Ocean City (MD) or Ocean City (NJ)—Which One's For You?

So...ya wanna go to Ocean City? Or then, maybe you're thinking to head the other direction, go to Ocean City instead.

Confusing? Yeah, for anyone who didn't grow up in the Northeast, it's hard to distinguish these two beach towns—one located in Maryland, one in New Jersey. Both are family-friendly, reasonably priced as far as beach vacations go, and both cater almost exclusively to people from their own and neighboring states. So to be fair, the only people who really should be able to keep the two destinations straight are those from Delaware, the teensy state sandwiched in between—and you, as soon as you memorize our little MD vs. NJ, Ocean City crib sheet. Please see below.

Atlantic City, As Seen on TV

Forget the Vegas Strip or Beverly Hills 90210—these days, all the camera crews and famous faces are flocking to AC, as in Atlantic City, New Jersey. And you wish you could be too. Whether you’re an East Coaster looking for a quick weekend getaway on the ACES train, or flying in from further away to claim a piece of the action, here’s our quick cheat sheet to Atlantic City, as seen on the big and small screens.

Like everything in the gaming world, AC first started getting national television attention as a result of the World Poker Tour—mainstay of the Travel Channel in the mid-2000s. The Borgata Poker Open brought hundreds of would-be millionaires and all the most colorful poker personalities, giving the world its first look at this flashy new casino/hotel.

Top 3 Cheap Trips to the Shore

Try these three coastal havens for an easy-on-the-wallet beach escape.

Atlantic City, New Jersey
You don’t have to gamble away your life savings to enjoy a getaway at this classic Mid-Atlantic tourist destination. Hit the buffets at some of the nicer casino hotels early in the day for the best bargain (without a bellyache), or visit the famous pizza stands along the boardwalk and enjoy the free ocean views.

Newark Trip Idea: Newark Museum

The Newark Museum is New Jersey’s largest museum, featuring 80 galleries with collections of African, Asian, Latin, and American art. The facility underwent a $520 million renovation and expansion in 1989 that included the addition of 66 galleries designed by architect Michael Graves. Traveling exhibitions showcase the arts and natural sciences, while young museum-goers will enjoy the 100 live animals at the Mini Zoo (including marmosets, boa constrictors, dwarf mongooses, red bellied piranha, and an emperor scorpion). There’s also the Victorian Ballantine House, a sculpture garden, planetarium, and an 18th-century schoolhouse.

Photo credit: "Blackout: A Centennial Commission by Paul Henry Ramirez" at the Newark Museum, New Jersey (Newark Museum)

Trip Guide to Newark Liberty International Airport

Spare yourself the headaches of Manhattan traffic, not to mention a $50-$70 cab fare, by using Newark Liberty International Aiport’s AirTrain for your trip into the Big Apple. The service connects EWR terminals with connecting rail routes into Manhattan and other New York/New Jersey boroughs, as well as Amtrak service to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. to the south. When you buy a NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, that ticket includes the $5.50 AirTrain Newark fee. Children under age 5 ride for free. Journey time to Manhattan's Penn Station is approximately 30 minutes; one-way fare costs $15. AirTrain operates daily throughout the year, with trains departing every three minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Photo credit: Newark Liberty International Airport's AirTrain (courtesy, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)