Beach Bites

beach bites

The summer season just started, and there’s a good chance you’ll likely spend a day or two at the beach before it’s over.

But all of that swimming, sunbathing and salty Ocean City air will make you hungry, and the last thing you’ll want to do is pack up and set off in search of something to eat.

Luckily, you won’t have to.

Beach Bites, Ocean City’s first restaurant marketing company, operates through a free app, good for any mobile device or tablet.

Customers are able to go onto the Beach Bites app or website, check out various menus, pick a restaurant they would like to order from and pay with a credit or debit card in a matter of minutes. The order is placed with the restaurant and a driver is assigned to meet the customer on the beach. Food can even be delivered to customers’ homes or condos.

The app launched last Memorial Day weekend with, “smooth success,” said Kimberly Davis, who co-owns the company with her husband, Brandon. The couple was inspired to create the food delivery service after a long, lazy day at the beach last August.

“We just thought it would be fantastic if someone would bring us food — good food, like a burger or a pizza — without us having to leave our spot,” she said. “We kept talking about it and started researching, and just ran with the idea.”

Delivery is offered between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., typically slower times for restaurants, she said.

Longboard Cafe was the first restaurant to collaborate. Owner Rich Vach said it was an easy choice.

“I think their app has a really good chance of shaking some things up around here.” he said. “For very little extra work on our end, we are now able to reach a whole new market of customers. It’s genius.”

Other participating restaurants include the Ninth and 45th Street TaphouseBJ’s on the Water, Primo Hoagies, Grotto Pizza and Ocean City Fish Co.. Davis hopes the list will expand once people learn of the app.

Standard delivery fee is about $5 for orders placed online, and an extra $1.99 for orders placed through the Beach Bites call center. The delivery fee does not include gratuity for the driver. Average delivery time is about 50 minutes, she said, although times will vary based on traffic, the restaurant’s ability to prepare the food and weather conditions.

Davis recommends large orders be placed at least two hours in advance, and those desiring a specific delivery time should give 24 hours’ notice.

Beach Bites could revolutionize the town’s dining scene, according to Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association.

“Only time will tell,” she said. “But I think the concept is wonderful.”

Looking for a great read this summer? We’ve got you covered

Featuring a mix of popular classics, romantic novels, thrillers, and modern fiction, this list highlights a range of the year’s hottest options to tote along with you to Ocean City.

Also, be sure to click here to view our available summer rentals to make it a vacation you’ll never forget.

Here are 12 beach day-worthy books:

The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

End of Watch by Stephen King.

Bark Skins by Annie Prolix.

Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubo.

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven.

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes.

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

3 Ways to Make Your Vacation More Enjoyable

beach house rentals in ocean city md

Considering that we only have so much time off from work — and that family vacations aren’t exactly cheap, it’s imperative to make sure you enjoy that sacred time as much as possible.

Here are three strategies to relax, disengage and make the most of limited vacation time.

Manage your expectations

Studies have shown that the people of Denmark are among the happiest in the world — and that this satisfaction is partially attributed to their low expectations about what’s to come. Thus, they find themselves “pleasantly surprised” when life brings them joy.

Hope for a good trip, rather than anticipating you’re in for the best week of your entire life. This will help to curb disappointment if things don’t go perfectly, and may even inspire you to create a fun plan B in case you run into less-than-ideal vacation conditions.

Detox from your devices

If really need a computer while you’re away, then bring it. But if you can leave something behind, do. Your brain, and travel companions, will probably thank you for it.

Besides, without a device to distract you, you’ll have easier time letting go of your “real life” and tuning in to those can’t-miss-moments like a beautiful Ocean City sunset.

Pack like a pro

Don’t get worn out before you even leave. Use a basic packing list as you prepare for your trip. Joan Didion, for example, would keep a packing list taped inside her closet during her years of steady reporting and traveling. And you don’t even have to create it yourself:

Whether you’re journeying on a warm-weather weekend, a month-long holiday, or a four-day Inca trail hike on Machu Picchu, there’s a list here for you to reference.

How to survive a senior week

Just a few months stand between you and Senior Week. After the caps have been thrown, the yearbooks have been signed and the parents have been convinced – it’ll be time to celebrate. But there are a few things you should consider.

For two weeks each year in June, popular destinations for graduates, such as Ocean City, Maryland, become inundated with 18-year-olds – many who make poor, unsafe choices.

Whether you’ll be drinking or choosing a safer alternative to spend your well-deserved vacation, there are several tips to think about before heading to the beach.

Here’s our guide to surviving Senior Week:

Be smart when you’re packing – especially your food and drinks

Be sure to pack plenty of nutritious snacks, meals and beverages in addition to celebratory drinks and cheap breakfast pastries.

Love your mom’s lasagna? Ask her to donate a pan, then all you have to do is heat it up. If everyone brings a covered dish, you won’t have to eat out as much, and you will save a lot of money.

Some healthy snack ideas:

  • Protein or granola bars
  • Fresh fruits
  • Crackers and cheese
  • Veggies and dip
  • Pretzels

Call your parents before they call you

Then they’ll leave you alone.

Trust us. Your parents are going to call you. It will happen, and it is because they love you. So set aside some time each day to reassure mom and dad that you are OK and staying safe.

If you’re under 21, don’t drink

Senior Week is a time to celebrate your accomplishments over four years of high school – don’t ruin it by doing something stupid.

>Remember, if you are under 21 years of age, you are not legally allowed to drink alcohol.

Getting in trouble at Senior Week could affect getting a job later, or could potentially put your college plans in jeopardy. Some students have had scholarships revoked because of a citation they received during Senior Week. Don’t let that happen to you.

Never go off by yourself

Always stay with someone you know. In a town flooded with thousands of visitors – many of which may be making poor choices – it is important to be someone you trust.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, youth who drink are more likely to carry out, or be the victim of physical or sexual assault.

Stay hydrated

With average temperatures reaching scorching levels in June, dehydration is a force to be reckoned with. Adding alcohol – a diuretic that causes more frequent urination – to the mix can lead to a dangerous problem.

Drink plenty of water to stay healthy and happy.

Have fun

Senior Week can, and should, be the time of your life. Act responsibly, take care of yourself and look out for your friends. You all deserve to come home with awesome memories, not regrets.

Senior Week in Ocean City, MD? Is this for me?

senior week in ocean city md

A June vacation getaway is a great way to celebrate the end of high school and the transition into the next, exciting phase of life. Reward yourself with an Ocean City rental. They provide coveted comforts like a kitchen for breakfast and late night snacks, a living room for watching movies together and separate bedrooms for some time apart.

To make the most of your getaway, choose a place you and your friends will like. Beach Getaway Rentals has plenty of options. Click here to view them all.

Still unsure if Ocean City is the ideal place for Senior Week? Think again. The town offers plenty of fun activities to keep you and your friends busy each day. Here are few to consider:

Old Pro Golf

Nothing tops a vacation like a friendly game of putt-putt, especially when bragging rights are at stake. Old Pro has six courses at four locations throughout Ocean City, including two indoor courses – which can come in handy on a rainy day.

Jolly Roger

Ocean City’s largest family Amusement Park offers 36 acres of some of the best nostalgic and cutting edge attractions found in the world. Jolly Roger now includes Splash Mountain Water Park, Speedworld, miniature golf, rides, games, concessions, a gift shop and free circus. The park’s latest addition is the Cyclone Cart Coaster – a crazy fast track that is more than 1,500 feet long and five stories tall.

Planet Maze Laser Tag

Four attractions at one location, all at a great price. Planet Maze features an indoor climbing maze, “Star Gate” themed laser tag arena, a 19-hole alien adventure mini-golf course and a token arcade. There’s also a snack bar with tables, Wi-Fi and HI-Def cable TV’s.

The Boardwalk

At just under three miles, the Ocean City boardwalk is perfect for a bike ride, a walk or run, or a relaxing tram ride. At night, the boardwalk comes to life with rides, arcades, performers and so much more.

Playing it Safe while planning your Senior Week in Ocean City, MD

Senior week in Ocean City maryland

This is the time of the year when we are flooded by numerous phone calls and emails by anxious soon-to-be graduates and their apprehensive parents looking for advice, reassurance of legitimacy of the rental units, safe accommodations, and the best deals available.  Many seniors and parents have heard the stories of past graduates about the landlords that collect their monies and then look for any minuscule reason to evict them soon after the arrival or even private owners who collect the money, and then are nowhere to be found on the day of the check in. So to make sure your Senior Week Trip goes smooth, here’ s how to Play it safe while planning your trip to Ocean City, MD.

  1. Choose a legitimate Rental company or Hotel/Motel
  2. Make sure they rent to graduates to avoid the refusal of the rental or eviction upon arrival because “they don’t rent to groups”
  3. View the photos of the place that you’re interested in or better yet – come and see it in person – anyone can post pictures of a place online and pretend it exists in Ocean City, MD
  4. Read the Rental Policies before you put any money down; this will ensure you know what will be expected of you and what you should expect in return
  5. Make sure you’re clear on when the payments are due and follow the payment plan so your reservation is not cancelled for non payment
  6. Collect the down payment from all your friends and reserve the Beach House!

Beach Getaways Management rents to High School Seniors  for over 14 years now, making sure every sensible senior week-er has a safe and pleasant time in Ocean City, so they can cherish the memories of this week for the rest of their lifetime. In fact, many of our seniors have returned for another week of “sun and sand” even when they’re in college, and now many younger brothers and sisters are coming to experience what their older brothers and sisters where raving about. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about Senior Week Rentals 

You may also find a lot of useful information about Senior Week in Ocean City on Play it Safe official website www.playitsafeoceancity.com. The mission of PLAY IT SAFE is to encourage high school graduates to make informed, healthy choices while having responsible fun without the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Does your vacation affect your happiness?

Vacations are a chance to take a break from work, see the world and enjoy time with family. But do they make you happier?

The study, published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, showed that the largest boost in happiness comes from the simple act of planning a vacation. In the study, the effect of vacation anticipation boosted happiness for eight weeks.

After the vacation, happiness quickly dropped back to baseline levels for most people. How much stress or relaxation a traveler experienced on the trip appeared to influence post-vacation happiness. There was no post-trip happiness benefit for travelers who said the vacation was “neutral” or stressful.”

Surprisingly, even those travelers who described the trip as “relaxing” showed no additional jump in happiness after the trip. “They were no happier than people who had not been on holiday,” said the lead author, Jeroen Nawijn, tourism research lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The only vacationers who experienced an increase in happiness after the trip were those who reported feeling “very relaxed” on their vacation. Among those people, the vacation happiness effect lasted for just two weeks after the trip before returning to baseline levels.

Boost your happiness, start planning your summer get-away to Ocean City, MD now!

Countdown to Spring!

spring vacation in ocean city maryland

Daylight saving time 2015 will begin on Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 a.m. That means it’s time to spring forward!

For most, daylight saving time is an exciting sign of spring that comes with a slightly sleepy Monday, but let’s look at a bright side – it’s going to put us one hour closer to Friday, March 20, 2015, the official first day of the Spring!

Count down to spring!

Surviving the winter blues

summer fun in ocean city md

Think of this approach as a survival guide for the remainder of the winter season. Plan your summer get-away now! It’s a way to channel soothing, summery thoughts during the big chill of winter. Being in a warm house while reading a travel guide or calling up all of these exotic destination photos online is a great way to spend a cold, dreary day. Besides, anticipation is half the enjoyment. The sooner you plan, the longer you have to look forward to your trip.”

Early Birds Get the Deals

ocean city md beach

Now is the very best time to start researching and booking your summer beach trip. Some resorts and destinations offer early-bird discounts! For certain popular places, you have to start sooner than later or you’ll miss out entirely.

If you wait till the last minute, you also will not be left with that many choices. By booking early, especially for the holidays, special events and weekends, you are avoiding the price spikes that are definitely demand driven in resort destinations!