Ocean City's three-mile boardwalk is the heart of the resort — a wide wooden walkway running along the oceanfront from the inlet at the southern tip to 27th Street. It dates to 1902, though the current structure is far sturdier than the original planks that had to be dismantled each winter. Bikes and surreys can be rented to ride along it; the ban on motor vehicles keeps the pace pleasant.
Along the boardwalk you'll find the full range of classic American beach attractions: crab cakes and Thrasher's french fries (doused in apple cider vinegar, not ketchup), saltwater taffy, ice cream, funnel cake, and souvenir shops. In the evening it fills with families, teenagers, and the occasional local watching the whole spectacle with mild amusement. The beach itself, directly adjacent, is wide and free to use.