Typically, everybody thinks about Ocean City in the winter, plans in the Spring, enjoys the summer in our beach resort town and then leaves the beach for work, school, and family obligations after Labor Day. I’m here to tell you that there isn’t a more beautiful place to visit than Assateague Island after Labor Day.
Ashley Mowery-Steele – Horses joining us for a beach picnic on Assateague Island. Summer is about people and the joy of hot days at the beach, but Assateague after Labor Day has its own advantages.
The sun is lower in the sky, it’s golden light seems more golden, the shadows seem longer, and the beach is relatively deserted. Gone are the crowds and with them some of the excitement and fun of a beautiful summer beach resort. However, while there may be nostalgia for kids laughing and playing in the surf, the quiet and solitude of a wide open beach with lots of wildlife and waves dotted with surfers has its own reward.
Surfers at Assateague waiting for waves from Hurricane Lee.
Hurricanes churn the Atlantic and if we are lucky, they travel north far off the coast, not threatening any beaches but churning up larger waves that push towards shore with long period swells. This is what the surfer waits all year for and what she plays on during this fleeting time of year.
You can even work from the beach!
If you want to see magical beauty, because there is no other way to describe it, then pack your beach chairs, a bottle of water, and perhaps even a blanket and head to Assateague Island.
Everybody can enjoy Assateague. There are benches and elevated boardwalks so you can see the ocean even if you don’t want to walk on the beach.Assateague after Labor Day offers wide open vistas and green dune grasses as well as the blue skies and deep blue green ocean.You won’t believe the colors at Assateague when the days get shorter after Labor Day.This picture was taken with an iPhone – no color adjustment. It is truly that magical on Assateague.You can build a bonfire on the beach below the mean high tide line if you want to linger longer and enjoy the chill that late summer and autumn bring to the beach. A group gathering requires a permit.To cap off the beauty, a rainbow appeared where the pot of gold was the Assateague sign.As you leave the island, you pass the marshes. Frequently filled with birds and even the wild ponies, this view is just as beautiful as the beach.
Congratulations to the Trio of families that are now best of friends for winning Oceancity.com’s August Sand Castle Contest! We can’t wait to see what you’re planning for next year! Let’s meet The Baker Family from Eldersburg, Maryland.
Family Name: Baker
Who are the members and ages of your family:
Chad 52, Stacey 50, Ridgley 20, Ryan 18
Where are you from? Eldersburg, MD
How long is your drive? 3 hours
Where do you like to stay? Mid town 52-53rd St
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? Since we were all very young children
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: Set up beach camp to include building huge pile for Sandcastle later, bike riding and walking
Beach or Pool: Beach all the way
Favorite Beach Snack: Twizzlers
Must have items in your beach bag: Towel, chair clips, magazines, snacks, paint brush, napkins, trash bag, sunglasses cleaner, tissue
Breakfast Spot: beach
Lunch Spot: beach
Dinner Restaurant: Belly Busters delivered to the beach
Boardwalk Store: K Coast
Ice Cream Flavors: Dumsers black raspberry
Popcorn Flavors: caramel
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Both
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? Ridgley and Ryan
Who is the better mini golf player? Ryan
Who packs the most clothes? Stacey
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Everyone
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Ryan
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Ridgley
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
We enjoy the small town resort feeling that allows you to enjoy a beautiful clean beach relaxing with family and friends. The sunrises are invigorating and the sunsets are calming and beautiful. The salt air and hustle of the town always makes you feel like a kid again the minute you arrive.
Congratulations to the Trio of families that won the August Sand Castle Contest. Ocean City has truly brought people together and helped to create life long friends and even more memories. Let’s meet The Leahy Family from Holmes, New York!
Family Name: Leahy
Who are the members and ages of your family:
John and Laura, Kelly (27), Jill (24), Cara (22), Emma (18), Michael (17)
Where are you from? Holmes, NY
How long is your drive? 5 hours on a good day
Where do you like to stay? Seal Beach on 52nd St.
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? 23 years
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: Dunkin’ and Fractured Prune runs
Beach or Pool: Beach, always
Favorite Beach Snack: Tootsie Pops
Must have items in your beach bag: sunscreen and a good book
Breakfast Spot: Bad Monkey
Lunch Spot: Lunch on the Beach
Dinner Restaurant: In our kitchen or on the beach at 8pm
Boardwalk Store: Kite Loft
Ice Cream Flavors: Mint Chocolate Chip
Popcorn Flavors: Caramel
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Swim in the ocean and then a beach nap
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? No one really, can’t cut into beach time!
Who packs the most clothes? Jill
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Michael
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Emma
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Kelly
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
Ocean City has become a home away from home for our family. We have made life long friends who have become family over the years. Ocean City holds such special memories for our family and we always eagerly anticipate coming back each year.
Congratulations to the Trio of Families that won the last sand castle contest of the summer. The amount of skill that it takes to create these sand sculptures is incredible. But the amount of fun surpasses it all. Let’s learn about one third of the winners- the Polsinelli Family from Baltimore, Maryland.
Family Name: Polsinelli
Anthony, age 59
Denise, age 58
Gabriella, age 29
Gabriella’s Husband Christopher, age 30
Christina, age 25
Where are you from? Baltimore
How long is your drive? 2½ hrs
Where do you like to stay? Constellation House – 52nd st oceanfront
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? 40 yrs
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: watching the sunrise from the beach while setting up chairs and umbrellas for our entire group, taking a walk
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk the boardwalk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Can’t decide cause we do both everyday
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? Gabriella and Christina
Who is the better mini golf player? Anthony
Who packs the most clothes? Denise
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Anthony & Christina
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Christina
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Anthony
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
We go the same week every year (White Marlin Open week), stay at the same place and look forward to spending the week with our OC families again. We stay on the beach all day (and evening), build sand sculptures every day, play games and even have a fire pit one night with food and music. It’s a blast! Can’t wait to make more OC memories again next year.
Captain Kerry is a native of the Eastern Shore. Born in Milford, DE, he got his start fishing in the Indian River Inlet in 1968 and began fishing full-time the following year. Like many fishermen in the area, Kerry came from a fishing family. His father was an avid sport fisherman. Although he passed away when Kerry was six, Kerry continued his legacy of sportfishing, which took him to many places around the world, including the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Virgin Islands. Though he enjoyed traveling, he was often gone for up to three months at a time, which made it hard to settle down and start a family. Eventually, his brother proposed they work together, and Kerry settled back on the Eastern Shore in 1979. It wasn’t until right before the COVID-19 pandemic began that his current business, Seaborn Seafood, was able to come to full fruition with the help of his son and grandson. With his son taking over operations on the Seaborn, and his grandson taking over operations on the Integrity, another one of Kerry’s boats,
Seaborn’s vessel, Integrity, is docked in the West Ocean City Marina. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
Kerry was able to shift his focus to starting a more permanent seafood market, and thus, Seaborn Seafood was born. Currently, three generations work at Seaborn, and another generation is right in line to learn the family business. Kerry’s daughter also helps with cutting fish and operating the market. Kerry explained that when it gets busy in the summer, he is thankful to have some extra help with cutting, as it is difficult for them to cut fish as quickly as they sell them. Though not nearly as busy in the winter, Kerry explained that even during that time of year they bring in a great diversity of seafood including lobsters, seabass, monkfish, squid, porgys, and mackerel. Moving more into spring, they will begin to catch more tuna, swordfish, pomfret, and mako shark. Seaborn Seafood is able to bring in such a diversity of products because they utilize several different fishing methods. One of these methods uses a longline, which is comprised of a very long trail of fishing line with many baited hooks. Kerry said that they typically use about 20 miles of fishing line during their longline trips. These lines can be set at many different depths depending on what species the fisher is trying to catch or avoid.
The logo for Seaborn Seafood at their stand in the West Ocean City Marina. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
The Seaborn also utilizes traps known as pots, similar to the well-known ones used to catch the blue crab. Kerry noted that out of all his gear, pots typically take the most preparation as you have to set, retrieve, and clean them and make sure they are in running order for the start of the season. For a relatively small boat that Kerry built himself, it is impressive that the Seaborn has three different fishing options on board. Kerry built the Seaborn from scratch, and it has been through everything with him. He has taken the Seaborn to the Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and even Cuba. It is equipped with living quarters, showers, a galley, and is still able to hold twenty thousand pounds of fish below deck. In addition to their adventures, Kerry and the Seaborn have also seen many changes to the commercial fishing industry and the OC Fisherman’s Marina since their first voyage.
Kerry and his grandson. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
Despite its many challenges, Kerry loves the life that fishing has given him and appreciates all of the places he was able to see. Every day he is on the water, he enjoys the “excitement of the unknown” and the anticipation of seeing what is in his net or at the end of the lines. With the establishment of Seaborn Seafood, Kerry has been able to get experience with the market and retail end of seafood sales, where he enjoys some added bonuses. “The neatest part [of retail] is to meet so many people. Everybody’s got a story to tell. That is another really rewarding part of this job”, he says. Alongside the great people he meets at the market, he also appreciates other fishermen in the harbor who are like family to him. In the future, Kerry is looking forward to further mentoring the younger generations at Seaborn Seafood. His great grandsons, seven-year-old twins and a two-year-old, already practice throwing a cast net with him. He worries a lack of young people will cause the industry to die off, but he always hopes to “keep the light lit” so the commercial fishing fleet of Ocean City can continue to persist. Though he is unsure about the future of Ocean City’s commercial fishing industry, Kerry only has plans to expand his company
For over two decades, OceanCity.com has stood as the quintessential source of information, inspiration, and connection for Ocean City and its vibrant community. Since our inception in 1999, our platform has been dedicated to illuminating the myriad businesses, individuals, attractions, and the very essence that defines the Ocean City area. We don’t just inform; we empower visitors to craft their perfect vacations, ensuring unforgettable experiences with every visit.
Beyond being a beacon for tourists, we are the pulse of Ocean City’s news, serving as a dedicated source for updates that matter to those seeking the Ocean City experience. Our commitment extends far beyond the confines of mere text—our live webcams, videos, and captivating imagery immerse you in the sights and sounds of this coastal gem. We’re not just about commerce; we embrace our role as stewards of the local community by sharing valuable insights from non-profit organizations.
In the face of Mother Nature’s fury, we stand resilient, covering the impact of storms as they ebb and flow, safeguarding our readers with timely information. Perhaps most significantly, OceanCity.com is more than a static entity; we’re an interactive hub, responsive to the needs and queries of both visitors and businesses. It’s through this dynamic engagement that we’ve proudly reached over 12 million individuals in the past 28 days alone. In essence, OceanCity.com is more than a website; it’s a vibrant, living testament to the Ocean City experience, and we’re here to make your journey unforgettable.
OceanCity.com’s Facebook page reaches over 12 million people in the last 28 days!
If you haven’t liked and followed the OceanCity.com Facebook page, you are missing out.
For Visitors, OceanCity.com is Your Ultimate Vacation Planning Hub
Stephanie Ryan entered the Photo Friday Contest with this image of the perfect summer vacation in Ocean City.
Planning a vacation can be a thrilling yet daunting task. From selecting the perfect place to stay to finding the finest dining experiences and discovering exciting activities, the choices are endless. Fortunately, OceanCity.com is here to simplify your vacation planning process and enhance your Ocean City experience. The immense value of OceanCity.com for travelers seeking accommodations, restaurant recommendations, and a comprehensive list of things to do is due to the work OceanCity.com does to partner with businesses across town so we can find the best Ocean City has to offer. That is why businesses should partner with OceanCity.com to connect with potential customers, backed by impressive statistics that demonstrate our outreach.
Vacation Planning Made Easy for Over A Million Visitors Each Year
Ocean City offers a wide array of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to cozy beachfront cottages. Navigating this sea of choices can be overwhelming, but OceanCity.com’s user-friendly interface and extensive listings make it a breeze. Our comprehensive database of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals complete with detailed descriptions, photos, and reviews, ensures you can find the perfect place to stay that suits your budget and preferences. The platform allows you to compare prices, check availability, and even book directly, saving you time and effort.
The culinary scene in Ocean City is diverse and vibrant, featuring a multitude of dining establishments. There are many new restaurants with menus and drinks that make you think you are in the vibrant downtown of a big city rather than your favorite beach resort on the Eastern Shore. OceanCity.com offers a dedicated section for restaurant recommendations, where you can explore an extensive list of dining options. Each listing includes information on cuisine, price range, location helping you make informed choices. Our “Save Money Ocean City” group offers a platform to ask for advice and receive it, Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, international flavors, or a cozy family-friendly spot, OceanCity.com has you covered.
Ocean City is not just about its pristine beaches; it’s a hub of entertainment and activities. OceanCity.com provides a comprehensive guide to the city’s attractions, events, and recreational opportunities. From water sports and amusement parks to historical landmarks and cultural festivals, you can explore a plethora of options to fill your itinerary. The website’s detailed descriptions, insider tips, and event calendars ensure you won’t miss out on any exciting experiences during your vacation.
Businesses Partnering with OceanCity.com
In the digital age, businesses recognize the importance of online presence and engagement with potential customers. OceanCity.com offers a valuable platform for businesses to connect with their target audience, thanks to its impressive reach and engagement statistics:
Facebook: OceanCity.com’s Facebook page boasts remarkable engagement numbers, reaching over 12 million people in the last 28 days and being followed by over 230,000 individuals. This extensive reach ensures that businesses partnering with OceanCity.com can tap into a massive potential customer base through social media.
Businesses attract the perfect Ocean City customer on OceanCity.com’s Facebook page.
Website Traffic: With well over 1 million unique potential customers visiting the OceanCity.com site annually, businesses have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a highly motivated audience actively seeking information and recommendations about Ocean City.
OceanCity.com attracted over 1/2 a million unique users in just 90 days!
Newsletter Subscribers: OceanCity.com’s newsletter boasts an impressive subscriber base of over 65,000. This means businesses can directly reach a substantial audience interested in the latest updates, promotions, and offerings in Ocean City.
Instagram: OceanCity.com’s Instagram following exceeds 30,000, providing an additional avenue for businesses to engage with potential customers and share their offerings. This platform is a priority and is showing continued growth.
By partnering with OceanCity.com, businesses gain access to a powerful marketing channel that not only increases their online visibility but also connects them with a vast and engaged audience actively seeking information and services related to Ocean City.
Helping Travelers Find Businesses and Vice Versa
OceanCity.com is a valuable resource for travelers looking to plan their Ocean City vacation, offering a one-stop-shop for finding accommodations, restaurant recommendations, and discovering things to do. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive listings make vacation planning a breeze. Moreover, businesses stand to benefit immensely from partnering with OceanCity.com, given its impressive outreach on Facebook, website traffic, newsletter subscribers, and Instagram followers. It’s a win-win situation, where travelers find the best experiences, and businesses find their ideal customers, all through the vibrant platform that is OceanCity.com. So, dive into the Ocean City experience with OceanCity.com, and make your vacation unforgettable.
Historically, the “Pop-up Rally” car event occurs near the end of September. In anticipation of the possibility of the event coming back to Ocean City, all roads within the Town of Ocean City will be designated a SpecialEventZone beginning Tuesday, September 19, 2023, through Sunday, September 24, 2023.
While the event appears to have moved on from calling Ocean City its home, the Ocean City Police Department and the Town of Ocean City want to ensure our residents and visitors that we remain vigilant and proactive to ensure the Town is a safe and welcoming destination. The “Pop-up Rally” is a car meet/show driven by social media rather than an organized event with a designated promoter. Therefore, the eventcan occur whenever and wherever they are promoted on social media. The Ocean City Police Department will continue to monitor social media along with having a presence on our roadways.
Slower Speed Limits and Increased Fines for Violations
The SpecialEventZone reduces established speed limits in the zone and increases fines for violations. The maximum speed limit in Ocean City will be 30 mph. Additionally, legislation signed in 2020 allows for increased penalties for specific motor vehicle violations. Similar to a Construction Zone, violators will face increased fines or, in some cases, arrest.
Significant Police Presence
During this time frame, citizens should expect to see a significant police presence within the Town of Ocean City. Officers will strictly enforce all traffic laws. If the event does occur, residents and visitors can expect some traffic congestion, and alternate traffic patterns are anticipated throughout the weekend.
Walk Smart!
Spectators are urged to keep the sidewalks clear for pedestrian traffic and should not incite the spinning of wheels or “burn-outs” by motorists. Officers will enforce all laws for spectators who incite drivers and enforce the violations with the driver. Further, with high pedestrian traffic expected, pedestrians are urged to Walk Smart! and always use crosswalks when crossing roadways. Wait for the signal to change, and be sure drivers see you while crossing.
Summer break may be ending but the Town of Ocean City has big events scheduled which will affect the inlet parking lot as well as the municipal lot at N. Division Street. The Inlet Parking Lot will be closed for public parking from Sunday, September 10th until Sunday, October 8, 2023, to accommodate several upcoming events. The N. Division Street lot will only be closed during Oceans Calling.
Upcoming Events That Will Use the Parking Lot
The bikes roared into town on September 16th 2021 for Bike Week
Ocean City Bike Fest Closures (9/10 – 9/17)
The Inlet Lot will be hosting several large events during the month of September and October. The first event will be OC BikeFest. While OC BikeFest is scheduled to occur from September 13th through September 17th, the promoters will start setting up the concert and vendor area on Sunday, September 10th. During the event, OC BikeFest will have limited motorcycle-only parking in the Inlet Lot. Parking spaces will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Oceans Calling Closures
(Inlet Lot 9/18-10/4 and Municipal Lot at North Division Street 9/20-10/4)
As OC BikeFest begins to break down its event, the Inlet Lot will transition right into setting up for the Oceans Calling Festival. In addition, the Municipal Parking Lot at North Division Street will be closed from Wednesday, September 20th until approximately Wednesday, October 4th to accommodate the set-up and breakdown and will serve as part of the concert footprint area. The Oceans Calling Festival will take place from September 29th through October 1st.
Endless Summer Cruising’ Closures (10/5-10/8)
After the Oceans Calling Festival, the Inlet Parking Lot will transition over to the Endless Summer Cruisin’ Event. The Endless Summer Cruisin’ Event is scheduled for Thursday, October 5th through Sunday, October 8th. Vehicles participating in the Endless Summer Cruisin’ Event will be permitted to park in the Inlet Parking Lot from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The promoter would like to remind participants that the Inlet Parking lot fills up quickly on Friday and Saturday, therefore being in the parade does not guarantee parking in the Inlet. The Inlet Lot Parking will be available to the public after 5 p.m. each day during this event. The Inlet Lot will resume normal operations after 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Alternative Parking Options
If you paid for parking in Ocean City, check your charges
There are several alternatives for municipal and street parking during the Inlet Lot closure. If you plan to attend one of these events or take a stroll on the Boardwalk, visit our website to learn about our parking options. Parking information available here: https://www.oceancity.com/parking/
The Ocean City Inlet Lot will be closed to public parking from Sunday, September 10 until Sunday, October 8, 2023. The lot will re-open to the public after 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8th.
Plan for Congestion
Bring friends and try all the hand-mixed cocktails at the Wedge overlooking the inlet in Ocean City, MD.
The downtown area is expected to be congested over the next several weeks with lots of great events happening. Plan to leave early and stay a little later to avoid traffic congestion. Parking will be limited, especially during the Oceans Calling Festival. The Ocean City Beach Bus is a great alternative to trying to find parking in the busy downtown area.
Let’s take a walking tour of downtown Ocean City with Glenn Irwin, the previous Executive Director of the Ocean City Development Corporation, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and betterment of downtown Ocean City, Maryland. If you are looking for something to do in Ocean City, then put on your walking shoes and get ready to dive back into the history or our oceanfront resort town.
Old Town Ocean City, MD
Just a little background on downtown Ocean City which is the oldest part of Ocean City. Much of “Old Town” is found south of N. Division Street or the road where Route 50 bridge enters Ocean City. It developed in the late 1800’s. There are several buildings still around from that era. This walking tour loop is one of many options and covers about 1 mile in length. It highlights several buildings, properties and projects in the downtown area. Each building, property, and street in downtown has its own story, history, and special points of interests. It is these elements that make Ocean City and its downtown area such an interesting and loved place for so many residents and visitors.
Sunset Park
Here, Glenn starts his downtown Ocean City walking tour at Sunset Park.
This walking tour starts at Sunset Park, which is located at 700 S. Philadelphia Avenue, just south of the US Coast Guard station, near the inlet. The park was designed with the cooperation of the Town of Ocean City and Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) in 2006. Prior to this use the property was a dead-end street that was primarily used for construction staging operations for off-season capital projects by the Town. Historically this street, which is the extension of S. Division Street to the bay was the location of the train bridge that connected Ocean City to West Ocean City. This train bridge was destroyed in the 1933 storm, which also created the Ocean City inlet. The train served two purposes; to bring people to Ocean City and to transport fish caught by OC locals to larger markets. Before tourism, fishing was an important industry for the early residents of Ocean City.
Currently, Sunset Park is used for a variety of events, including weddings, free weekly concerts, during the summer season, and as a passive park. It is also the location of the Shore Craft Beer festival that will be held on October 28th of this year. It is a very popular location for birdwatchers, too.
Sunset Park in Ocean City is a great place for live music.
Immediately to the south of Sunset Park is a privately owned property that has been approved for an 8-story hotel with restaurant. Pursuit of a development permit and construction of this new project is expected to start sometime after this 2023 summer season.
Cropper’s Fish Camp
The historic Cropper’s Fish Camp House in downtown Ocean City, MD.
Heading east along S. Division Street one will come to 103 South Division Street. This structure was built about 1912 and is very similar to many of the older buildings that were constructed in Ocean City at that time and referred to as a “Fish Camp” house. These housed often served as the office of the fish camp owner and provided housing for the fishing crew. These were very simple buildings with deep front porches. This specific building was also included in the setting of the 1984 movie called “Violets Are Blue” which featured Sissy Spacek and Kevin Kline.
Many locations in downtown Ocean City have historic plaques or signs.
Henry Hotel
The Henry Hotel, an historic hotel in Ocean City, MD which was owned by and operated for African Americans.
Immediately east of this building, one arrives at the Henry Hotel. Sometimes referred to as the Henry’s Colored Hotel due to its importance in the segregation years of Ocean City. It was constructed in 1916 and was listed on the “green book” of places that African-Americans were only allowed to stay during the segregation days of the 1960s and prior. This building is on the Worcester County African-American Heritage Trail. A nonprofit organization, called the Henry Hotel Foundation was recently established to work with the property owners to renovate the building as well as to highlight its importance in the history of Ocean City.
Trimper Rides
One of the oldest operating carousels in the United States.
From this location we walk south along S. Baltimore Avenue passing the Trimper Rides to our east. The Trimper Rides have been a mainstay in Ocean City for over a century and along with the boardwalk, attract many visitors to the downtown area. The highlight of these carnival rides is the 1902 Hershman-Spellman carousel which is contained in the interior of the Trimper Rides building. Making a left turn we enter S. 1st Street, which runs through the Trimper Rides on both sides of the street. This attractive pedestrian way that runs from S. Baltimore Avenue to the boardwalk was a joint project of the State of Maryland, OCDC, Town of Ocean City, and Trimper Rides. This project was completed about 2005.
Ocean City Boardwalk
You can see many interesting locations just off the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. Here, Glenn is showing us Somerset Plaza.
This pedestrian street takes us to the popular Ocean City boardwalk which dates back to 1902. Several of the property owners would install boardwalk decking in front of their properties and remove it once the season was over. In 1920, a permanent boardwalk was constructed. The boardwalk was totally redesigned in 1999 and has been re-decked over the past two winters. The boardwalk has been rated one of the best boardwalks in the country. The boardwalk runs from the Ocean City Inlet to 27th Street; it is 2 1/4 miles long. The beach and boardwalk are two primary attractions for Ocean City visitors as well as its residents.
Ocean City Lifesaving Museum
The Ocean City Lifesaving Museum is a great thing to do in Ocean City, MD.
From S.1st Street, one can look or walk to the south end of the boardwalk and see the Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum. This museum has a number of very good exhibits that tell some interesting stories of the history of this area. It also serves as the historic research and depository of records for the Town of Ocean City. Originally this 1891 building was located at Caroline Street and the boardwalk, however, in the 1970s, it was relocated to the current spot at the south end of the boardwalk.
Some of the Oldest Buildings in Ocean City
Walking northwards along the boardwalk from S. 1st Street, one will see some of the oldest buildings and businesses in Ocean City. For example, Dolle’s Candyland store at Wicomico Street which is over 100 years old. On the east side of the boardwalk is the pier building, constructed in 1926; it contains more rides and attractions and is managed by Jolly Rogers Amusements. On the Boardwalk side of this building is Thrasher French Fries and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum. Continuing north, we pass by Wicomico Street which contains many of the popular bars that serve locals and visitors alike.
Atlantic Hotel
The Atlantic Hotel is on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland.
Walking further north one will see many of the boardwalk businesses that have been in existence for many years. Of significance is the Atlantic Hotel, which was originally built in 1875 and is considered the founding of the Town of Ocean City. This building burned down in 1925. It was rebuilt the following year and continues to serve Ocean City visitors in this prime boardwalk spot.
Somerset Plaza
Somerset Plaza has a park-like feel and free wifi.
Further north we pass the archway sign of Somerset Plaza, which is a semi pedestrian street designed and constructed by the OCDC and Town of Ocean City in 2002. Along this street are a number of businesses and an eatery that provides outdoor seating. During the summer months, there are several smaller special events held on the street, for example, car displays by the OC Cruzers and their custom cars.
Public Art
Public art in downtown Ocean City MD
Just north of the Belmont Tower building at Dorchester Street, one will find Fishers Popcorn store, a long-standing business in Ocean City. Now we head back to Dorchester Street and walk west passing some of the wall murals completed as part of the OCDC public art program as well as several of the 35 painted utility boxes found throughout the downtown area. Many of these projects are joint projects between the OCDC and the Art League of Ocean City.
Bank of Ocean City becomes the New Ocean City Life Saving Museum Annex
Coming to the corner of S. Baltimore Avenue and Dorchester Street one sees the former Bank Ocean City building, which was donated by the Bank to the Town of Ocean City about 2 years ago. This building is expected to be under full renovation after the summer of 2023 with the intent of it becoming an annex to the OC Lifesaving Station Museum. It will contain a number of exhibits and information on the history of Ocean City.
Employee Housing
On the west side of S. Baltimore Avenue at the same intersection, one can see the recently constructed Fat Daddys restaurant, a popular eatery. This building also contains upper floor employee housing. The Downtown has a high concentration of employee housing; particularly seasonal housing for American and foreign workers. The summer labor force is vital to the overall Ocean City economy. Many of these foreign college students come via what is called a J-1 program, which allows a student to work four months at their host city. Many of Ocean City’s J-1 students come from East Europe, Dominican Republic, parts of Asia, and several other countries.
Dorchester Street/Talbot Street
St Marys by the Sea Catholic Church is the oldest building in Ocean City.
Continuing our walking tour north along S. Baltimore Ave., we pass the Dorchester/Talbot block, which has a number of recently constructed and renovated buildings. Many of these buildings were assisted by the OCDC and its façade improvement program which provides state funds for building renovation of older buildings. At 208 S. Baltimore Avenue, one passes the Saint Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, which is considered the oldest building in Ocean City. This church was constructed about 1897. It has been fully renovated and is one of several downtown churches, which play in important role in the Ocean city community.
More Ocean City Historic Buildings
Glenn describes some of the historic buildings during his downtown walking tour.
Continuing one block north on S. Baltimore Ave., we come to Caroline Street. At the southwest corner of this intersection is a building which is one of the few and oldest Victorian era style buildings in Ocean City. This building contains Soprano’s Pizza restaurant on the first floor and residential units on the upper floors. Continuing west on Caroline Street we arrive at a very quiet street (one way traffic west bound only) surprisingly, considering it’s only one block south of the heavily trafficked N. Division Street. This street contains a number of older buildings.
White Marlin Fountain Welcomes You to Ocean City
The white marlin fountain welcomes you to Ocean City. It sits at the foot of the Route 50 bridge.
At the intersection of this street and S. Philadelphia Avenue, we see the welcoming White Marlin sculpture and water feature positioned at the entrance of Ocean City, at the base of Route 50 bridge. This significant stainless-steel sculpture was OCDC ‘s first public art project and was constructed in 2002 with private donations. The water feature was added one year afterwards with additional private contributions.
Turning left and heading south on S. Philadelphia Avenue, one can see a large number of older buildings. Many of these continue to provide employee and year-round housing for Ocean City and its strong tourism economy.
Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters
The Ocean City Beach Patrol headquarters is a beautiful building in downtown Ocean City, MD.
Located at the south east corner of S. Philadelphia Avenue and Talbot Street is the Ocean City Beach Patrol headquarters. This is an important facility for all of Ocean City and in particular an anchor for the downtown district. This attractive building was constructed about 2015 and solidified the importance of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and its history. It is a good example of a newly constructed building following the downtown design standards.
Tarry A While Guest House
The Tarry A While is a fully renovated historic building which now houses OCDC and Beach Patrol housing.
Immediately south of this building at 108 Dorchester St. is the office of the OCDC which also provides housing for the summer lifeguards on the second and third floors. This building is called the Tarry A While Guesthouse; constructed in 1897. It was originally located at 8 Dorchester Street but was moved by the Town of Ocean City and OCDC in 2005 to save from demolition as that property was slated for redevelopment. It was fully restored by the Town and OCDC. Its wide porches, lap siding, and dormers make for an attractive seaside style architecture building that was often found in downtown Ocean City.
Boardwalk Style Walkway in front of Sunset Park and the Coast Guard Facility
The boardwalk style pavers were designed to mimic a boardwalk and to help realize the Town’s dream to have a bayside boardwalk.
Continuing on the west side of S. Philadelphia Avenue is a very wide pedestrian walkway. This was constructed as part of the 2008 street improvements of S. Philadelphia Avenue by the Maryland State Highway Administration. As one passes Dorchester Street to the west, you can see a number of older buildings that are used for seasonal employee housing.
Historic Ocean City Railway Station Location
Continuing southwards one passes the parking lot of the Kitchen restaurant. The parking lot of this restaurant was the actual location of the Ocean City railway station prior to the 1933 storm that destroyed the railroad bridge coming into Ocean City. Just south of this block is the Dumser’s Dairyland ice cream factory. You may notice, this building is a small replica of the pier building located on the boardwalk that currently contains the Ripley’s Museum.
US Coast Guard Station
We close out our walking tour passing the US Coast Guard station, which is immediately north of Sunset Park. The Coast Guard station is an important facility that provides safety to both recreational and commercial boaters on the Ocean City area waterways. If you have a chance to take this walking tour of downtown Ocean City, as mentioned, it is merely a summary of some of the interesting things one will find in the downtown area. For information on the history of Ocean City, one of the best places to start with the Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum located at the south end of the Boardwalk.
With Fall just around the corner, a few things come to mind. Hot apple cider, pumpkins, and the colorful changing of the leaves in Berlin, Maryland. And there is no better place to be than right in the middle of it than riding through the foliage on a rustic train rail.
A Relaxing Outdoor Experience
Get a group of friends together for an ultimate Tracks and Yaks experience.
Tracks and Yaks, the hot new attraction, that has people flocking to Berlin opened on July 15th. Just off of Main Street, Tracks and Yaks is a fun new experience that takes adventure seekers on a railbike ride through the farm area and country all while being lead by experienced tour guides.
Choose Your Distance
There are currently two ride options. The shortest ride is a 3 mile out and back ride ride (6 miles total) along the flat back areas of Berlin. This leisurely ride takes about an hour and a half on average. The second option is a 6 1/2 out and back (13 miles) ride with a slight detour to a preserved 1870’s Railroad station. This ride takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. Both rides pause in the middle, while tour guides turn your bikes around, you can take in the pretty views, take photos, or just enjoy a bike break.
Two types of railbikes are available. There are 2 seater bikes that sit higher off the ground, while four seater bikes sit a bit lower. Each railbike is equipped to hold 2-4 people. However only one person is required to pedal to keep the railbike in motion. While cruising along taking in the beautiful backroad scenery, bikes stay 40-50 feet apart for maximum safety.
A Experience for All Ages
Tracks and Yaks is fun for all ages.
Tracks and Yaks has been deemed an activity for all ages. As long as you can reach the pedals, you can ride! Babies are welcome. It’s recommended they be in a chest carrier of some sort. Elderly can join in. They can even take a break from pedaling while others keep the bike moving. There are 13 bikes in the fleet. Tracks and Yaks can accommodate up to 46 people at a time. Large groups are welcome and encouraged! Loose and comfy clothing is recommended along with closed toed shoes and a hat to keep the sun from your face. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks. The railbikes even have cup holders to keep your pumpkin spice lattes safe.
Back in 2019, Tracks and Yaks started a lease a portion of the tracks for the adventure. They’re originally owned by the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware Railroads. They’ve been out of commission since 1870.
Book Your Trip While There’s Still Time
Fall foliage is coming up and what better way to see it than on a Tracks and Yaks railbike?
Tracks and Yaks plans to stay open well into the Fall season. They hope to remain open until the end of November, or possibly extending into the first week of December, weather depending. And then plan to open back up around Easter. To book your railbike experience, visit Tracks and Yaks Berlin. Booking ahead of time is very encouraged.
Join the fun, Fall foliage, and festival feeling of Fall with a relaxing trip with Tracks and Yaks! It’ll be the highlight of your Autumn season.
This article is adapted from articles originally written by Cailyn Joseph.
While Ocean City (OC) is loved by locals and visitors alike for its decadent seafood, the entire array of OC’s seafood often goes unnoticed and underappreciated. Most associate lobster with the chilly waters of New England rather than the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. However, miles off the Ocean City beach, a bounty of lobster dwells in the depths. No one knows this better than Sonny Gwin, owner of Skilligalee Seafood. Sonny is a dedicated waterman who ensures the local community gets to experience the best seafood OC has to offer – especially the little-known lobsters. Sonny’s fishing career stemmed from his undeniable love for the water. Born in Virginia Beach, he grew up boating, surfing, and sportfishing with his grandfather.
Skilligalee’s owner Sonny Gwin stands with his crab pots. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
He bought his very own boat, the Skilligalee, a 1974 lobster boat. When Sonny finally saw the boat with his own eyes, he bought it on the spot. The first Skilligalee only lasted a few years, but even today you can find Sonny in the Harbor on his second Skilligalee. Their current bread and butter is Black Sea Bass and lobster – and they do it all with pots. Lobster and sea bass pots are very similar to the crab pots commonly found throughout the Coastal Bays. They are cage-like devices with openings that lead to a chamber that is inescapable once entered. They have hatches that open during harvesting, weights to anchor them to the ocean floor, and small openings that act as an escape route for smaller, immature fish. Pots, just like any other fishing method, require a great amount of preparation to get ready for the fishing season.
Crew of the Skilligalee working on their boat. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
For Sonny, preparation begins in January for a late March start. Prep is tedious, as every pot must be cleaned and assessed for usability. While taking care of his existing pots, he also must be sure to construct new ones to replace ones that were broken or lost in the previous season. A look into his backyard reveals his extensive pot collection. Neatly stacked and organized, 1300 pots await their submergence into the waters off Ocean City. Final touches include replacing clasps and patching up holes. “You want to make sure everything is in good condition when you are ready to start fishing because you don’t want to be fixing anything out on the water.” Sonny will check his pots consistently every seven to ten days throughout the season. He usually leaves them out until late December, but this year he hopes to bring them all in by Thanksgiving. “You put them out, blink your eyes, and then it’s time to bring them back home.” Sonny has pots for both offshore and inshore sites. Though lobsters are typically more offshore, Sonny finds that there is often overlap in what he gets at each site. Along with sea bass and lobster, Sonny also often brings up octopus, Jonah crab, and tilefish.
Owner Sonny Gwin butchering fish from his boat Skilligalee. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
Sonny’s deep passion for fishing shows through his words and his hard work to keep the industry alive. He believes a big misconception that the public has about the commercial fishing industry is that “we [commercial fishermen] are out there killing all the fish.” The United States has some of the most regulated fisheries in the world, and fishermen have to be very careful that they follow all regulations precisely. When purchasing local seafood, you can be sure that the purchase is directly contributing to a healthy fishery and a hard-working fisher. If you want to support Sonny, you can find his boat, which is white with large letters spelling out SKILLIGALEE in the commercial harbor in West Ocean City. He also has a seafood stand on Route 50 across from Stephen Decatur High School. Loyal Skilligalee Seafood customers can stay in the loop by subscribing to their email chain, text chain, or social media pages which are constantly updated with the latest products. In the future, Sonny hopes that he can open a more permanent storefront and maybe even go to some local farmer’s markets! Sonny hopes that his stories and the Voices of the Coastal Bays project encourage people to not only buy his seafood but also support his fellow fishermen and local seafood as a whole.
August is supposed to be the month of blue skies, packed beaches, and hot weather! But not today. The effects of distant storm Hurricane Franklin off the east coast of the mid Atlantic can be seen clearly on the beach in Ocean City Md today. The wind is blowing, the powerful waves are crashing, and the temperature does not reflect the last day of August. Rough surf conditions are expected throughout this weekend, so take care if you are on the beach: always swim near an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard and check in with them before entering the water. Better still, get yourself a good cup of coffee or a delicious slice of pizza and watch the waves from a distance.
Powerful waves on the beach todayAn almost deserted beach at 140th Street looking north towards Fenwick IslandCrashing wavesThere’s large tidal pools all the way up the beach
Grey skies and grey ocean at the beach todayTidal pools left behind from high tide earlier todayIt’s a quiet day on the beach for the last day of AugustNo sunbathers today!Not a good day to be in the ocean.A quiet beachAngry waves!Not many on the beach today
You can watch the beach and its conditions live from our Webcam page here.
You can check out beach conditions from the Ocean City Beach Patrol here.
Keep up to date with the latest from the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) here.
Remember, “Keep your feet in the sand until the Lifeguard’s in the stand.”
According to the CDC website, about 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the United States each year. But the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million, and almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive. The odds of being struck multiple times is even less, with the record being seven times in one lifetime. There are some factors that can put you at greater risk for being struck, such as participating in outdoor recreational activities or working outside. Regional and seasonal differences can also affect your risk of being struck by lightning.
Lightning strikes kill about 30 people a year in the United States. From 2006 through 2021, leisure activities such as fishing, boating, playing sports, and relaxing at the beach accounted for almost two-thirds of lightning deaths. Just this week, lightning killed 2 and critically injured 2 others who had decided to shelter under a grove of trees in Lafayette Park near the White House.
What can look like a clear and sunny evening can turn stormy quickly on these hot summer days. The heat creates conditions ripe for building thunderheads replete with thunder and lightning. Here are some tips to stay safe on the beach:
Listen to the Beach Patrol
Ocean City employs trained life guards on the beaches in Ocean City from Memorial Day to Labor Day. These guards are trained to get you off the beach when conditions deteriorate and they will also let you know when you can return to your pre-storm activities. Please follow their instructions.
Watch the Weather Forecast
Don’t ignore warnings from the local or national weather sources. We all think that if it looks clear, it will stay that way. This isn’t true. If you see thunderheads moving towards you, keep an eye on them. Check your weather app. We like “My Radar” which shows the intensity of the approaching storm. It will also show if the storm that looks threatening initially is actually dissipating. If the storm moves closer or you hear thunder, move inside. Sometimes the storm will actually change direction. Your weather app can help you figure out what is threatening and what is not.
Take cover if you hear thunder
4 times more men than women are struck by lightning and more often on the weekends. This isn’t because men are more magnetic or highly charged. It’s likely to be because men are more likely to be outside recreating and not to go in when storms approach. Don’t be foolish. Take cover and wait to go back outside until the storm passes – which it will and usually rather quickly here at the beach.
NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!
If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Martin-Peletsky Kim – On 30th street. Thunder storm over the ocean.
What if you Can’t Get to Your Hotel Room or Condo?
If you are at Assateague and have taken a walk up the beach when you see a thunderstorm moving quickly in your direction, go to your car and roll up the windows. Shelter there until the storm passes. Don’t stand in a wet shower or lay on the beach. Here are more tips from the National Weather Service:
Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
Never lie flat on the ground
Never shelter under an isolated tree
Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)
What if you are Caught out in a Boat?
Head for shelter as quickly as you can. Being on the water is dangerous in a thunderstorm. According to the CDC, boats with cabins provide some protection. If your boat has a metal superstructure, grounding that to the water with a metal anchor chain may help. We have read that by doing so, you may actually remove some charge from the air and lessen the likelihood of getting struck. If you are in a small open boat, get as low as possible.
According to the CDC, approximately 1/3 of all lightning injuries occur indoors. Avoid water, stay away from electrical objects – and that includes computers that are plugged in, and stay away from windows and porches. Here is the list of indoor safety tips from the CDC.
Avoid water. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing. The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. However, it is best to avoid any contact with plumbing and running water during a lightning storm to reduce your risk of being struck.
Don’t touch electronic equipment. Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, or stoves. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Equip your home with whole-house surge protectors to protect your appliances.
Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do NOT lie on concrete floors or lean on concrete walls during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
Don’t use corded phones. Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. Do NOT use them. However, it is safe to use cordless or cellular phones during a storm.
Waterspouts are actually tornados in the Water and Can Kill
Many like to watch waterspouts and forget that they are actually tornadoes and can damage and kill. This week, a Category 1 tornado looked like a waterspout and caused serious damage on Smith Island, an island in the Chesapeake Bay west of Ocean City. Forgetting that nature is powerful is a dangerous mistake.
Be Patient
There are so many fun things to do in Ocean City while you wait for a storm to pass. Restaurants, the Life Saving Museum, the movies, the Escape Room, browsing the shops… Take the time to enjoy your alternative activity and stay safe doing it. And remember, you might even see a rainbow as the storm passes.
Enjoy the summer and the beach, but please stay safe.
Laura Fisher Akers – “Somewhere over the rainbow“ on the 144th street Beach…
Bananas and coconut and strawberries- oh my! The latest craze has hit Route 50 just outside of Ocean City and it’s Playa Bowls! The delicious refreshing treat of fresh fruits, sweet toppings such as coconut and Nutella, topped with honey is the spot to be on a hot summer day.
A sweet experience at Playa Bowls OC.
Playa Bowls began with life long surfers, Abby Taylor and Rob Giuliani while living about a pizza place in Belmar on the Jersey Shore. The two discovered while chasing waves around the world that each exotic location had their own twist on an acai bowl (pronounced ah-cy-ee). Starting with a blender, small fridge and freezer, and a patio table, the duo became a hit on the boardwalk with vacationers and locals. They realized it was time to take their passion to the next level. Expanding into location such as Easton, Salisbury, and now Ocean City, Playa Bowls is exploding.
What Exactly Is an Acai Bowl?
Choose your base fruit mixture then add in the toppings of your choice!
To be very honest, I went into this completely blind as I had always seen acai bowls in photos on Instagram, but never actually knew what they were. Franchise owner, Tony Giuliani, was extremely gracious to guide me and teach me through my first Playa Bowl experience. So, let me explain! First things first, an acai (ah-cy-ee) is an actual fruit from a palm tree grown in South America. It has its own taste that’s subtly sweet but not overbearing.
An acai bowl begins with a “base.” There are five main bases to choose from depending on your liking. A green base is a mixture of kale, pineapple, banana, and coconut milk. An acai base is a mixture of the highest quality acai berries and milk. A pitaya base is organic pitaya (or dragon fruit) blended with milk. A banana base is a mixture of banana, honey, and almond milk. And coconut base is a mixture of raw coconut, banana, and coconut milk. There is another bonus flavor mango, which has a very strong pronounced taste to it. All bases are blended ahead of time and frozen into large containers for scooping later. Imagine large tubs of colorful ice cream without the calories.
Top That!
Strawberry, coconut, and blueberries are just some of the choices to top off your bowl.
Once you order your base, you can then add the freshest of fruit toppings to your base of choice. I went with a Nutelloco- a coconut base with added bananas and strawberries, topped with coconut flakes and raw cacao nibs and Nutella- minus the granola, just a personal preference. It tasted like a dessert, sweet with the sugar from the fresh fruits and cool from the frozen base. The drizzle of Nutella gave me just the right amount of sweet that I needed to satisfy my sweet tooth.
There are a wide range of toppings to pick from some crunchy like almond slices to sweet like coconut and white chocolate. For more of a natural sweetener they offer honey, bee pollen, and agave. For others who are looking for more nutritional based add ins, wheat grass and vegan proteins are also available to add into your mixture. This world is your playa bowl! And you can get whatever you want added on.
Allergy Safe for Many
Giuliani wanted to bring a healthier option to OC families and vacationers.
As more and more people are learning about food intolerances and food allergies, including local franchise owner, Tony Giuliani, it was important to make sure everyone was included and had options. “There are several gluten free options as the granola is gluten free. We also offer several milk options such as almond, coconut, oat milk, and soy.”
State Trooper Approved
Playa Bowls is a must try for everyone!
Officer Micah Spessato and Officer Dana Orndoff stopped in for their lunch break to check out the new place. Both gentlemen ordered hot oatmeal bowls, which is a base of steel cut oatmeal topped with whatever goodies you could imagine! Officer Spessato told me, “It was delicious and we’ll definitely be back.”
Employee Favorites
Ask an employee for their recommendations or have them lead you through making your own bowl.
Owner Tony always goes for the healthy blend green bowls. I had the opportunity to try a green smoothie and the only way to describe it was “the freshest thing I’ve ever drank.” Mackenzie’s go-to is the Stupid Cupid, a base of banana, strawberry, spirulina, vanilla protein powder, flax oil, peanute butter, and cashew milk- with some toppings of granola, banana, chia seeds, with added peanut butter and bananas. Kelly also chooses the Stupid Cupid but likes to use a base of half green with peanut butter and strawberries. And not to be forgotten Rashaun goes for the acai bowl with strawberries, blueberries, topped with coconut flakes.
Community Supporters
An extensive menu allows everyone to find something to fit their taste.
Giuilani is extremely happy to be offering a new healthier lifestyle of option to the Ocean City Community. It’s a great way to give options to people in the area that may not have been able to find it otherwise.
Giuilini also plans to help support local schools with Dine and Donate evenings where a percentage is earned back to the schools.
Playa Bowls has it’s own app to download where you can order online and earn points towards future purchases for being a loyal customer. Playa Bowls is also on Door Dash and Grub Hub for order as well.
Flavorful Art to Match the Taste
Artwork by @rockmyroom and @rockcandypaintcrew
When you walk in it’s hard not to notice the eye popping art work along the walls of Playa Bowl. With neon colors and nautical twists, the décor really makes you feel like you’re at the beach. The large shark jaw with the ship inside the mouth really caught my eye! The details of the teeth were mesmerizing! Then moving down the wall to the pineapple skull really had me. I had to do some digging. The walls were designed and painted by a team of artists lead by Ramona Schatzer who also happens to co-owner of Playa Bowls in Penn State! This traveling team has created murals all along the New York, New Jersey, and now Maryland areas! You need to check out some of their other walls on their Instagram @rockmyroom and @rockcandypaintcrew.
Welcome to Pineapple Town!
Now that you know how to order a playa bowl, head on over to Playa Bowls Ocean City just a few shorts miles outside the route 50 bridge. It’s located in the shopping center along with Walmart and Home Depot. They are opened from 8am-9pm daily and plan to stay open in the off season as well. Thank you Tony for helping me find the perfect Playa Bowl and green smoothie. I will forever be a fan!
Thank you for all the wonderful photos you shared with us this week for our final Photo Friday Contest of the summer. We received pictures of fun on the Boardwalk, time spent eating ie cream, drinking lemonade, winning prizes, jumping the waves, fishing, having fun with family and friends, and the always beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We love receiving photos taken during your vacation here in Ocean City Md, memories made and memories kept forever in your hearts and in a digital format! We have, as always, put together a selection of your pictures sent to us this week, so if one of them is yours, here’s another keepsake for you! This week’s randomly selected winner of two FREE tickets to Jolly Roger Amusement Parks is Chad Swartwout Jr. for this great picture of three young visitors to Ocean City, enjoying an evening on the Boardwalk. Even if it’s a little chilly, they were still lucky enough to spend an evening on the Boardwalk all together! Congratulations Chad!
Chad Swartwout Jr. – A chilly night on the boardwalk!
Misty Hanna – My granddaughters love OC….
Stacy Malinowski – Bought a boat last week and going out for our first sunset on the water!
Lauren Briggs Ebersberger – Waking up early to “catch” the sunrise
Jennifer Lea Swartwout – The public fishing pier is one of our favorite pass times the view of ocean city, watching boats, jet skis and looking for crabs.
Evelyn Lamplugh – Morning fishing at the White Marlin Marina !
Steph Fonz – Moon Rising in dark OC sky
Renae Lyons – My grandson enjoying his ice cream after a long day on the beach!
BEACH BABY Ocean City MD – Beach Babies! Sibling bonds and family memories are made perfect in Ocean City Md!!
Alyse Nicole – A beautiful night at 131st
Jennifer Lynn – Introduced friends to the magic of Dumser’s!
Carolyn Heiserman – My grandsons love arcades and saved their tickets all week to purchase this toy. Oh the joy.
Allison Harding – My kids enjoying the beach off the boardwalk at night!
Liz Brown – Assateague island
Nancy O’Donnell Webb – My 3 daughters at 108th St
Kim Martin-Peletsky – My son and niece enjoying their last day at the beach.
Rick N Alisha Hoke – My daughter, niece and nephew having a blast in OC, MD between 3rd and 4th Street.
Shannon Roof – My daughter and her friends Strolling the boardwalk.
Keri Merlino Meyer – Beautiful 9pm sky over the bay on Rt90.
Kim Martin-Peletsky – My son and niece enjoying their last day at the beach.
Tara Benicewicz – Early morning on the boards…
Victoria Sadler – my nephew trying out Trimpers mirrors
Emily Pridgen – My son winning as many prizes as he can carry lol
Karen Beardsley – My granddaughter living her best life
Jessica Nusbaum – Me and my mom during our girls trip last week!
Keri Merlino Meyer – Last night on 49th street.
Ben Semiatin – Good day fishing
Jennifer Elliott – Who in there 40’s or 50’s don’t have memories with the blue raft!? My sister and I re-enacted swimming in the bay for our Pop.
Gabrielle Berri – It was pouring outside and we stopped to get some thrashers, chicken tenders and a giant lemonade on the boardwalk and someone was sleepy
Haley Tutwiler – Sunset at Northside park
Brittney May – Our kids favorite place OCMD
Cathy Rommel – Building castles in the sand. My granddaughters love the beach.
Jaclyn Unger – We love Ocean City. So many new things to see each visit, like this big guy!!
Kristy Wolf – Sisters. Taken July 9th 2023
Lisa Dillon – We always visit Rope Walk on Vacation!
Karen Lee – Loved visiting Ocean City in June
Kourtney Graziani – Love visiting every summer with my boys!
Renee Calhoun Kiesel – Beautiful Sunrise, perfect time to just stop and enjoy life
Chad Swartwout Jr. – Breakfast at Laytons enjoying the cars during cruisin weekend this past May!
Amanda Creasy – Family Vacation 2023
Lisa Folmer – Sweet pony moment
Deb Thoman – Brody really likes to come to Ocean City to enjoy the beach but he really wants to go to jolly Rogers next time. He is from Pa. & is 9 years old.
Susan Borelli – FUN AT OCMD 2023
Kathy Hummer – Down at the inlet. Such a peaceful place
Katie Dawson – 1st time Parasailing for our son! OC parasailing
Katie Dawson – 1st time Parasailing for our son! OC parasailing
Chris Watson – Almost there buddy!!
Ellen Walsh – Sunday night fireworks at Northside park.
Tammy Ann – Enjoying the fireworks
Rob Honadel – Sunset at Seacrets. Perfect way to end the day.
OCEAN CITY, MD (August 23, 2023): The Oceans Calling Festival is a little over a month away. It is anticipated that this will be one of the busiest events the Town of Ocean City has hosted. In anticipation of the number of bus riders and possible traffic delays, the Ocean City Beach Bus will be operating in a REDUCED-STOP, EXPRESS SERVICE mode.
The reduced-stop, express mode will be in effect Friday, September 29th, Saturday, September 30th, and Sunday, October 1st. The Beach Bus will still operate its normal hours each day which is from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. The reduced-stop, express mode will be put in place to expedite crowd movement along with providing more frequent service throughout the festival.
The Beach Bus normally has over 60 stops in each direction along Coastal Highway. During the festival weekend, the stops will be reduced to about 20 stops each way in hopes that it helps the buses flow back and forth a little more quickly. Certain stops will be inactive during the three-day weekend. The affected stops will be marked with signs directing passengers to the nearest available active stop.
If you need special mobility assistance, you may coordinate pick-ups by calling Transportation Dispatch at 410-723-1606 and you may coordinate drop-offs directly with the bus driver.
If you plan to take the Beach Bus during the weekend, remember to have exact cash or your pre-paid photo ID General Bus Pass which can be obtained from City Hall.
Standard Fare: $4 Ride-All-Day.
Half Fare ($2.00 Ride-All-Day): Senior Citizens age 65 and over, Disabled Persons, Medicare card holders, and Ocean City Non-Resident Senior Bus Pass holders.
Free: Children 42 inches in height and under, ADA Certified Disabled card holders, and Ocean City Resident Senior Bus Pass holders. Proof of eligibility may be required.
In addition, buses from an outside provider will be running the service from the West Ocean City Park and Ride. Tickets for the Park and Ride service may be purchased from OC Transportation Staff at the ticket booth at the OC Bus Terminal buildings. Tickets are required to be presented upon boarding.
