Ocean City, Maryland is certainly a dog-friendly place to visit. So are its coastal Delaware Resort neighbors further north along Coastal Highway and beyond. That’s because now, more than ever before, folks everywhere tend to think of their pets as members of the family, fully deserving of partaking in all vacation destinations and outings.
It’s refreshing as an animal lover to see how the allowances for pets in public places have increased dramatically in just the last few years. Watching a cute little cockapoo being wheeled around in a store cart is no longer an unusual sight to come by, nor is spotting a dog out on a winter walk bundled up in a sweater, coat, and/or other weather-ready accessories.
Of course, it shouldn’t be assumed that every public facility is dog- or pet-friendly. That’s why it’s always best to double-check the rules and protocols at every venue before you visit. But in case you were wondering about the various fun activities you can let your dog participate in at Ocean City, Maryland, specifically, here’s a list of tentative ideas.
Stay in Pet-Friendly Accommodations
As I covered in my earlier post, These Are the Pet-Friendly Places to Stay at in Ocean City, Maryland, there are plenty of hotel and motel options to choose from, where you and your doggie can stay in style. Additionally, you’ll discover several condo owners willing to rent to folks with well-behaved pets. There are also dog-friendly places to camp out at along Stephen Decatur Highway and elsewhere within the greater Ocean City area.
Dine With Your Dog
Did you know that there are over 61 confirmed dog-friendly restaurants in Ocean City alone? Combine that with 32 in Rehoboth, 19 in Lewes, eight in Bethany, and six in Dewey, and it’s safe to say that the greater Delmar coastal area in the immediate Ocean City vicinity presents over a hundred dog-friendly dining designations to choose from. In most cases, dining with a dog attendant is done at a special outdoor seating location. Depending on the weather or season, though, these options may not always be available at all times.
Go Shopping!
As previously alluded to, more stores now than ever before allow you to bring your pets along for the shopping excursion. Various dog-friendly designations are even sometimes known to supply a complimentary dog water bowl right outside the main entrance!
Some pet-friendly stores are more obvious than others, like PetSmart, Petco, and various hardware stores in the area. But a couple of Ocean City exclusives you can be sure your pooch will be welcomed into include Doggie Style K9 Café, Doggie Style Boutique and Bakery, Paws & Claws Etc, and Sandy Paws.
Enjoy Dog-Friendly Events
There are various special events taking place in and around Ocean City throughout the year that allow dogs to attend. From lining a street to watch a parade procession to attending a Christmas Tree lighting, there are even certain pet-specific acts your four-legged friend can be an active participant in, like O.C. Toberfest’s Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, for example. And that’s only the start!
Get An Old Time Photo
Ocean City’s Flashback Old Time Photos is a legendary rite of passage for visitors. It’s here you don nostalgic garb set against a themed backdrop and strike a pose for a most memorable photo op. Despite its fame as a beloved Ocean City tradition for 45 years now, many folks do not realize that Flashback Old Time Photos does pet portraits also. That means you and your dog can have an undeniably doggone good time dressing up to make timeless memories. And if you were curious, cats and even parrots have been known to get in on the fun too. It’s just another one of the many awesome activities to consider while visiting Ocean City with pets.
Northside Park
Ocean City’s Northside Park is a great bayside recreational place to bring your dog any time of the year. And in getting back to the various ongoing pet-friendly events taking place year-round, let it be known that Northside Park plays host to several such happenings. If you’re visiting during the summer months, there’s Sundaes in the Park & Fireworks every Sunday evening. And don’t forget about the annual holiday tradition of Winterfest of Lights with all those impressive lighted walkthrough displays. Pets are welcome to enjoy the fun every Wednesday evening of the ongoing occurrence.
Play at the Dog Playground
Did you know that Ocean City has its very own designated dog playground? Located on 94th Street, the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department designed this ultimate doggie delight as a year-round operation to jump, run free in, and have a blast with. The playground is separated into two sections for dogs over and under 28 lbs. Note, in order to access the Ocean City Dog Playground all dogs must be registered. Owners must provide veterinary records as indicative proof that pooches are up-to-date on all necessary shots, rabies vaccinations, etc. You can download an application and learn all the other essential details as well as current rates for the Ocean City Dog Playground by clicking here.
Play on the Beach
Nothing beats good old beach time. So, you and your pooch will be happy to learn that dogs are allowed on Ocean City’s main beaches any time between October 1 and April 30. Dogs are also permitted at various locations on Assateague National Seashore Park (excluding State Beaches). Homer Gudelsky Park, which has been alternately dubbed “Stinky Beach” by the locals (don’t let the name dissuade you), is another awesome dog-friendly beach to check out, and somewhat of a best-kept secret at that. You’ll find it located at the end of Route 707, Old Bridge Road in West Ocean City, across from the Inlet.
Having your four-legged companion by your side makes all your adventures and endeavors even better. Dog owners do be sure to exercise preparedness regarding clean-up and having all necessary resources and other essentials on-hand whenever venturing in the company of fur children throughout Ocean City and beyond.