Who says you can’t get away to the beach in the winter? Sometimes, it’s more fun that way! Even though you can’t spend time on the beach or in the ocean (well, you can, but we don’t recommend it), there’s a lot for your family to enjoy during a December trip “downy oshun.” Here are five activities we recommend:
Winterfest
This lights display at the 58-acre Northside Park is open through Dec. 31, with the chance to walk through it from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every evening. The park is truly a winter wonderland that will put you in the holiday spirit. Want to add a level of excitement to your visit? Take advantage of these special occasions:
Enchanted Evenings
Dec. 1, 8-9 & 15
Rent a horse-drawn carriage to ride through the light show in style.
Fire & Ice Nights
Fridays and Saturdays
Bonfires, food trucks and live entertainment add to the atmosphere.
ococean.com/winterfest
Ocean City Christmas Parade
Ocean City’s signature holiday event returns for its 42nd year Dec. 6, starting at 11 a.m. Bring your chairs and set up to watch along the parade route on Old Landing Road north to 120th Street — though you might want to get there well ahead of start time to stake out your spot. Expect appearances from all your favorite holiday characters, festive music and dazzling floats. Family-friendly entertainment and an awards presentation follows at the Carousel Resort Hotel.
oceancitymd.gov
Ice Skating at Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums
You don’t even have to be a guest at the Carousel Resort’s oceanfront hotel to use the famous indoor ice rink. The hotel’s got skate rentals, and you can loop around the rink to your heart’s content.
Bonus tip: All that skating is bound to work up an appetite. Be sure to stop by one of Carousel’s on-site restaurants. There’s the Atrium Bistro right next to the rink where you can get lots of grab-and-go favorites like hot chocolate, candy, popcorn, hot pretzels, ice cream and doughnuts. For something more substantial, we recommend the Reef, which has kid-pleasing pizzas for a reasonable price.
carouselhotel.com
Indoor Arcades and Mini Golf
During your summer trips, you probably like to hit up the arcade or play a round of mini golf. Guess what? You can still do those things during the winter. The Fun City Arcade is open from 9 a.m. to midnight and Old Pro Golf has indoor year-round putt-putt courses at 68th Street (Undersea Adventure) and 136th Street (Safari Village).
funcityoc.com and oldprogolf.com
New Year’s Eve in Berlin
Planning your Ocean City trip over New Year’s Eve? Only 10 minutes away is the quaint, cozy city of Berlin, which does a New Year’s Eve celebration in its picturesque downtown district. There’s family-friendly music and activities, and you don’t even have to stay up until midnight — the ball drops at 6 p.m., when it’s midnight in Berlin, Germany.
berlinmainstreet.com
