Charm, solitude and savings: Ocean City, NJ rentals for fall, winter and spring
Millions make Ocean City, New Jersey a summertime destination each year. No wonder, with miles of white sand beaches, cafes, shops and a boardwalk of rides, miniature golf, music and many other options for family-friendly fun.
But that’s not the whole story. The southern New Jersey seashore has so much to offer the rest of the year, too.
Ocean City’s off season and shoulder season are perfect for the vacationer looking for solitude and quiet in a spectacularly beautiful natural setting. The beach and surf never take a vacation—on balmy spring and fall days, it’s one of the nicest places to be to watch the wildlife, hear the surf, watch the sunrise or take a long walk or run. Flying a kite, building a sand castle or getting lost in your favorite book are perfect when the weather turns mild.
With the right gear, surfing, kitesurfing and kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are year-round activities. And when the summer crowds leave town, navigating the surf become a lot easier. They’re especially nice in fall, before the water temperature starts to drop.
Fishing is year-round, too, on the beach or by boat. Bluefish, tog, black bass, stripers, cod, flounder, weakfish and others are active outside the summer months. Sailing and motorboating are options, too, in spring and fall.
Also open all year are both the Ocean City Library and Community Center, with its full gym and indoor Olympic-size pool. Monthly memberships are available.
The mainland is dotted with 18-hole championship golf courses—with a handsome selection of both private and public clubs. It’s easier to get a tee time in the off season, rates are lower and you’ll have more room to stretch out during your game.
More than a few of Ocean City’s shops, cafes and restaurants are open year ‘round. But there’s a whole world of food and fun just over the bridges. Upper Township and Somers Point are both year-round communities with their own busy business community of cafes, shops, restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, hardware stores and everything in between.
A few miles farther, you can explore the casinos and showrooms in Atlantic City or the quaint Victorian vacation village of Cape May, each with a variety of off-season diversions.
If you like lighthouses, four are an easy drive: Cape May Light in Cape May Point; Absecon Light in Atlantic City; East Point Light near Heislerville and Hereford Inlet Light in North Wildwood. Each has unique opening times throughout the year, so check before you go.
Most years, the City keeps a busy schedule of special events throughout the year, too—including the Doo Dah parade in April, spring and fall Block Parties, Halloween celebrations, parades and other events for the winter holiday and First Night on New Year’s eve. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some of these events. Keep an eye on the city calendar for updates.
Although the island’s vacation rental inventory is smaller in the off season, quite a few homeowners rent year ‘round, with rates just a fraction of summer prices. Some properties are also available for longer-term rentals in the off season. Ocean City is also a fine location for family reunions and holiday gatherings—popular for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
Berger Realty is your connection for off-season rentals, in Ocean City, NJ, so don’t hesitate to call when planning a spring, fall or winter getaway.