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Our Oceanfront Escape in Ocean City, MD: Salty Sands #202 through OCVH.NET

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If you’re looking for a beachfront escape in Ocean City, Maryland that blends comfort, convenience, and coastal charm, let me tell you about our incredible stay at Salty Sands #202 — a beautifully updated oceanfront condo that gave us the beach vacation of our dreams!

Fun fact: Jason and I used to visit OCMD before we had kids, and now we are super excited to share our family-friendly adventures with you. It’s such a full-circle moment to watch Emilia and Nicholas enjoy the same beaches, boardwalks, and attractions we once explored as a couple. There’s something really special about creating new memories in a place that already holds so many of our own.

We booked our stay through OCVH.NET, which is Ocean City Vacation Homes, a local property management company with a wide selection of rentals. Their website made browsing and booking so easy, and the customer service that the property managers provide was responsive and professional throughout the entire process.

One thing we loved about Ocean City Vacation Homes is that every property has its own vibe — from cozy bayside cottages to luxe oceanfront condos. Some rentals even have pools, rooftop decks, and other fun extras that can take your stay to the next level. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with young kids, or a big group, there’s truly something for everyone.

🏖️ About Salty Sands #202

Located at 2 46th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, Salty Sands is a mid-rise condo building right on the ocean. Unit #202 is a gorgeous, recently updated oceanfront unit that offered everything we needed and more.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean right from our private balcony. The condo was clean, modern, and felt like a true home away from home. Some of the highlights included:

  • Elevator access – super helpful with kids and beach gear!
  • Designated parking spot – no need to search or stress about parking.
  • Private beach locker – such a convenient perk for storing sandy toys, chairs, and umbrellas.
  • Fully equipped kitchen, updated decor, and a cozy living area where we could relax after long beach days.

We loved being just steps from the sand — morning coffee on the balcony with the sunrise and falling asleep to the sound of waves? Yes, please.

🎢 Family Fun at Jolly Roger Amusement Parks

We kicked things off with Splash Mountain, located at 30th Street, and it was the perfect way to cool down and kick off our Ocean City adventures. With over 17 water slides, a lazy river, and a huge kiddie splash area, there’s truly something for everyone — though we stuck to the more family-friendly attractions.

While we didn’t venture onto the major thrill rides (maybe in a few years!), we watched older kids and teens having a blast on them — there’s no shortage of heart-pounding slides for those seeking adventure.

Emilia and Nicholas especially loved Pirate’s Cove, the giant pirate-themed splash playground with water cannons, fountains, and slides made just for younger kids. They also had a blast in the wave pool, laughing as the waves rolled in and jumping over them together. The green and yellow slides were huge hits too — fast, fun, and just right for their age and comfort level.

We all enjoyed a peaceful float around the Lazy Lagoon, a relaxing river ride that winds through the park and gave us a nice break from the excitement.

We were pleasantly surprised by how clean and well-maintained the bathrooms were — always appreciated when you’re visiting with little ones! There were also plenty of food options throughout the park, from classic boardwalk-style snacks to quick, kid-friendly meals and icy treats to beat the heat.

Splash Mountain was exciting for the kids, easy for parents, and full of smiles all around.

🎠 Rides and Games Galore

We had to visit Jolly Roger at the Pier, right on the boardwalk. This was an absolute highlight of the trip — the atmosphere is classic coastal carnival fun!
Our favorites included:

  • The carousel, which Emilia wanted to ride again and again.
  • The ferris wheel, that Emilia & I loved
  • The teacups, where Emilia & Nick spun themselves silly
  • Carnival games that brought out our competitive side (and yes, we did win a plush prize!).

Since the Pier is right on the boardwalk, we were able to shop, grab snacks, and take a sunset stroll without moving the car. There’s something magical about the sound of the ocean blending with the laughter of kids and the nostalgic jingles of boardwalk games.

On the same night, we also visited Jolly Roger at 30th Street, which is especially perfect for younger kids like Emilia (7) and Nicholas (3.5). This location has a variety of gentle rides and attractions that cater to little ones, making it super manageable and fun for families with small children. From the mini cars and spinning rides to the easygoing pace and shaded seating areas, it was the kind of park where we could let the kids explore and enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. It was a relaxing and joy-filled experience that truly hit the mark for our family.

✨ A Perfect OCMD Stay

Between our stay at Salty Sands #202 and the endless entertainment at Jolly Roger, this Ocean City vacation was everything we hoped for. Whether you’re planning a family trip, a couples’ getaway, or a multi-generational vacation, I can’t recommend booking a rental through Ocean City Vacation Homes enough. It was the perfect launchpad for adventure and relaxation — and we already can’t wait to return.

Make sure you follow Ocean City Vacation Homes on Instagram & Facebook and Jolly Roger Amusement Park on Instagram.

Have you ever stayed in Ocean City, MD? What are your favorite boardwalk spots or beach activities? Drop them in the comments below — I’m always looking for inspiration for our next visit!

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Great Wolf Lodge – Perryville, MD Snowland Experience

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It was very difficult for me to go back to work today after a weekend experiencing Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD.

Let’s say I was daydreaming about watching my kids boogie at the pajama dance party with snow falling from the ceiling, playing mini-golf, eating pizza, drinking margaritas in the cabana, and jumping waves in the wave pool.

We arrived and unloaded our belongings into the Wolf Den Suite which had a Queen bed, sofa, table, and den space which included a bunk bed. There was enough room in the den to set up Nick’s pack-n-play. The fridge was stocked with water and sodas and a box of cookies and brownies were enjoyed by all. The bathroom had a tub shower which was helpful with having two small children. We also used the coffee maker. Our room was right across from the ice station, which had a microwave.

Snowland activities included crafts (coloring a photo frame and coloring pages), taking pictures with Santa, a Snowland scavenger hunt, and a family pajama dance party where snow fell from the ceiling as the kids danced their hearts out. My kids had an absolute blast. We also took some amazing pictures in front of the Christmas tree in the spacious lobby.

Insider tips: Get a Wolf Pass to have included extras like a scoop of ice cream, a small candy cup, a round of golf, a game of bowling, a mirror maze entrance, a ropes course admission, a wand, and a game of MagiQuest at a discounted price. Make sure you grab a pair of complimentary wolf ears in the gift shop.

Em and I stayed up late and went mini-golfing, navigated the mirror maze, played arcade games, and ate a scoop of ice cream from Wood’s End Creamery. We also went to the gift shop and made a Build-a-Bear.

The next day we went to The Watering Hole, the waterpark bar, to gain access to our cabana. Having a cabana with food and drink service made the experience exceptional. (Thank you, Kari!) Our pizza lunch, drinks, and kids slushies were brought directly to us and we also had two couches, a lounge chair, and a table with chairs. We also had a ceiling fan, a safe, and a flat-screen television. I loved not waiting in lines and having a space to call home for the nine hours that we were at the water park. Yes, 9 full hours. (I have two water babies and I love waterparks!) We loved the wave pool, tube slides, splash pad, lazy river, and basketball/rock climbing pool. Em went on her first couple of tube slides and I am so proud of her! She also went down some big girl slides that went super fast! The waterpark is seriously for all ages and was a lot of fun.

There are many dining options at Great Wolf Lodge – Perryville, MD. We enjoyed the on-site Dunkin’ where we ordered breakfast every morning. The first night we went to Barnwood where J and I both got the Smokehouse Burger with fries and the kids split Rigatoni pasta and fries. The following day, we ordered pizza from Hungry as a Wolf for lunch. For dinner, J and I went to Campfire Kitchen where we got carne asada and chicken bowls. The kids wanted more pizza, so we went back to Hungry as a Wolf and got them personal pizzas. We loved the food options; there was truly something for everyone, including our picky cherubs.

None of us wanted to leave Sunday morning. We all had so much fun. Between the entertainment, activities, attractions, and waterpark, we laughed, smiled, and enjoyed each other’s company outside of our normal rat race. It was a welcomed break from reality.

Emilia asked me when we’d be returning. I’d love to go back to Perryville, MD — and I would also like to venture to the GWL closest to me in the Poconos. When the Connecticut GWL opens in 2025, I would also love to venture there. And, I will definitely look for Great Wolf Lodges when we travel to different states because the memories made this past weekend will last a lifetime.

Thank you to everyone who made our trip spectacular!