Under $100: Ocean City, Maryland

Free beaches, miles of boardwalk lined with fun shops, fresh seafood and good fishing are all on tap in the coastal community of Ocean City, Md.

Start your day off happy with classic breakfast staples at Happy Jack Pancake House. This casual breakfast spot offers more than a dozen kinds of pancakes and waffles, including blueberry pancakes with fresh blueberries mixed right into the batter and a smokehouse waffle with bits of crispy bacon, for about $8.25.

In addition to being clean and family-friendly, the beaches in Ocean City are free of charge. Spend the morning swimming, sunning, surfing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sandcastle building or just relaxing at no cost.

Thrasher’s French Fries © Amber DeGrace | Flickr

Hit the boards for lunch and indulge with some classic boardwalk fare. Pizza, burgers, fresh French fries and overstuffed sandwiches abound. Try Thrasher’s French Fries for a delicious bucket of fries. The popular chain has been serving salty potatoes with vinegar since 1929 and nowadays offers a small bucket and small drink for about $8. The popular Atlantic Stand offers fresh hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes starting from about $8.95.

Spend the rest of the afternoon taking in the excitement of the Ocean City Boardwalk while enjoying the beautiful ocean view. The three-mile boardwalk features several amusements and arcades as well as plenty of opportunities for shopping. Pop into the restored Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum to check out amazing sea creatures and learn about the U.S. Life-Saving Service, a predecessor of today’s Coast Guard. Admission to the museum costs $3.

Ocean City Life-Saving Museum © Amber DeGrace | Flickr

Visit the original Phillips Crap House for dinner, specializing in seafood and hand-cut steaks since 1956. Feast on an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet for $34.99, or enjoy entree favorites like jumbo fried shrimp and oyster pot pie starting from $18.

When the sun goes down, visit one of OC’s pubs and nightclubs for some cool jazz, hot blues, reggae, rock or even comedy. Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille has been a popular nightlife venue since 1976, with DJs, a dance floor and drink specials every night. Throughout the summer, the bar features a Turtle Power House, offering $2 rail drinks, domestic bottles and 16-ounce drafts every night from 10–11 p.m.

© Richard Gunion | Dreamstime