We're well into Summer '16 and maybe you already took a nice long vacation, maybe you're saving up to take one in August. Let me help you decide: Ocean City, Maryland.

I know what you're thinking: Maryland? Really?

Yes. Really. It's a hell of a lot more affordable then that big fancy cruise, a short four hour drive from Staten Island and at least three times more fun, I can guarantee it.

Take it from a girl who grew up spending countless summers there. I can safely say it's my favorite place in the world (Disney is tied with it, though).

Here's a short list on why Ocean City should be everybody's next vacation:

1. The Beach

The best part of summer is your toes in the sand, under the warm sun with the sound of the waves crashing. Ocean City has some beautiful beaches and the best part? They're free!

2. The Boardwalk

This might be the nostalgia talking, but something about Ocean City's boardwalk just makes it inherently better then other boardwalks. There's the typical rides, and a few game booths here or there. But then they have cool attractions you're just not going to find on any other boardwalk, like Ripley's Believe It Or Not Oddities Museum.

3. The Food

Ocean City has some really cool and unique food. You can find Thrasher's Famous Fries on the boardwalk, where they serve vinegar on the fries instead of ketchup. (Never ask for ketchup, they will yell at you for even suggesting it.) There are dozens of seafood places all over to get your Maryland crab cake fix. My favorite has to be the Greene Turtle. They have your usual burger and fries, but they make them really well and when the meal is done, you can head over to the gift shop and buy lots of merchandise with a cute little turtle on it. How can you resist?

4. The Mini Golf

This is a weird one, but I have vivid memories of playing mini golf on vacation in Ocean City. They have so many to choose from, with a dozen different themes to go along with. The viking one might be the best of all.

5. The Local Stores

Quite possibly my favorite part of Ocean City. They have stores that are begging for tourists to come in and spend money, and I always do. Sunsation is one of them, which is really just a very large Ocean City merch shop. Shirts, shot glasses, towels, boogie boards - they have all of it. Another of my favorites is Candy Kitchen. A glorified candy store, but they are quite literally everywhere in Ocean City, and have delicious gummy candy, fudge and even some board games and stuffed animals.