Fun
* Boardwalk : At Trimper Amusements (South 1st Street and the Boards, trimpersrides.com), founded in the 1800s, one can ride a pig, lion or ostrich on the antique menagerie carousel, or swoosh through the air on the Ferris wheel, which sparkles with lights at night. And how's this for a recession buster: Single tickets for rides are 50 cents each.
* Birding: Besides 10 miles of clean beaches, dolphin- and whale-watching off the coast, Ocean City's back bays are great for bird-watching, yielding sightings of herons, pelicans and egrets, to name a few species. And bird-watching is free.
* Parks: The town's also home to a host of public spaces with nature trails, playgrounds and spots to say, shoot hoops, or play a round of golf. Golf Digest has rated the town's Eagle's Landing course one of the top public facilities in the country. While there are greens fees to pay there, most of the town's recreational sites are free.
To watch a gorgeous sunset, pack a picnic basket and head to the aptly named Sunset Park at the south end of town. Northside Park on 127th Street and the bay is a 58-acre complex with softball/baseball fields, a fishing lagoon, walking and jogging paths, a picnic area and tot lots. The Isle of Wight park between the two Route 90 bridges has bay views and picnic tables.
* Fishing pier: Ocean City, known as the "White Marlin Capital of the World," also boasts bountiful waters for fishing, and no license is needed. Fishing enthusiasts can visit four public fishing piers.
For boaters, there are three public boating ramps. The beaches also have more than a dozen volleyball courts set up for anyone who wants to play. Public tennis courts can be reserved all summer at sites around town. Contact the Ocean City Parks and Recreation Department at 410-250-0125 or ococean.com/parks.html.
Shopping
* Ocean City Factory Outlets : (in West Ocean City) is a discount shopper's paradise with stores ranging from Bass (shoes) to Calvin Klein (apparel), and also offering houseware shops and eateries. Something new: The Original Smith Island Cake Co. is a gourmet dessert and coffee cafe slated to open this spring. It will be offering 15 percent off coupons to Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau members. originalsmithislandcakeco.com.
