Indoor activities in Ocean City MD are everywhere if you know where to look. Despite being famed for its beautiful 10-mile stretch of beach, Ocean City offers plenty to do if rain stops play on your vacation. From boardwalk arcades in which to spend dimes and dollars to quirky art galleries and museums, there is even an indoor ice rink next to the beach.
You will find plenty to do indoors at this unconventional and charming beach resort, but if you need some help deciding where to visit, then read on for our best indoor activities for a rainy day in Ocean City.
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Art League of Ocean City
Support superheroes of the local art scene
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The Art League of Ocean City is a spacious, light filled 2-story gallery, showcasing exhibitions by regional and local artists. With the gallery rotating the works on a monthly basis, no 2 visits will be the same and there is also a pottery studio, art library, and 5 working studios in which to watch the artists at work.
Looking to get crafty? The gallery’s classrooms host workshops in a wide range of artistic pursuits from watercolor painting, writing, and wheel throwing to sculpture, sea glass, and seashell art. Kids are catered for too with regular pottery, painting, and sculpture classes. It’s free to browse the gallery but booking online for workshops is essential.
Location: 502 94th St, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm
Phone: +1 410-524-9433
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Ocean Gallery World Center
A treasure trove for art collectors
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A beloved boardwalk attraction for over 50 years, the Ocean Gallery World Center is a ramshackle but charming jumble sale of an art gallery. Housed over 3 levels, there is artwork, posters, and memorabilia to browse and helpful staff on hand (including the infamous owner himself – Joe KroArt) if the sheer volume of stock gets overwhelming.
Kids will love to spot the Ocean Gallery’s very own “Batmobile”, designed and built by Mr. KroArt, who claims it to be the most photographed car in Maryland. It’s free to enter, so bag a bargain or get rummaging and you might just find an old master portrait.
Location: 201 N Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Phone: +1 410-289-5300
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Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ocean City
Roll up, roll up, Ripley’s is in town
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With over 500 “wonders” displayed in 16 galleries, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (Ocean City) is known across the world for its collection of the curious and fascinating. Calling itself the “weirdest attraction in Ocean City,” Ripley’s promises to shatter the senses in a Vortex Tunnel, unleash the inner artist on the “Color Brite” wall, and allow guests to gaze upon a portrait of Justin Bieber made up entirely of… push pins.
If you aren’t exhausted by all the bizarre exhibits, buy a combo ticket for the museum and mirror maze. Have you got what it takes to escape the labyrinth? Don’t worry, they send search parties every half an hour to rescue the lost and bring you back out to the sunshine of the south boardwalk.
Location: 401 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 410-289-5600
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Carousel Ice Skating Rink
Get your skates on
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Located at the Carousel Hotel, right opposite the expansive Ocean City beach, the Carousel Ice Skating Rink is fully under cover. With special rates for hotel guests, the rink is also open to non-residents, making it the perfect family activity on a rainy day – once you have started a session you can skate for as long as you like.
Hire skates, or bring your own, and there are walkers for both adult and child novices, so you can start practicing in order to land that quadruple axel. There’s a bistro on-site serving fast food and a games room next door when you want a break from the skating.
Location: 11700 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm, hours vary by season
Phone: +1 410-524-1000
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Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum
A life-saver for a rainy day
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Built in 1891 to serve as the coast guard station, the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum now promotes the vital and historic role performed by this emergency service. In 1977, due to a legal dispute over the land, the 150-ton building was moved along the beach to its current home at the south end of the boardwalk.
The 2-story museum has a number of exhibits and memorabilia depicting the days of the life-saving service, the history of Ocean City’s fishing industry, and the start of the area’s thriving hospitality trade. Visits take about an hour, there’s a nominal entrance fee, and children under 11 go free.
Location: 813 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: May–October: Monday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. November–April: Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: +1 410-289-4991
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Marty's Playland
Spend your dollars and dimes at this eclectic arcade
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Not just for a rainy day, Marty’s Playland – an Ocean City institution – is a must visit for kids and grown-ups alike. Opened in the 1940s, the arcade’s charm comes from the vintage Crane Digger, Skee Ball, and rows of traditional pin ball machines. As well as the antique attractions, gamers can also compete on the most up-to-date video and redemption games.
Feel like a glimpse into the future? A vintage fortune teller from the 1940s will predict your fate. Located on a prime spot on Ocean City’s famous boardwalk, the arcade is fully air-conditioned for when you need a break from the beach.
Location: 5 Worcester St, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 410-289-7271
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Ocean Lanes
Be the Kingpin of bowling on your vacation
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If rain is ruining your vacation time, take the family to Ocean Lanes 10 pin bowling center. Located in the heart of Ocean City, just off the Coastal Highway, the lanes are open year-round and are clean and comfortable. Bumpers are available for the novice bowler or the little ones in your party.
A fully stocked snack bar serves food, cold beer, and a selection of wines. Shoe hire is necessary in addition to a per person price per game. The Lanes also run a league so you can watch the professionals at play.
Location: 115 72nd St, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 410-524-7550
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Old Pro Golf
Have a ball at this Ocean City institution
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With 4 locations across Ocean City, 2 of which are indoors, Old Pro Golf offers a variety of tee time for the amateur golfer. Play golf underneath a blue whale at the 68th St. “Undersea Adventure” course or wander your ball amongst jungle animals at the 136th St. “Safari Village”.
With mechanized figures, challenging obstacles, and holes with water elements, you can spend hours on the green or if the sun does decide to come out, head to the outdoor courses where you can challenge dragons, dinosaurs, and pirates to a round.
Location: 6801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 410-524-2645
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Fun City Arcade
There’s a ton of fun to be had at this arcade
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With a chance to win a “Sunny the Seagull” plushy, visitors flock to the Fun City Arcade. Located on the famous Ocean City boardwalk, this gamer’s paradise offers a respite from the sun or rain with its many attractions. Fancy your luck on a claw machine, take on the family in a game of Skee Ball, or get retro on one of the classic arcade machines. There’s also basketball, air hockey, and driving games to play, plus many big prizes to be won.
The place is fully air-conditioned, and you can buy a Fun City Arcade game card which can be electronically loaded with money to play on the machines, so you don’t even need to find the cash to play every game.
Location: 100 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Open: Monday 10 am to 11 pm, Tuesday–Sunday 8 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 410-289-4133
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Ocean City Performing Arts Center
Ocean City’s one and only performance venue
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The Ocean City Performing Arts Center is a 1200-seater, 2 tier theatre attracting a variety of local, regional, and national musical acts, dance shows, and plays. Off-Broadway touring shows also head to the venue, located on the Ocean Highway in the same building as the Roland E. Powell Convention Center and Visitor Bureau.
Stunning coastal views can be enjoyed pre-show on one side of the center and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the surrounding area in which to enjoy a pre-theatre dinner. Free parking is available, and advanced booking for shows is advised.
Location: 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
Phone: +1 410-289-2800
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