Ocean City Boardwalk

The 3.6 kilometre wooden promenade along the southern end of the beach is the reason most visitors come to Ocean City, and it carries a large share of the more than eight million annual visitors the town receives. It runs from the inlet north to 27th Street, packed on its landward side with hotels, arcades, souvenir shops, bars, clubs, fudge and taffy counters, historic ice cream parlours and fast food stands, plus attractions such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not! and the Jolly Roger at the Pier and Trimper Rides amusement parks. Boardwalk fries, Thrasher's-style vinegar counters and Fisher's popcorn are institutions in their own right.

The structure has been destroyed by hurricanes several times, most recently by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and has been fully rebuilt each time.

Good to know:

• Busiest between late afternoon and midnight in summer; mornings are calm
• A tram runs the full length if you do not want to walk both ways
• Parking is easiest at the inlet lot at the southern end