday Travel Park in Virginia Beach. We like both but prefer Ocean City because although both offer plenty to do, it's easier to get around, , less congested than VA Beach, and a lot closer to home. Been to Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach twice just like you and we love that as well.

Take the chance and try Ocean City at either Castaways, Fort Whaley, or Frontiertown, you wont be regret your decision, and I bet you will want to return again.

I wonder if I should just trek further south and go to Mrytle beach. I know I like that since I've been there several times.

Ocean City is a pretty big ocean town. Long boardwalk, lots of bars, restaurants, tee-shirt shops and other beach town ****. Ocean City itself is very crowded, lots of cars, lots of traffic, hard to find parking. There is an amusement park on the south end of the boardwalk. In the Ocean City area are some kid amusement places, movie theaters, mini golf, malls, etc.

We usually stay further north in Delaware. Before we had kids the wife and I would usually drive down one afternoon to Ocean City to grab dinner and walk around the south end of the boardwalk one evening. Usually one night of that was more than enough for us. Lots of teens and early 20's kids. Lots of alcohol induced stupidity. Lots of cussing and fighting. Not very family friendly in the evening or night time hours.

If you get there and decide you are bored or not liking what is available to you, its a short ride to Fenwick Island (15 minutes), Bethany Beach (30 minutes), Dewey Beach (35 minutes), Rehoboth Beach (40 minutes) and Lewes (an hour). Each of these locations is uniquely different and you should be able to find something to entertain you in one of these areas for 5 days.

I would hate to travel all that distance to be disappointed

So what is there to do in or around ocean city? I am planning on a full week towards the end of June. Is there enough to see and do or will I be bored after a few days?

My preference is OC; I usually stay at Asseteague (which is sensational) and drive up to OC when we want to; The beaches are great and OC is big in comparison. The biggest turn-off at Virginia Beach is the sound of the jets which can start at 8AM on Monday morning; The after-burners on the jets can be ear-piercing at times. I moved after 2 days......

VB is also an extra 3? hours of driving and you have to cross the Bay Bridge and then fight the traffic along the northern coast (Cape Henry??);

Water temps should be about the same and weather should be nice;

Haven't been to Ocean City in some years, but the beach is lined with high-rise hotels & condos, which along with day-use visitors, can make for a pretty crowded beach. The boardwalk may outweigh this consideration for some. Virginia Beach is a little less congested, IMHO, although it's been some years since I've been there, too. I much prefer Assateague State Park, just south of Ocean City. Only a handful of people in an area that would have hundreds or thousands at either Ocean City or Virginia Beach, but close enough to Ocean City that you could drive over to stroll the boardwalk in the evening. Probably too late to get into the electric loop in June, unless you stumble into a cancelation, but if you can get by on generator hours, there might be openings in the other loops. The adjacent National Park might have openings, but no hook-ups or hot showers there.

If you enjoy fighter jets flying low overhead throughout the day and early evening then go to Virginia Beach. It can get fairly loud at times.