Winters in the Mid-Atlantic are wild. While the weather changes from 50 degrees and sunny to 20 degrees and snowy within 24 hours, Ocean City, Maryland, is heating up early with events for Valentines, Galentines or a Dude Fest. Whatever your reason to celebrate, check out these four reasons to plan a long weekend in O.C. this February.
FeBREWary + Football
Back to Top of ListIf you love craft beer, FeBREWary is the month for you! And what pairs best with good beer? Football, of course!
Start the month tuning into the Big Game on February 12 at your favorite sports bars at the Beach. Here are just a few places to fair a craft beer with some of the town's most enormous T.V. screens.
Starting up north, catch the first quarter at Harpoon Hanna's bar full of 25 T.V.'s. While there, please take a peek at their Valentine's Day Special Menu as an option for dinner (available February 12-14th). For now, Boom Boom Shrimp paired with their very own house brew: Deep Brewed Tangerine Pale Ale. UNTAPPD and onward.
Head South a bit to catch the second quarter at The Original Greene Turtle on 116th street. Upstairs we can play a round of pool, check our blocks, order a Crab Cake sandwich (because Crabcakes and Football are what Maryland does), and add a Cape Charles Puddle Pirate Porter to our UNTAPPD.
Call an Uber and head to Alley Oops for the second half of the game to finish watching the Kelce brothers on one of the town's largest T.V.'s. Mixing in a light-hearted bowling competition and connect-four basketball during halftime, you can catch the third quarter on their 24 'screen tv. Grab an Alley Oops Tropical IPA or Alley Oops Surf Lager for your UNTAPPD.
Realizing that your team is losing and you have yet to win any squares on your pool, it's time to head back to your hotel. Thank goodness for those winter deals which you found (here!). Before settling in, grab a nightcap pack of Pure Lure Pilsner (UNTAPPD) from Late Night Liquors to finish the game with your ocean view.
Valentines' & Galentines Day
Back to Top of ListWhether you are with your one-and-only or your girl gang, what's not to love about a trip to O.C. this Valentine's Day? Once the hotel is booked, and dinner reservations are made (....wait....you did make reservations, didn't you? No??? Make them now - here are some great romantic options), here are some wonderful Ocean City inspired gifts to give.
Champagne Truffles and Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Wockenfuss Candies. Elegance and luxury come to mind with a crisp burst of effervescence on the tongue and a smooth, crisp finish from the 1' truffles. Fresh strawberries dipped in your favorite Wockenfuss milk, dark or white chocolate. Available for pick-up (pre-order recommended)
Since it's never too early to think about fun in the sun, giving the gift of a Jolly Roger Water Park pass is always available for purchase online. Just thinking about riding the lazy river with my loved one gives us the heart eyes 😍 .
Go Big or Go Home, right? Nothing says love more than a new boat. Head to the O.C. Seaside Boat Show at the convention center to check out one of the many boat vendors. If you are looking for a gift on a smaller scale, there will be many vendors offering crafts, jewelry, and nautical wear (for your S.O. to wear on her…errr… your new boat!).
Seafood? Yes, Please!
Back to Top of ListA fresh catch isn't just enjoyed during the hot days of summer. Cozy up in O.C. this month with the following delicious delicacies.
First, check out Seacrets Raw Bar, named the top raw bar in 2021 - And for a good reason. With fresh oysters on display in their ice bar, the romantic blue backlight and front-row view of the sunset over the bay is the perfect spot to eat oysters from the Chesapeake Bay. Clams and Old Bay Shrimp are available as well.
Remember to add Fager's Island's Oyster Garden to your February bucket list. Taking place Saturday, February 18, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m, admission includes unlimited fresh oysters on the half shell and select beers from Evo and Flying Dog (UNTAPPD app ready to go) and a commemorative pint glass.
If fresh seafood this February isn't your thing - don't worry! There are plenty of options when more restaurants open in the spring. We're looking at you St. Patrick's Day weekend!
Soup - Because why not?
Back to Top of ListNothing warms the soul better than soup and a view of the Sea, which makes the Souperbowl at the 45th street Taphouse the perfect place to be this February. The 4th annual competition, held on February 26, includes soup from more than 12 local restaurants. Taste and vote for your favorite soups with only a $25 donation at the door for adults and $15 for kids under 10. All proceeds go to the Children's House by the Sea!
Also, because it's still FeBREWary, try one of their 44 beers on tap (UNTAPPD) and more on deck, ready to be tapped.
February gets a bad wrap. It's the last month of winter, leaving us fed up with the dark and cold. But in OCMD, February is pretty good, after all. The month is short, and time is running out - so plan your trip today.