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Ocean City, Maryland is a popular New england beach destination having a long coastline, which makes it an ideal place to get your saltwater fix. This destination offers a selection of wheelchair accessibility, from beach wheelchairs and beach mats at a number of points along the coast for an ADA playground and hotels with accessible amenities. The boardwalk, casino, theme parks, and restaurants provide plenty to do for any stay associated with a length, whether you're looking to relax or want to explore all areas of Ocean City. Here is a wheelchair accessible help guide to the gorgeous destination referred to as Ocean City, Maryland –
Where to Stay
When planning your Ocean City trip, the first thing you'll probably wish to figure out is how to stay. There are a variety of great hotels in Ocean City, Maryland and many of them offer phenomenal wheelchair access. Here are some accommodations to consider:
1: Grand Hotel & Spa
The Grand Hotel & Spa has both bay view and partial view rooms with ADA amenities. There are compliant routes towards the room, in addition to accessible door locks, air controls, spacious bathrooms with complete access, and the furniture in the room is movable to meet your requirements. At the hotel itself, there's accessible parking for vans, along with ramps throughout the property to supply accessibility lobby, restaurant, and lounge. The parking dropoff point can be found near the doorway for simple ride sharing.
2: Carousel Oceanfront
Carousel Oceanfront is wheelchair accessible inside and outside with completely ADA compliant guest rooms, including spacious bathrooms. The amenities only at that hotel are wheelchair accessible as well, with highlights such as the indoor pool having a lift and 2 beach wheelchairs around the property. There's ramp access to the property, restaurant, and lounge, and accessible parking. This is a good option if you're looking for a resort style stay and want to enjoy everything on property.
3: Aloft Ocean City
Aloft Ocean City is a property that provides wheelchair accessible rooms complete with roll-in showers, accessible routes from the entrance towards the room, and 32 inch wide doorways. All of the public spaces are available, such as the pool. There is also accessible parking. This is a recommended hotel if you're looking to visit the casino on your stay.
Wheelchair Accessible Things you can do in Ocean City
1: Visit Ocean City Beach
The city is known for its location on the ocean, so the first stop in any trip to Ocean City must be the beach. Many of the hotels are right across the shore, giving visitors easy access not only to a specific beach location, but also amazing views from the water, including the sunrise or the sunset. Other activities, including dining at local restaurants and exploring the boardwalk give you more possibilities to go to the beach on your stay.
Ocean City works hard to make their city wheelchair accessible, including beach mats to help guests get to the beach, as well as beach wheelchairs. Beach mats are currently in use at 13 beach locations, with every ADA beach access location labeled having a blue street sign.
Each ADA beach access location also offers beach wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are available at lifeguard stations and could be requested by talking with a lifeguard or calling the assistance line. The majority of the beach is really a sandy stretch with water on one side and dunes across the other, giving visitors and beachgoers plenty of space to understand more about.
2: Ocean City Boardwalk and ADA Playground
Beyond the beach, there is plenty to understand more about at the Ocean City Boardwalk. This pedestrian walkway is really a series of wooden planks that separate the sandy beach and ocean shore from the wide range of shops and dining options.
Visiting the boardwalk is a superb way to get a concept of the layout and also the beach options, in addition to take in the view and explore the town. The boardwalk is popular throughout the day and well into the night, as many restaurants have outdoor dining, which includes live music and adult beverages. Many hotels are nearby, giving you a nice place to explore without needing to travel too far.
The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, as the pathway is mainly flat and wide enough for that traffic it typically sees on a daily basis. You will find beach access points along the boardwalk, but they may not be wheelchair accessible and could have steps to achieve the sand. The pathway is a total of three miles long, but there are lots of access points throughout, also it can be accessed by car too if you want to explore all 3 miles during your stay.
Another interesting wheelchair accessible attraction in Ocean City is the ADA playground. Located in North Side Park at 125th Street, this playground has a rubber safety surface and play elements on both walk out and above ground level. Using a play structure that gives use of both levels is a fun and unique way for the family to take a break from the beach and provide the children a place to experience. It's a great space for wheelchair users of all ages to interact as a family.
3: Ocean Downs Casino and Horse Racing
For some adult centered fun, consider visiting the Ocean Downs casino. This indoor venue provides you with a place to flee the heat and spend time playing slots, table games, and maybe even catching a horse race. The casino floor is 70,000 sq ft, with at least 514 machines to experience on based on when you visit. Horse racing can be seen trackside or in the Clubhouse inside, depending on when you visit. As well as the traditional casino games, there are also four different dining options.
The casino is wheelchair accessible with a large gaming floor and also the ability to sit at slots and table games from the wheelchair. The easiest method to be sure that your visit is completely accessible is to either call ahead or stop at guest services when you first arrive, as they possibly can frequently get you in the casino's club, which offers some free play credit and will advise you regarding any accessibility adjustments during your visit.
4: Frontier Town Western Theme Park
Frontier Town Western Theme Park is just as the name suggests, a nod towards the old West with a classic western town setup. This can be a fun place to visit for a day of Western festivities. The schedule gives you a breakdown of the main events, from the flag raising to a bank holdup, street show, dancing, and gunfight.
Located beyond Ocean City, this can be a fun place for the whole family to explore what life was as with the 1880s. There are gift shops and dining options too to provide a full day's price of activity and entertainment. Admission is around $7 per person for a day's fun, with an extra $2 per person for that panning for gold activity.
The western town is wheelchair accessible, because there are ramps in the ends from the storefronts, giving use of a raised plank walkway. The causes of the town are difficult packed dirt, which raises dust clouds while walking. The grounds may be more sandy depending on the weather. Other locations are accessed with grassy spaces and there is shade in several spots throughout the town.
5: Ripley's Surprisingly!
If you're into oddities, Ripley's Accept is as true or Not is the perfect stop during your remain in Ocean City. The Odditorium is full of unusual and unique displays, together with interactive exhibits where one can explore on another level as well as take photos of yourself with the display. There are 12 different themed galleries, therefore if you'd like to avoid seeing animals or any other topics, you may be in a position to avoid them. The galleries display over 500 different exhibits. This can be a great indoor experience for all ages, and is warm and friendly. The museum is situated directly on the boardwalk for a fun break from the beach or perhaps a great way to spend a special afternoon.
The wheelchair accessibility of Ripley's is comparable to many public museums and attractions. The exhibits are both wheelchair and stroller friendly, that is great for families so that you can explore comfortably. It comes with an elevator to provide use of all floors and exhibits. Ripley's does have on site parking, which is free from October to April and is also included on the Ocean City bus stops map, using the bus stop two blocks from the museum entrance.
6: Enjoy the Restaurants
Most of the dining options in Ocean City are across the boardwalk or have an amazing view of the ocean, which just adds a little more towards the experience when you are able overlook the water. These two restaurants are recommended in the region and provide you with a place to savor the local cuisine while visiting a stunning location on the water.
Bayside Skillet is situated at 77th street and Coastal Highway, directly on the bay in the city. This restaurant is originally known for its breakfast menu, but has since evolved to incorporate breakfast through dinner, open throughout the year. Strawberries really are a key ingredient here, and are the main inspiration for the pastel pink outdoors, in the bumpers to the awnings and outdoor umbrellas.
The view here's great inside and out, overlooking the bay. It's busy during sunset, so make sure to plan in advance and reserve an area. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with two ramps available at the primary entrance. Outdoor and indoor seating is available, with both shade and sun outside overlooking the water.
Hemingway's in the Coral Reef is located in the lobby of the Holiday Inn and Suites Ocean City, offering new dishes featuring a range of options including seafood. Hemingway's is right on the water with outdoor bar seating for any more enjoyable dining experience. Indoors, the dining is elevated and quiet, a great choice for a break in the boardwalk, while still experiencing the water. Recption menus does offer a lot of seafood, but there's something for everybody, together with a generous children's menu.
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible using the main entrance being through the lobby of the hotel. The restaurant is situated on the main floor and also the outdoor patio is on a single level because the indoor dining area.
How to obtain Around Ocean City inside a Wheelchair
1: ADA Paratransit Service
Ocean City takes pride in providing accessible ways for everyone to explore the city, including offering an ADA paratransit service to guests as well as residents. This is an origin to destination bus service, compared to their standard bus stop service, open to the ones that satisfy the ADA eligibility requirements. Pick ups should be scheduled one working day ahead of time to ensure the correct bus is scheduled for the route. This is an excellent starting point if you're searching to make use of the public transport service and aren't sure regarding their standard buses.
2: BayRunner Shuttle
Another transportation option beyond renting your own vehicle during your stay is the BayRunner Shuttle. Staying in Ocean City and exploring the boardwalk, beach, and restaurants may mean you don’t require a vehicle every single day. Aside from while using bus service, you should use the BayRunner Shuttle to venture to places like the Casino and Western Town. This is also a great service for getting back and forth from the airport to your hotel or holiday rental.
BayRunner Shuttle provides ADA complementary service to the guest that is unable to use their regularly scheduled fixed-route schedule. This service runs using the same days and hours because the fixed schedule, but could offer an origin to destination service with advanced notice.
There is a huge selection of things to do in Ocean City, Maryland. From warm and friendly activities like playing on the beach, going through the boardwalk, and visiting theme parks like Western Town and Ripley's, to adult centric fun at the casino, horse races, and upscale dining, Ocean City is clearly a wheelchair accessible destination with special focus on beach access. If you are seeking an accessible beach getaway on the east coast, your search is over!
