Guide to Ocean City for summer 2020: What’s new, things to do inside and rules of the beach

What’s new this summer

Annabelle’s BBQ & Creamery: The restaurant, with picnic tables, beer and sweet tea, offers authentic Southern-style barbecue and ice cream. With smoked pork, brisket, sausage, and sides like mac and cheese, collard greens and pork and beans, it will feel like you’re at a family cookout. 6401 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 443-664-8491. annabellesbbq.com

Alley Oops: The family-friendly restaurant chain added a midtown location just in time for the summer rush. Enjoy a full bar, casual food (try the classic burger), bowling and a live indoor shark tank. 5509 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 443-664-7084. midtown.alleyoopsoc.com/about-us/

The Art League of Ocean City: The gift shop at the newly expanded Ocean City Center for the Arts offers original works of art by local and regional artists. From jewelry to paintings and photographs, it has a little something for every taste. 502 94th St., Ocean City. 410-524-9433. artleagueofoceancity.org

Cambria Hotel : Opening in mid-July, the Cambria Hotel promises to be an exciting addition to the Ocean City scene. With 137 rooms that range from $209 to $599 on season and $109 to $209 off season, the hotel is part of the Choice Hotel brand. 13 St. Louis Ave., Ocean City. choicehotels.com/maryland

Cambria Hotel, which opens this summer in Ocean City. (Handout)

Carousel Group: The group has acquired two hotels: the Cayman Suites Hotel, a smoke-free hotel just 100 feet from the beach and across from Northside Park; and Fenwick Inn, a 201-room, family-friendly hotel in the quieter North End, a block from the beach. Cayman Suites Hotel, 12500 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 800-641-0011, caymansuites.com. Fenwick Inn , 13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 800-641-0011, fenwickinn.com

Coastal Salt: With an emphasis on fresh, locally caught seafood, Coastal Salt also boasts a prime location — overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic boardwalk. 1601 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City. 410-973-7258. coastalsaltoc.com

Seafood restaurant Coastal Salt is one of the new dining options in Ocean City this summer. (HANDOUT)

Gordman’s: The national chain known for deeply discounted home goods and fashionable finds such as Puma, Jessica Simpson, Adidas, Kenneth Cole has opened in a former Peebles. 11561 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 410-723-7021. stores.gordmans.com/md-ocean-city-6424

Mother’s Cantina: Enjoy tacos, chili, crab soup, margaritas and more at the cantina’s second location on 78th Street. The new site will be open seven days a week. 2810 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City. 410-289-1330. motherscantina.com

Tru by Hilton: The new five-story hotel replacing Planet Maze and Lost Galaxy Golf opens Aug. 7. The bayside Hilton property, promises free WiFi and an indoor pool. 3401 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 800-445-8667. hilton.com/en/hotels/sbychru-tru-ocean-city-bayside/

Things to do inside

After a few days of sun, taking a break inside a cool museum or fun attraction may be just what you need. As of press time, it was unclear when museums and attractions would be permitted to open. But we have compiled recommendations for when they do. Because of frequently changing orders and policies related to the coronavirus, check each venue before you go for up-to-date information about its operations and social distancing requirements.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium

A shrunken head, mermaid skeleton and six-legged pig greet visitors to this two-story attraction filled with more than 500 exhibits and 12 themed galleries. One of 32 Ripley’s “museums,” it features interactive displays, a mirror maze and LaseRace (cq), challenging kids to navigate a maze of lasers, Mission: Impossible style, without breaking the beams. 401 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City. 410-289-5600. ripleys.com/oceancity

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

Located in one of the town’s oldest buildings, the museum boasts everything from displays of sand (200 types from all over the world) to seahorses cavorting in a spacious aquarium. The aptly named Davy Jones Locker Room contains artifacts recovered from shipwrecks in the area in the 1800s. Other must-sees: a chronology of the history of Ocean City, the Boardwalk and surfing hereabouts, featuring one of O.C.‘s first surfboards, which weighed in at 160 pounds. 13 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City. 410-289-4991. ocmuseum.org

Rules of the beach

1. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers on beach.

2. No bonfires without written permit from the fire marshal’s office.

3. No dogs permitted on beach or boardwalk from May 1 to Sept. 30.

4. No sleeping on beach from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

5. No music loud enough to disturb others on beach.

6. Bike riding allowed on boardwalk from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. only from Memorial Day to Labor Day; thereafter, until Sept. 30, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m to 10 a.m. on weekends.

7. Not a rule, but note that signs have been erected on the beach encouraging visitors to maintain social distancing.

Check with the city’s website for the most up-to-date rules.

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