Family Friendly Weekend Getaway in Ocean City, MD: Here's the Itinerary
When it comes to quick, family-friendly getaways, Ocean City, MD is one to add to the list! We recently spent 24 hours (not including travel time) soaking up the sun and making memories, and it was the perfect mini-vacation for our family of six. I actually hadn’t visited Ocean City in 20 years, so this was definitely a wonderful return to this Maryland gem. Here's a detailed itinerary of our family trip.
Day 1: Arrival and Beach Fun
Morning: On the Road
We left home around 9 AM and after a couple of stops, arrived in Ocean City at about 1 PM. Our first stop was the Cambria Hotel to check if our room was ready. Since we arrived before check-in time, we were told it would be a couple of hours before our room was available. This was fine because the beach was calling us.
Afternoon: Beach Time
Not wanting to waste any time, we quickly changed into our swimwear, parked at the hotel, and made the short 5-minute walk to the beach. The beach and boardwalk are perfectly located near the hotel, making it easy to get there with all our gear. And speaking of gear, here’s a list of items we brought.
Beach Essentials:
- Wagon for pulling items
- Stroller for the twins
- Cooler with drinks and snacks
- Sunblock
- Beach chairs
- Beach towels
- Beach ball and football
- Beach toys and bucket for sandcastles
- Swim diapers
- Swimwear cover-ups
We even rented an umbrella from a beach stand, which worked out great. Pro tip: bring cash in case your bank flags your card for a fraudulent purchase, which happened to me! Also, we’ll bring baby powder next time to help get the sand off the twins easier because sand was EVERYWHERE lol.
We spent a delightful three hours at the beach. All four of my kids loved watching the waves and feeling the sand between their toes. The beach is perfect for both tweens and toddlers, making it a great destination for families of all ages. The bucket of sand toys kept the twins occupied, and the bigs enjoyed building a sandcastle and running in the water. This was the twins' first time at the beach, and they loved it so much that it certainly won’t be their last.
Evening: Checking into Cambria Hotel
After our fun-filled beach day, we headed back to the Cambria Hotel Ocean City - Bayfront to check in and get settled. Our room was a good size and comfortable, perfect for our family. Built in 2021, the hotel offers modern amenities and a fresh, clean atmosphere. In short, this is an Ocean City hotel that I can stamp!
Hotel Highlights:
- Free parking
- On-site restaurant/bar
- Rooftop wine bar
- Meeting/event space
- Balcony rooms with a view of the bay
- Our room had two queen beds and a sofa bed, perfect for a family of 6, along with a microwave, mini-fridge, and a spacious bathroom
Dinner at de Lazy Lizard
Once we were all showered and changed, we walked next door to de Lazy Lizard Tiki Marina and Island Grill. When I say next door, I mean it literally—we could see it from our room. This restaurant had the perfect beachy vibe with open-air seating, a playground with sand, picturesque views of the bay, and a casual menu perfect for littles on up to adults. I had the salmon, and we all enjoyed our food, so I would definitely dine here again, especially given its proximity to the hotel and family-friendly atmosphere.
Night: Boardwalk and Jolly Roger at The Pier
After dinner, we walked to the boardwalk to take in the sights. The kids had a fun night at Jolly Roger right on the boardwalk. I got my kids the night rights armband so they could enjoy all the rides. There wasn't much for the twins to do, but the bigs had a ball. After about an hour, my husband and I divided and conquered. He stayed with the bigs so they could continue their fun, and I took the twins back to the hotel to get them snuggled in bed while I enjoyed some TV.
Day 2: Brunch and PLAY
Morning: Checking Out and Playground
The next day, we packed up, checked out, and then headed to the playground located a block or two over from the hotel. The spacious playground with lots of slides, swings and more was too perfect for the twins to let out some energy and have some fun. The bigs also enjoyed running around, too.
Afternoon: Brunch and Baja Amusements
After the playground, we headed to brunch at Barn 34. The line was wrapped around the building, so we took that as a sign that the food was good, but also that the wait would be long. To our surprise, it was less than a 20-minute wait. The cinnamon roll and French toast were delicious. I ordered the Big Wave, which came with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, choice of meat, and home fries or grits. The pancakes were just okay, so next time I'll get the waffle or French toast. Skyler, on the other hand, ate her entire pancake! After brunch, we went to Baja Amusements so the bigs could enjoy go-kart racing. The twins took a nap on the ride over, so it worked out perfectly, and I just sat in the car with them until hubby and the kids finished.
In just 24 hours (not including travel time), we packed in a ton of fun and created lasting memories. Ocean City is a fantastic destination for families, offering a perfect mix of beach relaxation and exciting activities. Although we only stayed for one night, we’re already planning to return for a longer stay.
I hope this recap helps you navigate a family trip to Ocean City with ease and inspires you to make the most of your summer! Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite spots in Ocean City or tips for traveling with kids. Happy summer adventures!
Keep glowing,
Shalyce