Ocean City Is America's Happiest Seaside Resort, Magazine Rules

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Are you happy? If you live in Ocean City, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be, according to Coastal Living Magazine. The magazine’s readers have voted Ocean City “America’s Happiest Seaside Town.”

The magazine calls Ocean City “Pure Americana,” noting that “ Its glory days as a 19th-century resort town have resulted in a boardwalk that is still the heart of the place, complete with amusements, funnel cakes, and saltwater taffy.”

It also notes the city’s annual Baby Parade, pale sand beaches and surfing, residential historic district and a family-friendly atmosphere that’s boosted by its status as a “dry town.” Ocean City earned the status via popular vote by the magazine’s readers.

“The honor is a reminder that our hard work pays off,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said in his weekly update. “Ocean City is a happy place, and I hope it remains that way for generations to come.”

Ocean City is becoming a favorite of Coastal Living Magazine’s readers, and maybe the feeling is mutual. In 2016, Ocean City was voted Best Beach in America in a March Madness style bracket. This means Ocean City defeated five other beaches nationwide in five separate votes from the magazine’s readers to win the overall crown.

Now THAT is something America’s Greatest Family Resort can be happy about.

Read more about the contest at coastalliving.com.

See related: Ocean City Seeks Fifth Straight ‘Favorite Beach’ Title

The attached image is a Patch file photo from a previous Ocean City Baby Parade. The Baby Parade is cited as one of the things that makes Ocean City America's Happiest Seaside Resort.