For the first time ever, the NCAA had to cancel its March Madness basketball tournaments. But here at Vantage, we’re not ready to abandon bracket battles altogether.
So we set up our own tournament of sorts, with the goal of crowning the best of the best in Ocean City, Maryland, and the Delaware beaches in several categories. Categories of our favorite places include:
- Pizza
- Dessert/Ice Cream
- Cocktails
- Family Friendly Activity
- Seafood
- Rainy Day Activity
Our all-star team included Vantage’s top tastemakers and influencers who pitted their leading contenders head-to-head. The team included:
Tyshena Williams, Sales and Reservation Coordinator
Spencer Noel, Business Development Coordinator
Kirsten Brink, Director of Operations
Patricia Clark, Portfolio Services Coordinator
This was no slam dunk for any category. Ocean City, Maryland, and the Delaware Beaches are known for world-class dining and entertainment. After going through several rounds, the team ended up selecting a few champions for each category.
See if your favorite places made the cut. Or get some new ideas for the next time you’re in town. Really, you can’t lose!
Best Pizza
Pizza is a staple of the vacation diet, whether you order delivery to your Vantage rental home or you head out to share a pie together. You’ll find several delicious pizza options in every Ocean City neighborhood. Our staff says head to these shops for a slice of the good stuff:
- Lombardi’s Trattoria
- Pizza Mambo
- Fox’s Pizza (Fenwick Island)
- Ken’s Bayside (Fenwick Island)
Best Dessert/Ice Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream because the pavement’s hot and our feet are burning. So it must be time to get a soothing frozen treat. Ice cream in Ocean City is a great choice after, before or even as your dinner. Go ahead, you’re on vacation!
In a cone, cup, boat or float, the Vantage team says you can’t go wrong with these choices:
- Dairy Queen
- Blue Scoop (Delaware)
- Dumser’s Dairyland
Best Cocktails
Ice cream is one form of cold treat. Cocktails are another. Whether you’re in the mood for some live music and a cold craft beer on tap or a margarita big enough to swim in, these Ocean City-area watering holes will do the trick every time:
- High Stakes (Fenwick Island)
- Ropewalk
- Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill
- The Bearded Clam
Best Family Friendly Activity
Ocean City is a playground for kids of all ages. Building sandcastles on the beach, riding waves and hunting for shells are tried and true family favorites. When you’re looking for something a little different, the Vantage team has a few ideas for where to make memories:
- Laser tag
- Water park and go-carts at the Fenwick Island Boardwalk
- Jolly Roger Amusements
- Alley Oops
- Assateague Island
Best Seafood
It’s just not a trip to the beach until you treat yourself to succulent backfin crab meat dripped in melted butter, fresh fish, juicy shrimp and other bounties from the sea. Tie on your bib and bring your appetite to these staff favorites:
- Phillips
- Just Hooked (Fenwick Island)
- Crabs to Go (West Ocean City)
- Oceans 13
Best Rainy-Day Activity
We prefer fun in the sun, but even Ocean City gets rainy days. Don’t let the weather wash away your good time. Check out one of these sheltered activities whenever the clouds roll in:
- Shopping at Tangier Outlets
- Indoor mini golf
- Flagship Premium Cinemas (West Ocean City)
- Alley Oops
Everybody wins when you Vacation in Ocean City, MD
It wasn’t easy narrowing down our lists to include just a few champions per category. Ocean City is full of amazing places to eat, drink, shop and play. Because we live and work here, we’re always happy to share our favorite picks to make your stay even more enjoyable.
Make plans now to visit your favorite places and discover new ones. Book a rental home direct with Vantage to avoid extra fees. And call our team anytime for recommendations at (410) 723-2002.
Travel Guide
If you’re planning a trip to Ocean City, then you don’t want to leave without checking out our free Travel Guide. We filled it with additional local recommendations for watersports, restaurants, shops, events, and more. Take a look now!
About Vantage
Founded in 2007, Vantage Vacation Rentals specializes in delivering exceptional experiences for both vacation property owners and their rental guests in popular Maryland destinations such as Ocean City, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Delaware beaches and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Vantage serves owners with extensive property marketing and promotion as well as comprehensive property management services to help maximize rental income opportunities. With over 550 managed properties, Vantage makes it easy for vacationing guests to find and reserve the perfect option—then enhances their stay with exclusive benefits and discounts. To learn more about Vantage Vacation Rentals, visit VantageOceanCity.com, VantageMyrtleBeach.com, VantageDelawareBeaches.com, VantageAnnapolis.com, and EasternShoreVacations.com.