Our kids and Grandkids are in O.C. this week and tell us how busy it is now this week. We were surprised up till now how unbusy the town is as newcomers. Enjoying it immensely. Thanks for the efforts.
Great video as always Jay! I was in town for the holiday weekend, first time spending the 4th in OCMD. Fireworks were great, but man that's the worst traffic I've ever seen. I've seen busy restaurants before, but it seemed like everything had a minimum of 1.5 hours for dinner. Hoping for smaller crowds when I come back in August 😅
It honestly felt like the Memorial Day and 4th of July crowd all in 1! The week after the 4th was busy, but it's sloooooooooow now, back to what it was. I'm sure August will be totally different.
Me an the fam are heading down in September! Going to try crabbing at Northside Park. I love the off season rates after labor day. I love the channel. Good job guys.
The off-season rates are awesome! We call it locals summer. Everyone is still open and there no long lines! Thanks for watching and good luck crabbing!
Love the channel! Have loved OC since I was a child and now take my son there as much as possible. Just returned from another great OC trip. I love your content, and being to check in on the town. Keep it coming!
Holy Moly that traffic was insane!! Hence why we come down in the spring and fall. 😁Plus They are my favorite times of year to fish anyway.... win win scenario. Great video guys thanks for taking us along Seeya's next video.
Thanks Chris! I agree, fall is one of the best times here. It's my favorite time-the weather is cooler, the ocean is still warm and the fishing is great!
Thanks for the up date. We have not ventured out since Wednesday evening. We went up to the beach for a hour or so. On the way back traffic was crazy in that short of time. We live across from Papa Grande's on 54 people are driving crazy.
The traffic picked up FAST! We noticed it here too. Your area is a traffic nightmare with the single lane trying to get everyone into Fenwick/Bethany and Ocean City. Hope your having a good summer!
Not sure if you were around back then, but that Ace hardware used to be a rollerskating rink, and the original sound system still hangs from the ceiling!
We just got back. It was busiest for sure on the 4th. The beach at least on 4th st wasn't packed. I'm sure it was worse closer to the inlet. We loved every minute and already looking for next year to book.
@@ReelJayB my husband took your advice and brought our girls on the Ocean Princess. My daughter won heaviest fish with a sea bass. $130 too. We ate good that night and they had a great time.
Hey Jay, dippen dots ice cream was little dots of ice cream that was like dry ice. It would melt when you took a bite or licked it, not a favorite of mine or my wife even though it was popular for a while. Just give me some good old soft serve! Keep the videos coming, luv all of them.
I always styed away from OC during the summer unless it was going to a movie. lol The T-Shirt Factory, the signs they have on the building is basically what they sell with a lot of beach stuff. I went in that place once.
Don't blame you for staying away from OC for the 4th. We went to OC one time for the 4th. 4th was on weekend that year. Wasn't bad from sat to Tuesday. Wednesday it was like a stampede. By weekend it was wall to wall people. They were having fireworks on the beach so we drove down. Took 2 hrs to get out of parking lot. When we got back to high point South we found out our they also had fireworks on bay basically right across from us. Never again on the 4th.
We were there for the 4th of July. It was a mad house. They were charging any where from 80 - 100 dollars for parking on the 4th. We stayed at a condo on Jamestown road and didn't have to leave to see the fireworks they set off at 125th.
Wooooow! You sat for 35 more minutes than I would have! 🤣 it sounds like over the years they went downhill. My guess is newer restaurants with better quality came in....which is why the buffet style faded out.
@@ReelJayB Yup, was called "Christmas Spirit", open year round- considering it was on 34th street surprised it wasn't named "miracle on 34th" or something similar and catchy
I don''t know about less people. Tried to get into Rehoboth yesterday afternoon to see a movie after our boat ride was cancelled for rough seas. It took 40 minutes to go 20 miles. At 4pm It was backed up just after the bridge bumper to bumper and not moving all the way into Dewey. We turned around and decided to do Go-Karts. Was backed up bumper to bumper just before the Fenwick line and didn't ease up until almost 8pm. Only a few cars at a time got through a light cycle from Bethany all the way north. I asked around and people said they've never seen traffic that bad and I agree. Tried to get gas at Royal Farms in Fenwick and they were COMPLETELY out! This traffic was ON TOP of the sea of yellow flashing crosswalk lights that stayed on constantly from Bethany to Fenwick. People no longer wait for a break in traffic to cross, they hit the button and make people stop. That in itself is having a major affect on traffic in the beach towns.
That's one thing I never liked about DE, the pedestrians and the crosswalks. I've seen too many people almost get hit thinking cars will stop and they don't. It's definitely a busy holiday, traffic was at a stand still again today.
Nope, helmets are still required in MD. This is from the MVA: mva.maryland.gov/safety/Pages/motorcycle/protective-gear.aspx#:~:text=*In%20Maryland%2C%20individuals%20may%20not,they%20do%20not%20prevent%20crashes.
You guys are crazy going into town 🤣 I doubt we will head in until Monday or Tuesday. Just staying in good ole Glenriddle 👍Blu Fish is very good. Although Barn 34 is pretty good, I think it is somewhat overrated. Much prefer Bayside Skillet for Breakfast/brunch, we go there fairly often off season. The new "Margaritaville" hotel is not going to be owned by the Harrisons, but rather some developers from (I think) PA (the original owners of the development company were killed in an Airplane or helicopter crash last year IIRC). The Harrisons are fighting it tooth and nail! Of course it's alright for them to own several hotels that take up much and perhaps all of a block. They own (among others) he Hilton and the Doubletree at 34rd, along with the Courtyard on the boardwalk. All fairly large hotels. Anyway, thanks for the video, you saved m a trip into town! Nice drone shot at the end. PS, did you see the traffic cluster*** leaving the inlet lot last night after fireworks. It was still backed up a 1:30 (watching it on the webcam). Nuts!
HAHA you did the safe/sane thing by staying home! We were in traffic for a while! I saw the crowd watching the fireworks and the first thing I thought of was how everyone was going to leave OC. I didn't see the backup but can only imagine the nightmare!! Hope your having a good summer so far.
@@ReelJayB LOL, Jay, as you know, we are in the crazy weeks down here. We have visitors coming over the next few weeks,will likely not be able to avoid going in town. 😱😵💫🤪😂😂😂 We do put the top down and head down to Assateague in the evening to watch the sunset. Not to bad down there that time of day. I’m sure you guys are having a great summer with the boys 👍. Oh yeah, Dippin Dots are good. Little pellet sized ice cream balls. Bet the guys would like them.
@@MOMGATES09 can you have him email me? Yakattack0311@gmail.com I have a pretty busy schedule the next few weeks, but I'll see if I can sneak out for a bit.
So at the beginning of the video you mentioned Ocean City not being as full lately. Then towards the end of the video you said about the crazy high hotel prices. I believe that’s what’s keeping people away. I read on the WBOC news app that for Memorial Day Weekend they didn’t have the turnout they expected, and that there were a lot of hotel vacancies. They also interviewed the owner of The Salty Dog and Dry Dock 28 and he said he walked out onto his dining room floor that Friday at peak dinner time, and it was empty. I think OCMD may have finally hit the point of being too expensive. I have talked to sooooo many people that won’t go down because of the high prices, myself included, and I’m sure that’s what’s keeping people away. My Mom said she got an email the other weekend for The Grand Hotel for “35% off” and with that “discount” she said just for the weekend it still came out to $835! Needless to say they didn’t go. I miss the days when OCMD was affordable during the summer, but those days I believe are long gone… 😔
I agree to an extent. I believe the hotel prices are contributing to a lower turnout, but I think it's the overall costs of everything that have gone up. We went out to breakfast at Brass Balls a few weeks ago, the bill was $70! Another spot we like is Ropewalk....for my wife, me and my 2 kids, the bill is always around $150. Between the hotel and restaurant prices, it can quickly get expensive. What we've noticed is a lot more people renting houses outside of OC, or even staying in West OC where hotel prices are less.
@@ReelJayB yes I totally agree with what you just said. My wife and I were just at my Mother In Laws house on the 4th of July. She was telling us that when her and her husband went down to OCMD for the car show right before Memorial Day, they decided to eat at The 45th Street Taphouse. She was highly disappointed. She said that she got a crab cake, Cole slaw, and fries for $30-$35. She said the crab cake was extremely tiny, the coleslaw was served in what looked to be a cup that most places normally put a ranch dressing in, and the fries were cold. Her husband got the same meal but with 2 crab cakes (also very small) and that was $50-$55! She said between those 2 meals and they each got an alcoholic drink and with tip, it was $120! That was for 1 meal! Unfortunately everything is astronomically priced right now, and even more in tourist areas. If you wanna charge those prices, give people a good portion of food and don’t short them. Anyway I digress, what I’m getting at is everything everywhere is just too expensive and people just can’t afford vacations right now, which in turn is hurting Ocean City.
Honestly, the cost of a weekend stay in OC has gotten ridiculous. My wife and I use to visit OC at least 3-5 times a year. At $400-$500 a night now, and not much better in the off season, it is just not worth it. Now, we only visit for St. Patrick’s weekend and if we get a condo for a weeks long vacation.
We've seen over the years the offseason has been increasingly more busy. Even into the fall, we've seen a steady crowd around Halloween. Whats also been popular is people renting outside of Ocean City. There are a few houses in Ocean Pines around me that are summer rentals and some of the renters have told us they stay in Ocean Pines because of how much cheaper it is than a hotel in Ocean City.
Prices are outrageous, and the economy is crushed. People can't afford vacations. Hotel prices are cooked this year. Restaurants are insane too. I looked at a receipt from 2 years ago to the menu at a place online this year and the same burger is up $4. Fish tacos at another place up $6. $20 for a "sharable" small basket of fries. Might make a run in Sept after labor day to OC. Maybe also the Oct carshow as prices are reasonable for that time of year.
That's not traffic we made mistake of crabbing on Sunday at wye river rt 662 and 50 at college turn off before they put in traffic light it took us one hr to turn left to head to bay Bridge then we sat in 12 back up 6 hr drive to cross bridge so you don't crab on Sunday
Last time I set foot in OC was in 1979 for my highschool grad class parties.. we rented a beach condo with 3 bed rooms, balcony, and such for like 300$ in May for 5 days.. I am sure that building is gone, but it was the time when a house in OC was listed for 50k.. looks like hell on earth now.. trafic, hordes of people, trafic.. yuck. the only place I would recomend is camping on Assateague Island which has not changed much since I was there 50 years ago. No crowds, you can 4x4 down the beach and do some fishing.. but you will not find any tacky beach shops or eateries. just wind, surf, and some wild horses
A lot different today than back then. 8 to 10 million people visit here each year. Still a great time though. Weekends are usually busy, weekdays are a lot slower.
I swear the firehouse has the same architect as the Princess Royale. That picture of the beach is exactly why I go off season. It's not enjoyable at all when OC is that insanely crowded. And OC is just too expensive any more. Hotel rates are absurd, even mid week. Weekends are nearly double weekday rates. Then add in the cost of food everywhere, souvenirs, and anything you've done in the past like parasailing, jet ski rentals, OC Rocket, etc., even mini golf........if you have a family it is just out of the question for most people any more. I'm at the age now that if I have to spend that much in OC.....I'll just go to Bethany instead and relax. I loved Barn 34 when it was the Christmas Shop. I still have so many pretty decorations bought there over the years. Are Fat Daddy's and Buxy's still in business? Both of the owners are from my town originally. I knew both sets of their parents. I am not at all surprised that Margaritaville isn't happening. That has been dragging on for years. Jonah and The Whale restaurant ranked right up there with Paul Revere. Or right down there. lol Thanks for the update Jay. And tell Ashley she has pretty feet! lol
@@ReelJayB there crazy every where. the local condo rentals are still a good deal in OC most end up around 160 to 180 a night for week per person which is about what youd pay nice hotel.
I think OC needs more eating places and less condos and hotels. Everyone will miss Roses as going to Walmart from many parts of OC is too far with the all the traffic on RT 50 . Ocean City need to promote full time residence living in OC full time, especially the over 55 age crowd.. too many go to DE and FL.. and skip OC.
I agree to an extent. Ocean Pines is a large (mostly) retirement community and a lot leave to go to FL as well. DE has lower taxes, but those are slowly going up as NY and NJ people are moving there.
Maryland property taxes are high but if you live in Ocean City full time (making it your perm residence) you get a large break on taxes.. something like 50% off. I don't hear OC govt talking about this rule - Homestead tax credit. ... and constantly lose retirees and other people to southern DE. Delaware properties appear to be higher in price than MD. I would like to see OC zoning - force better laws when it coming to building new properties - spreading out the buildings with decent parking for larger cars - such as pickups and large SUV's....and offering tax breaks on property upgrades and improvements.
I was down for memorial weekend(Thursday-Tuesday) this year n The Tides Inn(which was The Executive) had rooms all weekend long😳. I’ve been staying there for over 12 years n I’ve never seen it have rooms available during memorial weekend. The beach wasn’t as full in previous years either. I even went to Fish Tales(had the best Mahi tacos ever while at Fish Tales)Saturday at 9:30pm n normally you’d never get a seat at the bar well, I had free range to any seat at the bar. When I talk to the bartender she said it feels as if we’re in a recession. I think it’s gotten too expensive for people to vacation there(OCMD). I work with guys who say it’s cheaper for them to take there family to Outter Banks.🤷
Memorial Day weekend was very odd. I flew my drone over Seacrets looking for the long line (like it is every year) but there wasn't a line at all. Like not even 1 or 2 people....we didn't even see anyone walking in. Very odd. This weekend it's crazy busy. But I agree, I think it's cost driving people away or at least changing their plans to visit in the off season. Glad you enjoyed Fish Tales, we love it there!
Hi great video! Thanks for all the updates
Our kids and Grandkids are in O.C. this week and tell us how busy it is now this week. We were surprised up till now how unbusy the town is as newcomers. Enjoying it immensely. Thanks for the efforts.
Dippin dots. Yum. Tiny ice cream balls. Unique texture.
Great video as always Jay! I was in town for the holiday weekend, first time spending the 4th in OCMD. Fireworks were great, but man that's the worst traffic I've ever seen. I've seen busy restaurants before, but it seemed like everything had a minimum of 1.5 hours for dinner. Hoping for smaller crowds when I come back in August 😅
It honestly felt like the Memorial Day and 4th of July crowd all in 1! The week after the 4th was busy, but it's sloooooooooow now, back to what it was. I'm sure August will be totally different.
Great video jay. I think it the prices this year
Me an the fam are heading down in September! Going to try crabbing at Northside Park. I love the off season rates after labor day. I love the channel. Good job guys.
The off-season rates are awesome! We call it locals summer. Everyone is still open and there no long lines! Thanks for watching and good luck crabbing!
Great views great updates - thanks for sharing !!!
really its good to see the town busy again! after a lot of lean years in the late 90's early 00's
Early summer was looking rough...it felt like hardly anyone was here.
Love the channel! Have loved OC since I was a child and now take my son there as much as possible. Just returned from another great OC trip. I love your content, and being to check in on the town. Keep it coming!
Thank you, I really appreciate it and hope you guys had a great time!
Holy Moly that traffic was insane!! Hence why we come down in the spring and fall. 😁Plus They are my favorite times of year to fish anyway.... win win scenario. Great video guys thanks for taking us along Seeya's next video.
Thanks Chris! I agree, fall is one of the best times here. It's my favorite time-the weather is cooler, the ocean is still warm and the fishing is great!
Thanks for the up date. We have not ventured out since Wednesday evening. We went up to the beach for a hour or so. On the way back traffic was crazy in that
short of time. We live across from Papa Grande's on 54 people are driving crazy.
The traffic picked up FAST! We noticed it here too. Your area is a traffic nightmare with the single lane trying to get everyone into Fenwick/Bethany and Ocean City. Hope your having a good summer!
Denny's was J/R's "south." and "don't forget the ONION LOAF!"
Not sure if you were around back then, but that Ace hardware used to be a rollerskating rink, and the original sound system still hangs from the ceiling!
That is AWESOME!!! It's before my time but I'm definitely going to be looking for the sound system when we go back!!
Blue Fish is awesome! Definitely give it a try!
We just got back. It was busiest for sure on the 4th. The beach at least on 4th st wasn't packed. I'm sure it was worse closer to the inlet. We loved every minute and already looking for next year to book.
Hope you had a great time! The inlet was packed, I heard further North wasn't so bad.
@@ReelJayB my husband took your advice and brought our girls on the Ocean Princess. My daughter won heaviest fish with a sea bass. $130 too. We ate good that night and they had a great time.
@@savagette74 no way!!!! Congrats!!! That's so awesome!
Dodo cookie dough is where the dippin dots on 127th Street used to be
Ahhhhh yes!!!! I knew someone would know! I totally forgot they were there. Thank you!!
We stayed on 2nd street last year. Made the mistake of going to crab alley on July 3rd. Tool us an hour to get home.
Great video!
Holy crap that's a looooong time to sit in traffic!
Hey Jay, dippen dots ice cream was little dots of ice cream that was like dry ice. It would melt when you took a bite or licked it, not a favorite of mine or my wife even though it was popular for a while. Just give me some good old soft serve! Keep the videos coming, luv all of them.
Ahhhh I gotcha. In that case, I agree.....give me the soft serve too!
We tried Jackspot. Was one of the better meals we had while in OC
I always styed away from OC during the summer unless it was going to a movie. lol The T-Shirt Factory, the signs they have on the building is basically what they sell with a lot of beach stuff. I went in that place once.
No thanks to many people never do the fourth. Glad ya guys had a 4th.🎉
Thanks for the video update and yes I had a great 4 of July I had about the sinkhole at the 90 bridge look like it was in the shoulder
That's what I thought too when I saw thr picture. I wonder how deep the hole was??
@@ReelJayB I was wondering about that too because I saw that round afternoon news
Traffic arial was cool!
Thank you!!
Dippin dots are good, but a cup of them equal about 1/4 cup of actual ice cream lol. They were on the board walk also… they are everywhere!
Don't blame you for staying away from OC for the 4th. We went to OC one time for the 4th. 4th was on weekend that year. Wasn't bad from sat to Tuesday. Wednesday it was like a stampede. By weekend it was wall to wall people. They were having fireworks on the beach so we drove down. Took 2 hrs to get out of parking lot. When we got back to high point South we found out our they also had fireworks on bay basically right across from us. Never again on the 4th.
We were there for the 4th of July. It was a mad house. They were charging any where from 80 - 100 dollars for parking on the 4th. We stayed at a condo on Jamestown road and didn't have to leave to see the fireworks they set off at 125th.
You had the perfect spot to see the fireworks!! It was crazy for sure. I was just down at the inlet fishing, it's not nearly as bad now.
@ReelJayB wish I was still there. I'm thinking of doing a weekend trip. Leave Pa early on a Saturday and fish all day then come home at night.
It was a yogurt ice cream place by Ledos
When I went to Jonah to eat two years ago I got my soda ordered and I sat for 40 minutes got up and left.
Wooooow! You sat for 35 more minutes than I would have! 🤣 it sounds like over the years they went downhill. My guess is newer restaurants with better quality came in....which is why the buffet style faded out.
@@ReelJayB it helped I was exhausted
Barn 34 used to be a Christmas store!
Was it? I remember a Christmas store next to Hooked, I didn't know they had 2.
@@ReelJayB Yup, was called "Christmas Spirit", open year round- considering it was on 34th street surprised it wasn't named "miracle on 34th" or something similar and catchy
The ‘Big Easy’ is the New Orleans Jazz place that replaced Hall’s
Yeah!! We couldn't remember the name, all I could remember was it was Louisiana inspired. Good memory!
We went to Ripienos for pizza. Wood fired and was excellent 👌
Touch Of Italy and Ripienos are my favorite!
Dang!!! I love Dippin Dots and I was staying on 139th St! Would have gotten my fix had I known 😭😭
Now you have me curious to see if it's good! 😄
Heard that the Plaza owners condo association was not renewing the lease for Jungle Bar as to the reason they were closing.
Wow! I figured he was maybe retiring. Dang that sucks. Thanks for letting me know.
I don''t know about less people. Tried to get into Rehoboth yesterday afternoon to see a movie after our boat ride was cancelled for rough seas. It took 40 minutes to go 20 miles. At 4pm It was backed up just after the bridge bumper to bumper and not moving all the way into Dewey. We turned around and decided to do Go-Karts. Was backed up bumper to bumper just before the Fenwick line and didn't ease up until almost 8pm. Only a few cars at a time got through a light cycle from Bethany all the way north. I asked around and people said they've never seen traffic that bad and I agree. Tried to get gas at Royal Farms in Fenwick and they were COMPLETELY out! This traffic was ON TOP of the sea of yellow flashing crosswalk lights that stayed on constantly from Bethany to Fenwick. People no longer wait for a break in traffic to cross, they hit the button and make people stop. That in itself is having a major affect on traffic in the beach towns.
That's one thing I never liked about DE, the pedestrians and the crosswalks. I've seen too many people almost get hit thinking cars will stop and they don't. It's definitely a busy holiday, traffic was at a stand still again today.
Jay do you ever fish that spot right above the 50 Bridge where you drove under?
Yup! Not often, only a few times and got bites. It's crowded sometimes so if no one is there I'll try it.
Was Hall's previously The Big Easy?
It was Halls, then went to Big Easy. The Big Easy only lasted a few years and then they went out of business.
Barn 34 is “not” overrated! Phenomenal breakfast and dinner as well….
I've seen people post pictures and it looks awesome! We'll have to rbave the wait time someday and give it a try. Thanks for letting me know!
I always go early when they open for breakfast….usually isn’t a line at opening time
@@ReelJayB It's slightly overrated. You should try Surfside Rooster in West Ocean City if you haven't.
I heard they lifted the helmet law in Maryland now I was shocked to hear that
Nope, helmets are still required in MD. This is from the MVA: mva.maryland.gov/safety/Pages/motorcycle/protective-gear.aspx#:~:text=*In%20Maryland%2C%20individuals%20may%20not,they%20do%20not%20prevent%20crashes.
@@ReelJayB that’s funny overheard a conversation at work just 2 days ago with 2 motorists saying it was legal now and I couldn’t believe it
you say sodel took over cottage cafe in bethany?
Yeah. He still owns the Bethany Boathouse, but SoDel runs Cottage Cafe.
You guys are crazy going into town 🤣 I doubt we will head in until Monday or Tuesday. Just staying in good ole Glenriddle 👍Blu Fish is very good. Although Barn 34 is pretty good, I think it is somewhat overrated. Much prefer Bayside Skillet for Breakfast/brunch, we go there fairly often off season. The new "Margaritaville" hotel is not going to be owned by the Harrisons, but rather some developers from (I think) PA (the original owners of the development company were killed in an Airplane or helicopter crash last year IIRC). The Harrisons are fighting it tooth and nail! Of course it's alright for them to own several hotels that take up much and perhaps all of a block. They own (among others) he Hilton and the Doubletree at 34rd, along with the Courtyard on the boardwalk. All fairly large hotels. Anyway, thanks for the video, you saved m a trip into town! Nice drone shot at the end. PS, did you see the traffic cluster*** leaving the inlet lot last night after fireworks. It was still backed up a 1:30 (watching it on the webcam). Nuts!
HAHA you did the safe/sane thing by staying home! We were in traffic for a while! I saw the crowd watching the fireworks and the first thing I thought of was how everyone was going to leave OC. I didn't see the backup but can only imagine the nightmare!! Hope your having a good summer so far.
@@ReelJayB LOL, Jay, as you know, we are in the crazy weeks down here. We have visitors coming over the next few weeks,will likely not be able to avoid going in town. 😱😵💫🤪😂😂😂 We do put the top down and head down to Assateague in the evening to watch the sunset. Not to bad down there that time of day. I’m sure you guys are having a great summer with the boys 👍. Oh yeah, Dippin Dots are good. Little pellet sized ice cream balls. Bet the guys would like them.
New hotel still a go next to oceanic and coast guard station?
So far yes. Last I heard he was waiting for a while before starting the build, he has some other things going on he wanted to finish.
@@ReelJayB my son 22 United States Air Force wants to know if you all could meet up and take him fishing ??
@@MOMGATES09 can you have him email me? Yakattack0311@gmail.com I have a pretty busy schedule the next few weeks, but I'll see if I can sneak out for a bit.
@@ReelJayB thanks just gave it to him.
So at the beginning of the video you mentioned Ocean City not being as full lately. Then towards the end of the video you said about the crazy high hotel prices. I believe that’s what’s keeping people away. I read on the WBOC news app that for Memorial Day Weekend they didn’t have the turnout they expected, and that there were a lot of hotel vacancies. They also interviewed the owner of The Salty Dog and Dry Dock 28 and he said he walked out onto his dining room floor that Friday at peak dinner time, and it was empty. I think OCMD may have finally hit the point of being too expensive. I have talked to sooooo many people that won’t go down because of the high prices, myself included, and I’m sure that’s what’s keeping people away. My Mom said she got an email the other weekend for The Grand Hotel for “35% off” and with that “discount” she said just for the weekend it still came out to $835! Needless to say they didn’t go. I miss the days when OCMD was affordable during the summer, but those days I believe are long gone… 😔
I agree to an extent. I believe the hotel prices are contributing to a lower turnout, but I think it's the overall costs of everything that have gone up. We went out to breakfast at Brass Balls a few weeks ago, the bill was $70! Another spot we like is Ropewalk....for my wife, me and my 2 kids, the bill is always around $150. Between the hotel and restaurant prices, it can quickly get expensive. What we've noticed is a lot more people renting houses outside of OC, or even staying in West OC where hotel prices are less.
@@ReelJayB yes I totally agree with what you just said. My wife and I were just at my Mother In Laws house on the 4th of July. She was telling us that when her and her husband went down to OCMD for the car show right before Memorial Day, they decided to eat at The 45th Street Taphouse. She was highly disappointed. She said that she got a crab cake, Cole slaw, and fries for $30-$35. She said the crab cake was extremely tiny, the coleslaw was served in what looked to be a cup that most places normally put a ranch dressing in, and the fries were cold. Her husband got the same meal but with 2 crab cakes (also very small) and that was $50-$55! She said between those 2 meals and they each got an alcoholic drink and with tip, it was $120! That was for 1 meal! Unfortunately everything is astronomically priced right now, and even more in tourist areas. If you wanna charge those prices, give people a good portion of food and don’t short them. Anyway I digress, what I’m getting at is everything everywhere is just too expensive and people just can’t afford vacations right now, which in turn is hurting Ocean City.
Honestly, the cost of a weekend stay in OC has gotten ridiculous. My wife and I use to visit OC at least 3-5 times a year. At
$400-$500 a night now, and not much better in the off season, it is just not worth it. Now, we only visit for St. Patrick’s weekend and if we get a condo for a weeks long vacation.
We've seen over the years the offseason has been increasingly more busy. Even into the fall, we've seen a steady crowd around Halloween. Whats also been popular is people renting outside of Ocean City. There are a few houses in Ocean Pines around me that are summer rentals and some of the renters have told us they stay in Ocean Pines because of how much cheaper it is than a hotel in Ocean City.
Prices are outrageous, and the economy is crushed. People can't afford vacations. Hotel prices are cooked this year. Restaurants are insane too. I looked at a receipt from 2 years ago to the menu at a place online this year and the same burger is up $4. Fish tacos at another place up $6. $20 for a "sharable" small basket of fries. Might make a run in Sept after labor day to OC. Maybe also the Oct carshow as prices are reasonable for that time of year.
Look at all those people on the beach though.
That's not traffic we made mistake of crabbing on Sunday at wye river rt 662 and 50 at college turn off before they put in traffic light it took us one hr to turn left to head to bay Bridge then we sat in 12 back up 6 hr drive to cross bridge so you don't crab on Sunday
Last time I set foot in OC was in 1979 for my highschool grad class parties.. we rented a beach condo with 3 bed rooms, balcony, and such for like 300$ in May for 5 days.. I am sure that building is gone, but it was the time when a house in OC was listed for 50k.. looks like hell on earth now.. trafic, hordes of people, trafic.. yuck. the only place I would recomend is camping on Assateague Island which has not changed much since I was there 50 years ago. No crowds, you can 4x4 down the beach and do some fishing.. but you will not find any tacky beach shops or eateries. just wind, surf, and some wild horses
A lot different today than back then. 8 to 10 million people visit here each year. Still a great time though. Weekends are usually busy, weekdays are a lot slower.
I swear the firehouse has the same architect as the Princess Royale. That picture of the beach is exactly why I go off season. It's not enjoyable at all when OC is that insanely crowded. And OC is just too expensive any more. Hotel rates are absurd, even mid week. Weekends are nearly double weekday rates. Then add in the cost of food everywhere, souvenirs, and anything you've done in the past like parasailing, jet ski rentals, OC Rocket, etc., even mini golf........if you have a family it is just out of the question for most people any more. I'm at the age now that if I have to spend that much in OC.....I'll just go to Bethany instead and relax. I loved Barn 34 when it was the Christmas Shop. I still have so many pretty decorations bought there over the years. Are Fat Daddy's and Buxy's still in business? Both of the owners are from my town originally. I knew both sets of their parents. I am not at all surprised that Margaritaville isn't happening. That has been dragging on for years. Jonah and The Whale restaurant ranked right up there with Paul Revere. Or right down there. lol Thanks for the update Jay. And tell Ashley she has pretty feet! lol
Hotel rates are CRAZY!! I'm sure there are cheaper ones around, but anything $350+ to me is extremely high. I'll let her know about her feet hahaha
@@ReelJayB there crazy every where. the local condo rentals are still a good deal in OC most end up around 160 to 180 a night for week per person which is about what youd pay nice hotel.
I think OC needs more eating places and less condos and hotels. Everyone will miss Roses as going to Walmart from many parts of OC is too far with the all the traffic on RT 50 . Ocean City need to promote full time residence living in OC full time, especially the over 55 age crowd.. too many go to DE and FL.. and skip OC.
I agree to an extent. Ocean Pines is a large (mostly) retirement community and a lot leave to go to FL as well. DE has lower taxes, but those are slowly going up as NY and NJ people are moving there.
Maryland property taxes are high but if you live in Ocean City full time (making it your perm residence) you get a large break on taxes.. something like 50% off. I don't hear OC govt talking about this rule - Homestead tax credit. ... and constantly lose retirees and other people to southern DE. Delaware properties appear to be higher in price than MD. I would like to see OC zoning - force better laws when it coming to building new properties - spreading out the buildings with decent parking for larger cars - such as pickups and large SUV's....and offering tax breaks on property upgrades and improvements.
I was down for memorial weekend(Thursday-Tuesday) this year n The Tides Inn(which was The Executive) had rooms all weekend long😳. I’ve been staying there for over 12 years n I’ve never seen it have rooms available during memorial weekend. The beach wasn’t as full in previous years either. I even went to Fish Tales(had the best Mahi tacos ever while at Fish Tales)Saturday at 9:30pm n normally you’d never get a seat at the bar well, I had free range to any seat at the bar. When I talk to the bartender she said it feels as if we’re in a recession. I think it’s gotten too expensive for people to vacation there(OCMD). I work with guys who say it’s cheaper for them to take there family to Outter Banks.🤷
Memorial Day weekend was very odd. I flew my drone over Seacrets looking for the long line (like it is every year) but there wasn't a line at all. Like not even 1 or 2 people....we didn't even see anyone walking in. Very odd. This weekend it's crazy busy. But I agree, I think it's cost driving people away or at least changing their plans to visit in the off season. Glad you enjoyed Fish Tales, we love it there!