ESCAPE KEYS

Ocean City, Md.

GETTING THERE: Starting on New York Avenue, it's a straight 140-mile shot on Route 50 from the District to Ocean City, Md. Or, from the Beltway, head east on Route 50 toward Annapolis. Two bridges lead into the resort town: Route 50, which drops you into the downtown area, and Route 90, which comes in at 62nd Street in northern Ocean City. The Route 90 bridge, however, is closed inbound for repaving and likely won't reopen until mid-May; outbound traffic is not affected.

GETTING AROUND: Traffic is not an issue, but taking the bus is a good idea if you're imbibing. It runs around the clock at half-hour intervals along Coastal Highway, the main drag through Ocean City, and costs $2 for the day.

WHERE TO STAY: Dozens of hotels stay open during the winter, and rates drop by at least 70 percent in the off-season. Expect to pay $75 to $85 a night during a non-holiday winter weekend for a room at a decent chain hotel with a restaurant and an indoor pool. Choices include the Holiday Inn Oceanfront (800-837-3588, http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/ ) at 67th Street and the Howard Johnson Oceanfront Plaza Hotel (800-926-1122, http://www.hjooceanfrontplaza.com/ ) at 12th Street. If you prefer independent hotels, the Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums (800-641-0011, http://www.carouselhotel.com/ ) at 118th Street has an indoor skating rink, while the Edge (888-371-5400, http://www.fagers.com/ ), bayside at 60th Street, is an upscale adult choice.

Condos, which typically have a one-week minimum in high season, often are available for long weekends in winter; expect to pay about $200 for three nights for a one-bedroom off the beach. Rental agents include Coldwell Banker (800-633-1000, http://www.cbvacations.com/ ), Shoreline Properties (800-492-5832, http://www.shorepro.com/ ) and Holiday Real Estate (800-638-2102, http://www.holidayoc.com/ ).

If you're hard-core, tent camping is permitted year-round at Assateague Island National Seashore; no reservations required Oct. 16 to April 14. Info: 410-641-3030, http://www.nps.gov/asis .

WHERE TO EAT: If you can't imagine O.C. without an all-you-can-eat buffet, the Bonfire Restaurant & Nite Club (410-524-7171) at 71st Street is open weekends for dinner. Many traditional restaurants are open year-round, including old standbys Fager's Island Restaurant & Bar (410-524-5500), bayside at 60th Street; Fresco's Restaurant & Wine Bar (410-524-8202), bayside at 82nd Street; and the Shark (410-723-1221, open Thursday-Sunday), bayside at 46th Street. If you want to try something new, the cigar-and-martini-friendly Liquid Assets Wine & Martini Bar (410-524-7037) is drawing a crowd with its recently opened nonsmoking room. If you don't have room for a real meal of seared scallops over wild mushroom risotto, nibble on an assortment of fragrant cheeses washed down with Lillypilly wine.

WHAT TO DO:

· Shopping is a popular winter sport at the beach. Ocean City Factory Outlets (410-213-7898, http://www.ocfactoryoutlets.com/ ), just before you cross the Route 50 bridge, has the usual collection of Nautica-Hilfiger-Gap stores. Or drive north to Rehoboth's Tanger Outlet Centers (302-226-9223, http://www.tangeroutlet.com/ ) for its 130 stores. For an eclectic mix of antiques and gifts, hit the stores along Coastal Highway .

· Golfing goes year-round. Cold winds can make the courses unplayable, but there's always that sweet series of midwinter days above 50 degrees. More than a dozen courses are in nearby Bishopville and Berlin. Several nice courses -- Eagle's Landing (800-283-3846), Bay Club (800-229-2582) and Beach Club Golf Links (800-435-9223) -- offer winter weekend greens fees of less than $40, compared with $75 and up in the high seasons of spring and fall. If miniature golf is more your speed, Old Pro Golf's indoor and outdoor courses (888-653-7761, http://www.oldprogolf.com/ ) at 68th Street are open year-round.

· Nature lovers have room to amble and explore. The wild ponies at nearby Assateague Island National Seashore (410-641-1441, http://www.nps.gov/asis ), sporting their stuffed-animal-fluffy winter coats, are easy to see. Waterfowl that visit only in winter, including brants and greater snow geese, flock to the area's bays. Beach walks with man's best friend (leashed, of course) are permitted.

· Special-interest crowds show up each weekend to attend events at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Upcoming events include an antiques and collectibles show March 10-12.

INFO: Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-626-2326, http://www.ococean.com/ .