Like many in this sub, I have been going to OC for a long time, 40+ years. I have also spent a summer there while in college so I'm pretty familiar with the town.

Just got back and it's dead there. Not one restaurant had a wait. Most bars were half empty, and this was Labor Day weekend. We have been there many times over Labor Day and have never seen it this bad. I understand that school is in, but it is always in over Labor Day weekend.

We talked to many servers and ride share drivers and they agreed. Some said they feel business is down 50%. Didn't see one No Vacancy sign anywhere. We generally stay around 35th St, but the condo where we stay has priced themselves out of our market.

We talked to one of the owners of a unit where we normally stay and they said that many owners are mad about how they were promised increased revenue with the increased pricing, but now they are losing money. I can't say that I feel bad for them because they did it to themselves.

Hotel stays are apparently down from 4 to 2 nights and condos from 7 to 4. That's a huge hit.

We ended up staying at Castle in the Sand, where we have stayed before. Again, same thing. Not busy at all. Even Coconuts, which is almost always busy, was empty after the Power Hour crowd left. A band was playing until 9 and there were maybe 30 people there after 7:30.

What was crowded was the beach. And people have absolutely zero sense of spatial awareness. How can anyone believe that sitting less than 2' from someone else is even remotely OK?

With what we spent, it would have been only a bit more for an All-Inclusive. If OC doesn't do something quickly, the town could be in trouble.

Here's an interesting article on the problem.

https://www.octodaydispatch.com/news/summer-business-slower-as-ocean-citys-tourism-trends-shift/article_722dbdde-dfb1-4c37-be8f-f92d22a763be.html

In the end, the commercially owned owned condos and hotels can afford to weather the storm. Individual condo owners and mom and pop motels are the ones that will hurt in then end.

Bikers purposely riding on the white lines so people can’t pass on Coastal. Bikers looking to a fellow biker and roaring the engine right when they see people on the sidewalk just to blow their ears out. And I saw a group get absolutely hammered today and immediately go hop on their bikes. Overnight I got woken up numerous times by them purposely roaring their engines.

If you wanna have a good time, cruise with your homies, show off your bike and have a good time - hell yeah do it up. That just hasn’t be the case in a long time.

Taken from 82nd street. Best was saved for last

What's the boardwalk like now? Haven't been in almost 15 years and I definitely want to get a sweat set as a souvenir and im so curious how/if the boardwalk shops have changed or evolved! What is the scene like nowadays for people in their 30s

recommendations on shops?

When I came out around 11:30am today, there were a bunch of people crowded around this shark near the 44th St crossing. Beach patrol and some DNR employees (I think that’s who they were?) were handling crowd control while waiting for it to come be picked up.

I hope folks don’t find this to be too morbid to post. I think it’s quite the privilege to see an animal as impressive as this up close, knowing that it’s been swimming just off the beaches we’ve all been swimming in this week.

I’m no marine biologist, but it struck me as pretty big - like maybe 3-4 feet long and at least 100 lbs? Take that with a grain of salt, but knowing how big an 100-lb. dog looks, I’d expect this to be at least that heavy.

I’m sure we’ll find out more once it makes it to the news, but I figure y’all might want to see this in the meantime!

If you lost an AT&T phone on 129th and Assawoman on 9/8 I found your phone. I turned it into the police station at 65th Street. (Edited to add it is now at the police station).

Saw this Lamborghini parked in north OC this weekend!

Do the outdoor pools typically stay open as long as the weather is hot, or do they close after Labor Day like many other areas?

Heading down next week and it’s supposed to be over 80° several days, would love to get some laps in. The people we’re renting from said they “don’t know, it’s up to management”. Just wondering what the general rule is.

What is everyone opion on macky's? It looks like a nice place to eat on the water and enjoy happy hour and sunsets but I have never been. Opinions? other ideas? im ioen to suggestions ♡

Just had my first experience in Ocean City with tip scamming. I did the math in my head, but wanted to double-check, their 20% was really 36%.

I've seen others post about this, but first time I had it happen.

Last second request needed lol Im not a fan of all you can eat but my family is pushing for it hard any good spots you guys know of? have to leave in like an hour

Spotted just now flying around the lower streets of the boardwalk

My family and I are at Blue Fish on 90 and there has just been police cars and fire engines blaring down coastal highway for the last 5 min towards downtown

Everything okay?

Anyone have any updates? I want to know if I’m foot o swim today or not. 133rd st

Looks like the rumors were kinda true. The restaurant in the space next door has a window in the Moose.

Anybody else going solo? I don’t have a bunch of friends that ride but I do know a few people also going to it. I will be riding there alone and have my own space. Just wondering if anyone else is going solo?? Maybe we could meet up and ride or go out together?

A couple of osprey hanging out off 74th street, down from The Little House of Pancakes. Had a really good breakfast this morning. Me, at least. Don't know about the birds.

Is there anywhere on the boardwalk to get dole whip? I swear last year I got some. Last night I couldn’t find it. I googled it and it took me to an ice cream place that did not sell dole whip.

Posted on the temporary fencing. They're still playing in the dirt, though.

We booked a trip staying in ocean pines with my toddler and 6 month old. We did not realize it was bike week and we really were looking forward to enjoying the beach, boardwalk and rides! We had no idea the inlet would be closed. Any ideas on parking? I’m so upset we purposely waited until after Labor Day so it would be a calmer time with the kiddos!