Apple Martinis & Pizza

· BEST SINGLES SCENE

We're jammin', we're jammin', we're jammin', we're jammin' . . . sorry, the Jamaican reggae vibe at Seacrets can worm itself into your head for days after you leave. Singles from 21 to 70-plus find kindred spirits at this dance-in-the-sand resort that features a half-dozen bars, a separate nightclub and multiple bands, plus a restaurant, hotel and gift shop. Bonus: One of the best radio stations in the world -- Ocean 98.1, "Irie Radio" -- broadcasts from here.

49th Street and the bay, 410-524-4900, http://www.seacrets.com/ .

HONORABLE MENTION: The Party Block -- three clubs in a row at 17th Street and Coastal Highway, 410-289-6331, http://www.partyblock.com/ -- is a fave among the young crowd. The marquee reads, "Wednesday Bikini Contest. Guys, We Need Judges." Enough said.

· BEST TEEN SPOT

Two under-21 clubs, H20 and H202 , offer different themes every night: foam parties on Sundays and Thursdays, Mardi Gras on Mondays, ladies' night on Tuesdays, a bikini beach party on Wednesdays and "the East Coast's biggest under-21 dance party" on Fridays and Saturdays. You must be age 15 to 20 to get in the door.

On Worcester Street just off the boardwalk, 410-289-7102, http://www.ocbeachweek.com/ .

HONORABLE MENTION: The testosterone levels may be a little high, but Speedworld , with 10 racing tracks, crawls with teenagers of both sexes, especially after 10 p.m. (it's open until midnight during summer). At the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, 30th Street and Coastal Highway, 410-289-6088, http://www.jollyrogerpark.com/speedworld , $31.99 per person for two hours of unlimited rides.

· BEST ICE CREAM

A chocolate shake at Dumser's Dairyland teamed with a cheeseburger and fries is about as close to guilt-ridden food nirvana as you can get. The 66-year-old Ocean City chain offers food at two locations, and ice cream only at several stands along the boardwalk. Vanilla soft-serve cones dipped in chocolate are a big hit, or try one of the specialty hard ice creams, such as Hawaiian Delight (cherries, pineapples and bananas in vanilla ice cream).

Various locations, including three on the boardwalk, 49th Street and Coastal Highway (410-524-1588) and 124th Street and Coastal Highway (410-250-5543); http://www.beach-net.com/dumsers .

HONORABLE MENTION: Rita's Ices, Cones, Shakes and Other Cool Stuff , a franchised chain with a couple of Ocean City locations, offers water ices packed with flavor, but without cholesterol or fat. Try the sugar-free tangerine. The soft-serve is also yummy.

· BEST OVERNIGHT SPLURGE

If you want to pretend you're a hot Hollywood star staying at an exclusive address in the Hamptons, try the Edge . The 12 bayside suites offer soaring ceilings, sleek decor, fireplaces, double Jacuzzi tubs, feather beds, luxury linens, wet bars and a pool, all facing sunset west on a coastal marsh. Just across a footbridge is Fager's Island Restaurant and Bar, whose owners also own the Edge and the adjacent Lighthouse Club Hotel -- also a good bet if you want to spend a little less.

The Edge, between 56th and 60th Street on the bay, 888-371-5400, http://www.fagers.com/edge . Rates start at $299 a night in season.

· BEST CRABS

Crab Alley, "owned and operated by local watermen," is simple, plain and perfect for spreading out the brown paper and taking the wood mallets to piles of spicy crabs. At the foot of Fisherman's Pier in West Ocean City, the restaurant is a few minutes from the heart of O.C., but that doesn't dissuade those in search of authentic crabs. It also serves good fish platters and has a fish market for those who like to cook at home.

9703 Golf Course Rd., 410-213-7800, http://www.craballey.com/ . $32.95 for all the crabs, ribs, shrimp and corn you can eat.

HONORABLE MENTION: Bahama Mamas at Wicomico Street and the bay (410-289-0291) has an all-you-can-eat crab feast with crab soup, corn on the cob, barbecued chicken, rolls and butter for $23.95. No wonder the bayfront restaurant is packed with former high school football players.

· BEST HAPPY HOUR

If you're not allergic to cigarette smoke and you want to immerse yourself in a bar packed with regulars, go to Fish Tales , where the lively crowd makes up for the lack of live music (not allowed because of nearby residences) with laughter and loud conversation. Call drinks are reduced from $3.75 to $2.50 during happy hour, from 4 to 7 p.m., and a can of domestic beer is $2.

22nd Street and the bay, 410-289-0990, http://www.ocfishtales.com/ .

HONORABLE MENTION : Macky's (410-723-5565) at 54th Street and the bay, is a better bet if you're under 30. It's got the usual reduced drink prices from 4 to 7 p.m., plus you can follow it up with a nice meal on a table set in the sand.

· BEST SOUVENIR

Forget the cheesy T-shirt. The Courtesy Shop on the boardwalk sells the collectible line of Cat's Meow 3-D illustrations of Ocean City landmarks. You'll be glad you have that memento of the Wac-a-Mole game when there's a foot of snow on the ground.

Talbot Street on the boardwalk, 410-289-9228, http://www.courtesyshopoc.com/ . Prices from $10 to $20.

Ocean City aficionados Karyn Basle, Lance Gilbert and Guy Holcomb contributed to this story.