Bay-Front Hotel Steps from Atlantic Ocean

Dating back to 1902, the Ocean City Boardwalk packs candy shops, art galleries, restaurants, gift stores, an amusement park, and even a 1912 carousel along a 2.5-mile stretch of Atlantic Ocean beachfront. While hundreds of thousands converge on the skinny stretch of eastern Maryland shoreline during the summer, the boardwalk has a more subdued atmosphere during the rest of the year, when visitors play games at several arcades and check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Sitting near the Isle of Wight Bay just a few miles north, The Coconut Malorie Resort makes for an excellent home base for exploring Ocean City’s signature coastline.

Beyond the resort's lobby—which features marble floors, a waterfall, and a chandelier—The Coconut Malorie Resort's guest rooms come furnished with new bedspreads, curtains, and artwork. For a romantic getaway, the hotel recommends staying in a studio suite for its expansive bay-front views; those looking for extra space might prefer the one-bedroom suite. At the top of the five-story hotel, a tower provides sensational views of the Atlantic Ocean, which lies just two blocks east. A footbridge connects the resort to Fager's Island's entertainment complex, where DJs, live bands, and octogenarian dance troupes perform on the weekends. Diners can sample surf 'n' turf at Fager's fine-dining restaurant.

Ocean City, Maryland: Quiet Marshes and Bustling Boardwalk next to Atlantic

Located on Maryland’s eastern shore, Ocean City draws crowds to its 2.5-mile wooden boardwalk, named one of the "10 great places to have some fun on a boardwalk" by USA Today. Here, candy shops craft creamy fudge and molasses taffy while local fisheries bring in fresh scallops, lobster, and crab. Kids can ride the ferris wheel and play the antique clown-head water-balloon race game at Trimper's Amusement Park, which has brightened the coastline for more than 100 years. Escape the crowds at Assateague Island National Seashore, a 37-mile stretch of salt marshes running from Ocean City down to Virginia. Seaside forests along the way create a scenic setting for bird watching and hiking.