With summer just around the corner, all property owners interested in selling or renting their real estate property should be preparing for the season. A little preparation goes a long way toward contributing to successful transactions.
With the trees in bloom and the weather warming up, potential buyers and renters alike are venturing out in search of their ideal property.
I would recommend the following steps to preparing for a great season:
Look at your property with an objective eye as though you were seeing it for the first time.
Think of the little things that slightly annoy you – they will be magnified many times by others.
Your bed frame should not show unless you have a finished wood frame.
Replace old, flat pillows. Renters will appreciate it, and flat pillows do not show well to buyers.
Replace old torn or stained bedspreads.
Check air conditioning vents and fan blades for dust that accumulates over the winter.
Take new, fresh photos of any changes.
Small items that are not required, but inexpensive and add warmth would be:
Area rugs or runners.
Decorative door mat.
Decorative towels.
Some battery-powered candles.
Decorative throw pillows.
Remove any clutter and keep countertops as clear as possible.
Artificial, as well as natural lighting, helps to make the property look bigger and brighter.
If you own a townhome or single family home and have a yard, first impressions are so important. It would serve you well to plant some flowering shrubs or bushes.
You may want to speak to your local REALTOR for any suggestions they may make, since they are familiar with your specific home or investment property.
It is advantageous to be competitive with other properties for sale, https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/why-you-should-sell-your-home-in-2018. This is even more important for rental properties, considering the number of available of units for rent. Improvements help you to stay competitive at the least, and may give your particular real estate the advantage you may need.
In 1965, construction was completed on Ocean Playland Amusement Park on 65th street bayside, on a large peninsula-type lot that protruded out into the bay at a price tag of over $2 million. The park was only 860 feet long and 375 feet wide and sat behind a 1000-car parking lot off of Coastal Highway. The park, which officially opened for its first day of business on June 18, 1965, was developed by realtor Jim Caine, Oscar Carey, and George Chandler and was built to offer amusements to those staying in uptown Ocean City. The park became an immediate success in north Ocean City, which at the time was extremely underdeveloped and sparse.
Unlike many of its competitors, Playland offered a plethora of unique attractions including a complete monorail, a full wooden coaster called the Hurricane, a miniature golf course, and over 25 amusement attractions of all types and for all ages. The most significant attraction in Ocean Playland, as far as dark rides were concerned, was Ghost Ship, built by Bill Tracy from Universal Design Limited. Although the park closed in 1981, this attraction, unlike the others, would live on in Ocean City for decades to come thanks to a high bid and a vision from Granville Trimper. Granville was able to purchase the ride’s contents, including the cars and track, for a later expansion of The Haunted House at Trimper’s Rides and Amusements on the boardwalk.
Quickfacts
Ocean Playland operated as a concessionaire park—businessmen and women would come from all over to set up their equipment and pay a percentage of their earnings to the park as a concession.
Ocean Playland, as the park was originally named, was later re-branded as simply “Playland.”
The large pirate that stood at Ocean Playland’s entrance was built by the International Fiberglass Company and is similar to the one at the entrance of Jolly Roger Amusement Park. Originally, the figure was painted to resemble a pirate, but in later years, it was changed to resemble a clown thanks to some new paint and a hat.
Ocean Playland offered free admission and a pay-one-price riding system.
October 8, 1965 (George H. Cook, The Sunpaper)The Monster Mouse roller coaster overlooks the bay.Ocean Playland at night looking toward the park’s one and only wooden coaster, The Hurricane.Looking east from atop the park’s Alpine Sky Ride.A nice shot of the park’s iconic Satellite Monorail.Rare view of the park during construction.Park entranceSatellite Monorail and Juggling Clown at the park’s entranceMid 1960sEarly 1970s1979Advertisement from the late 1970s.Excerpt – (National Amusement Park Historical Association publication – Vol. 24, number 6, 2002)Excerpt – (National Amusement Park Historical Association publication – Vol. 24, number 6, 2002)An advertisement from The Resorter showing a view of Ocean Playland. Tracy’s Ghost Ship façade can be seen in the left of this photo.Found on the back of a 1966 real estate booklet.An ad from the Salisbury Times from June of 1966.An ad from an Ocean City visitors guide from 1969.Seems like quite a deal for an afternoon of fun, even for the summer of 1975!Article from Salisbury Times from April 15, 1964 when a permit for one of the park’s imagined locations was being sought.The true story of how Ocean Playland came to be, including a list of the park’s rides which mentions a “(Tracy) Dark Ride.”After Playland closed in 1981, O.C. purchased the land to use for city government facilities. (1982)Check out this great article from the July 21, 1978 issue of Oceana Magazine. The article outlines the management strategies of the park and features park manager Jack Morningstar, who was the boss of over 100 employees during the summer and managed the park’s major attractions, including Ghost Ship, which was later acquired by Granville Trimper for the Haunted House expansion at Trimper’s Rides and Amusements on the boardwalk.A rare full-page ad from the August 4, 1978 issue of Oceana Magazine.An ad from an Ocean City guide book from 1977. Ghost Ship can clearly be seen in the aerial image of the park.Vintage bumper sticker promoting the park.Vintage employee name tag. (Courtesy of Blake Blaze)Vintage employee clothing. (Courtesy of Blake Blaze)Bill Tracy’s Ghost Ship dark ride. Date unknown.Aerial view of the property and surrounding blocks in the 1980s after the park closed. Although Ocean City Public Works has moved on the the property by this time, the original roller coaster and a few buildings remain. The land shown immediately to the north (right) of the property is known today as Sunset Island.Feeling nostalgic? Take a road trip to see the original Clown that stood atop the Ocean Playland entrance. He lives on at Magic Forest Family Fun Park in Lake George, NY. (usagiants.com)The Slide & Ride sign on 65th street right before it was destroyed in 2009, which previously served as the main road sign for Playland. The original Playland sign had round cutouts with letters that spelled out “Playland” where the Slide & Ride banner was.
Do you remember Bill Tracy’s Ghost Ship dark ride at Ocean Playland? Read about it!
All historical photos are property of their respective owners and are being featured for viewing purposes only. Special thanks to OC historian Karl Schwarz and the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum for historical knowledge and content contributions.
Our Best of Ocean City® 2018 voting is well underway. In fact, the polls will close on Memorial Day, which only gives us a little over a month to hit the polls (which really just means visiting this page and clicking a few buttons).
Some categories are more popular than others, and always have been since this contest’s birth in 2011. Best Bar Overall, understandably, has a couple hundred more votes than most other categories — and if you were wondering, Fish Tales is currently in the lead on that poll, with Seacrets close behind.
Other super popular categories include Best Waterfront Dining (where Sunset Grille takes the lead), Best Crabcakes (currently going to Crabcake Factory), Best Sports Bar (Pickles Pub), Best Ice Cream (Dumser’s) and Best Pizza (“other,” followed by Lombardi’s). Pizza, ice cream and drinks — vacationers and locals alike have strong opinions about those things. Understandably so. We all love a greasy slice of pizza with a cold, reasonably-priced beer, and soft-serve topped with sprinkles for dessert.
Best Of Navigation Cast Your Votes for The Best of Ocean City® 2018! Last year’s polls saw nearly 60,000 votes cast, and this year is expected to yield an even bigger turnout! Voting for the Best of Ocean City runs from Memorial Day to Memorial Day each year.
But, as we expected, there are a number of categories that could use some love. Surely there are fewer fishermen and jet skiers than there are lovers of pizza and bayside sunset views, but we do know that there are avid anglers and watersport adventurers out there with recommendations to make. So whether someone is into pizza or parasailing, or both, we want them to know exactly where to go, based on the opinions of thousands of Ocean City lovers.
The Best of Ocean City® awards is the longest-running competition of its kind, and ALL Ocean City businesses are eligible to win. Each summer, winners are included in The Best of Ocean City® pocket guide and given a winner’s certificate and window decals to display in their business. Plus, we write about them extensively online here and on our social media, so you’ll always know the people’s picks of the year.
Definitely vote in the popular categories, but vote for the lesser-knowns too. Here are a few polls that could use more votes. You can go to our Best of Ocean City page (see the link above), or you can just stay on this page and peruse some of the brackets.
Best Parasailing
With the wind in your hair and the dolphins jumping below, there’s nothing quite like parasailing over the Atlantic Ocean.
Best Jet Skiing
This one is ALWAYS a close race. Odyssea is in the lead now, but looking at the current numbers, Best Jet Skiing in Ocean City could go to anyone.
Best Kayak Rental/Experience
Where’s the best place to go for a peaceful afternoon in a kayak?
Best Mini Golf
With so many themed mini golf courses in Ocean City, this one can be hard to choose. But think — which course is the absolute coolest?
Best Surf Shop
Whether you’re actually a surfer or you just like to look like one, you’ve got to have a favorite Ocean City surf shop.
Best Rainy Day Activity
It’s always a bummer when your vacation gets rained out, but luckily there are plenty of fun indoor things to do in this town.
Best Asian Food
Ocean City hasn’t always been known for its Asian cuisine, but more and more restaurants like the ones below have been popping up in recent years.
Best Brewery
Delmarva is a craft beer destination! What’s the best brewery in or near OC?
Best Craft Beer Selection
Whether you’re drinking at the brewery or just picking up a six-pack, it’s all about keepin’ it local.
As I’ve said before, I’m getting married — almost exactly a year from today, in fact — when I myself have never been to a wedding before. So the planning process is especially intimidating; until now, I’ve had absolutely no idea where to begin. Should we make a guest list first? When do we need to decide on our venue? Are artisanal cupcakes always this expensive?
Help!
I’m sure the overwhelming prospect of planning such a huge event isn’t exclusive to me, and even seasoned wedding crashers start to stress out the first day post-engagement. Whether you’re inviting 500 guests or limiting attendance to immediate family only, the pressure is on. Tradition holds that this is supposed to be the most special day of your life, or whatever, second only to childbirth and maybe your Disney World honeymoon. If you and your guests don’t have the absolute time of your lives, you failed! Obviously that’s not true, but it can feel that way sometimes. Especially if you can’t afford a wedding planner — guess what? You’re a wedding planner now.
I’m lucky enough to live in a beach town where couples come from all over the East Coast to marry. There’s lots of wedding services in this region, which is certainly a positive thing, but it also adds another element of doubt: how do I know I’m getting the best services for my vision and for my budget?
That’s where the expos, conventions and bridal shows come in. In January, when I was freshly engaged, I started doing a little research and found that there was an annual bridal show in Ocean City. I immediately ordered my tickets, which totally wasn’t necessary because they were for sale at the door day-of, but I was just so excited that my prayers had been kind of answered; some of the peninsula’s top wedding services and vendors would be gathered in one place, and I’d get to interact with them face-to-face instead of staring at a screen or leafing through a brochure.
That brings me to what I’ve discovered to be the ideal first step in the wedding planning process:
Take advantage of the expos!
Because unless you work in the business yourself, you probably won’t immediately know exactly which florist, caterer and hairdresser is going to suit your specific needs. Besides getting advice from trusted and experienced friends and family, the bridal show/wedding expo/’bout-to-be-married convention/whatever you want to call it is the best way to start making local contacts and getting ideas.
I attended the Ocean City Bridal Expo, hosted by Rox Weddings at Seacrets Jamaica USA, on April 8. My fiancé and I met up with my family there, and we spent hours at the different tables where we talked to vendors, sampled finger foods and collected business cards. There was a fashion show that featured suits for the grooms and groomsmen and dresses for the brides, bridesmaids and mothers-of-the-bride. The vendors raffled off prizes, and I won a five-piece luggage set courtesy of Bethany Travel (although I promise I would have written this raving review of the bridal show even if I hadn’t won anything).
Even if you’re not sold on any of the particular services offered at whichever bridal show you attend, you’ll certainly leave with a clearer vision of how you want your wedding to be. So before you pick a date, check when the next wedding expo is coming to Ocean City, or wherever it is you’re getting married (although I, of course, highly recommend OC).
After that, download The Knot. It’s an app, and it’s not related to expos or conventions per se, but it has been extremely helpful to me in organizing a checklist/timeline of all the things I need to do, by when. Then after that, ask any recently-married friends and family members which vendors they’d recommend, in addition to how they stayed sane through it all. Then finally, when the day comes, hit the bridal show, sip a cocktail or two and collect oodles of information that’ll help you further down the line.
MDOT SHA TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE US 50 HARRY W. KELLEY MEMORIAL BRIDGE IN OCEAN CITY
US 50 Bridge to be Closed 10 P.M. Friday Night; Traffic Detoured to MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway)
(April 5, 2018) – On Friday evening, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will close the US 50 (Harry W. Kelley Memorial Drawbridge) over Sinpuxent Bay in Ocean City to conduct needed repairs to the structure. Work will begin at 10 p.m. and proceed until repairs are complete at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday. The closure is necessary because the crews will need to raise the drawbridge to conduct the work to make the repair.
Motorists will be detoured to MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway) during the repairs. During a routine evaluation to the bridge, MDOT SHA crews discovered a small crack in a single steel beam. While the bridge is safe and operable, the repair is necessary to ensure reliability before the spring and summer season. Marine traffic will have full use of the channel during the work.
Approximately 33,000 vehicles use this bridge each and that number increases significantly during spring and summer months. Motorists should allow extra time to reach Downtown Ocean City via MD 90.
MDOT SHA’s contractor, Covington Machine and Welding, Inc. of Annapolis, will evaluate the other beams while the bridge is in the up position. Subsequent repairs and temporary closures may be necessary next week.
While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA’s electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto www.md511.org. This gentleman is a fisherman on the bridge one week every year.
Since Ocean City is becoming more of a year-round destination with each passing season, West OC has especially been expanding by leaps and bounds. There’s more open here in the “off” months to keep visitors and locals busy, but there are also pockets that provide a little calm away from the summertime business of downtown OC.
All of Ocean City prides itself on being a family-friendly resort, but the side of town west of the Route 50 bridge is especially conducive for good, clean family fun. Here are a few favorite things to do in West Ocean City that’ll guarantee the whole family a great time, whether you’re booking a hotel in West OC or just exploring for a few hours.
1. Hit up all the amusements
Thrill-seekers are known to frequent West Ocean City for its array of fun, family-friendly amusements. Baja Amusements set up shop in West O more than three decades ago, and they’ve been expanding ever since to provide entertainment to kids and kids-at-heart away from the hustle and bustle of Coastal Highway.
There are eight go kart tracks and two climbing walls, plus kiddie rides, bumper boats, an arcade, mini golf and more, all accessible without having to sit in bridge traffic if you’re staying at a West Ocean City hotel.
Take the little ones to the Wacky Worm roller coaster, let the tweens hang out at the snack bar and the speedsters race go karts, and everyone else can enjoy a peaceful game of mini golf. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer day, at least until dinnertime rolls around. Even then you can stay on the west side and…
2. Get your seafood fill
Some of the best seafood in Ocean City can be found in West OC. It’s where the commercial fishing harbor is, after all. You don’t get much fresher than that.
One restaurant in West O that’s especially worth a trip is The Shrimp Boat off Stephen Decatur Highway. At the Shrimp Boat, an OC tradition for almost 30 years, you can try before you buy, sit outside or inside the “boat,” enjoy a local craft brew and get whatever ocean fare your heart desires, from crab platters to fish entrees to lobster rolls. Seriously.
Hooper’s Crab House is a good on-the-water option for families; diners under 10 can enjoy kid-friendly seafood like rockfish fingers, fried shrimp and and fish tacos, while parents can enjoy a cold beer from Fin City Brewing Co., Ocean City’s oldest brewery that calls Hooper’s their home.
If your family doesn’t favor seafood, there are tons of other restaurants and familiar chains that have amassed in West Ocean City. But if it is seafood you’re looking for — the west side of the bridge is still the place to go.
3. Visit “Stinky Beach” (also known as Homer Gudelsky Park)
Stinky Beach was hidden when “Shanty Town” was developed in the ’70s, and only recently has the beach come back into the public eye. Photo by Denise Metzger.
If you’re scratching your head at this one, don’t worry — you’re not the only one. While Stinky Beach was once more of a locals’ secret, it’s starting to see more foot traffic with each summer that goes by, and that’s why I’m officially letting the cat out of the bag and telling you that Stinky Beach is a very cool spot in West O to visit.
Formally known as Homer Gudelsky Park, this beach by the bridge is pet-friendly and a perfect place to cast a line, take a stroll or watch the boats sail in and out of the Inlet. Ocean City lore says that the area used to be a dumping ground for the town, and the west wind would bring bugs and the smell of garbage to the beach. The water is shallow, and the wind also spreads the smell of the canal, hence the name “Stinky Beach.” If you have no idea what or where this place is, here’s a map for reference:
4. Stay at a hotel the kids will love
The Comfort Suites in the heart of West Ocean City is one of those hotels. In fact, while driving down Route 50, your kids have probably already pointed out the hotel’s big front yard pool with the prop palm trees, waterslide and buckets waiting to pour water over an unsuspecting person’s head. What they haven’t seen yet is the indoor game room. And just down the street is a favorite of the younger kids, the Francis Scott Key Family Resort, equipped with outdoor and indoor themed pools, playgrounds and mini golf.
Lodging in West O is always a great option for families who want to distance themselves from the rowdier nighttime Boardwalk crowds but remain close to the action, particularly Assateague Island, Frontier Town, and all the restaurants and entertainment listed here. Downtown is just a trip across the bridge away.
Over the last few weeks we’ve been working on a video feature called “Ocean City Stories” wherein contributor BL and I knock around Ocean City with a camera and a video camera and talk to people. You can see the completed work on our YouTube page.
5. Walk across the bridge to even more fun
It’s normally not a good idea to walk across a bridge known for its heavy summertime traffic. Luckily, the Route 50 bridge to downtown Ocean City has a pedestrian walkway that makes it totally safe for families to stroll. When the winds and the tides are in perfect harmony, you can look straight into the ocean and get a crystal-clear view of the sea life within it. Just don’t get so distracted by the beauty that you knock into a fisherman or cyclist passing by.
A major benefit of the West Ocean City region in general is the Park and Ride, where you can park your car for free and walk or take the shuttle bus into town. Here’s one idea for families staying in West O who want to spend an evening on the east side: establish a home (well, car) base at the Park and Ride, take a walk across the bridge and pay a visit to The Angler on the other side. Enjoy a good dinner, then embark on a sunset cruise on the restaurant’s boat (also called The Angler). Allow your meal to digest, then walk home and enjoy a restful night away from the noise and nightlife of downtown OC.
Take Pride in Berlin Week 2018 takes place April 21 – 28 and will kick off with Berlin Clean-Up Day on the 21st.
For over a decade, volunteers have dedicated several hours of a Saturday in April to give Berlin’s parks and neighborhoods a spring cleaning. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to earn service hours, and groups and teams will be needed to help with planting, weeding, raking, mulching and whatever else needs attention in the community.
The main cleanup areas are Stephen Decatur Park on Tripoli St., Henry Park on Flower St. and Berlin Falls Park on Old Ocean City Blvd. Cleanup of Hudson Branch will also be needed, although that area will not be for children. Volunteers can sign up at any of the parks at 8:30 a.m. the day of cleanup, and Hudson Branch sign-up will be at Henry Park. Some supplies will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own if possible; rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows are always needed. Heavy clothes and boots are recommended.
Trash pickup will be available; items for pickup will need to be placed in one location at the clean-up area. The Town must be contacted so that crews are aware of the need. To register a location or to notify the Town of a pickup location, email Mary Bohlen at mbohlen@berlinmd.gov or call 410-641-4314. Lunch on Clean-Up Day will be provided by SonRise Church.
That Saturday, there will also be a celebration of the Berlin Seahawks, the 2017 National Champion Pop Warner Football Team. Join the coaches, the players and their families at Henry Park, and enjoy the music provided by Power 101.7.
Get Berlin nominated for the Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign! If the Town gets the most nominations, one of its parks will receive a $20,000 grant for improvements.
Those who nominate Berlin will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a GoPro Prize Pack. The town with the most nominations at the end of April will receive the funding.
There are so may places to get snacks in Ocean City. Seriously — so many, and the new restaurants and cafes that pop up every summer make it even more difficult to choose just one. Luckily, we’ve compiled plenty of lists over the years that detail the top places to get your grub, from bar wings to sushi. And this is just the tip of the iceburg.
We know you’ve got your opinions about Ocean City snack traditions, like caramel corn and ice cream, which is why we won’t even touch on those here — we’ll leave that to you. Speak your piece on Ocean City snacks, and other foods and fun activities, by voting in our 2018 Best of Ocean City polls. You’ll find the 2017 winners here.
Only a few restaurants in Ocean City have perfected the art of the sweet potato fry. The following restaurants have perfected their recipes over time and now make a killer side dish that put run-of-the-mill French fries to shame. Try ’em for yourself and let us know who makes the best sweet potato fry in Ocean City.
It’s not really fair to rank the Boardwalk fries of Ocean City since Thrasher’s has been the go-to spot for decades, and sweet potato lovers are serious about their fries. Whether you like ’em with ketchup or brown sugar, there are a number of restaurants in OC that have really perfected the art of the sweet shoestring potato.
I’m a fan of the greasy spoon diner. The kind that serves mediocre coffee but amazing food that’s the hallmark of the American experience: Cheesy eggs! Pancakes as large as your face! Golden chicken and waffles! In Ocean City, there’s no shortage of diners with vinyl seats and where you can order late breakfast without shame.
Sometimes you just need a burger. And when you’re on vacation, the last thing you want is food from a fast food chain. That’s why you gotta try the local diners — some of them are easier to find than others, but hopefully our guide to the top five diners in Ocean City will help you out.
A gentle reminder that the Outsider is beholden to no one, least of all us – ed. Whenever I think about about Ocean City Md, my thoughts immediately go to fresh seafood.
When you’re in a town with a lot of bars, you’re automatically in a town with a lot of chicken wings, too. Let the Outsider tell you what his five favorite wing joints are, and what it is that makes them so special.
I dream of sushi constantly, and Ocean City has a healthy scene for it, considering we’re in one of the seafood capitals of the east coast! In fact, the rice and raw fish business is thriving on the island, as a new sushi joint opened its doors this summer.
Ocean City han’t always been known for being a sushi hub, but that’s changed a lot in the last five years. Now there’s even enough sushi restaurants for a top five list! When you’re looking for a light beach snack and need a break from all the greasy Boardwalk fare, sushi is the way to go.
It’s hard to go wrong with pizza
We’re going to leave the controversial “best pizza” discussion alone, but here are the current favorites as defined by our readers in the Best of Ocean City.
Where to get the best pizza is always a very personal food for people. Those who have a taste for it tend to like specific places for specific reasons. So far in this year’s voting, it’s actually pretty close among the top five but sixth place is pretty distant.
(But seriously, do your fellow Ocean City lovers and snack lovers a favor by voting for the Best of Ocean City.)
OC Foodie Tours are coming to Ocean City this summer, to be exact. Foodie Tour founder Sandy Gillis says that she’s been wondering for ages why there aren’t any food tours in Ocean City. When she was recently snowed in for three days, she drew up the plans for one of her own.
The tour is designed to give guests a taste of Ocean City, both in OC’s midtown region from 28th to 37th street and the downtown/Boardwalk area, the two regions where the tours will be provided.
A culinary craft experience
When she and her husband go on vacation, Gillis said, they seek out foodie tours. Through the tours, they’ve been able to learn about the places they visit and explore the local cuisine while immediately burning off the calories in places like Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, Las Vegas and even Prague in the Czech Republic.
“You get a backstage view of the restaurants, little secrets, sometimes little dives, hole-in-the-wall places you would never go in,” she said. “You learn about the area and the heritage of the family and the recipes, and how they got started. And then after that, another day, we’ll go back and revisit the restaurants and try them again.”
When on the Foodie Tour, patrons will not only get to sample the fare of local restaurants — Higgins Crab House and the Dunes Manor’s Victorian Room midtown and The Angler and M.R. Ducks downtown are just a few examples of local restaurants included on the tour — they’ll also get to learn about the history of Ocean City.
Topics covered on the tour will include how OC became the white marlin capital of the world, the history of the railroad that once brought tourists to and from the peninsula and the history of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
“Most people don’t know that teenagers ran the Beach Patrol for four years, four entire summers during the war,” Gillis said. “So little things like that — we had no drowning during those four years, but we had lots of dirty laundry on the beach.”
The OC Foodie Tour will kick off with “The Big Get-Together,” an event hosted by the Art League and Shore Craft Beer at the Center for the Arts, where foodies can come together and enjoy hand-crafted art, beer, food and friends. The event will feature three breweries, six restaurants, artisans and live music by Full Circle Duo.
The tours will officially start on May 15, and will operate for six months out of every year.
Often referred to as the heart and hub of town, Ocean City’s “South End” at the Inlet has been hosting families and making memories for well over a century. It’s gone through many major changes through the years but it’s proven to never disappoint those who venture down to take in the exciting lights, memorable sounds and nostalgic smells of the most southern few blocks of town.
Enjoy a virtual journey back through the decades of Ocean City’s famous boardwalk at the South End.
1920s
Early 1920s, prior to when the pier building burned down in December, 1925.
1930s
The day after the storm of 1933. Jester’s Funhouse and the old Capitol Theatre can be clearly seen here.Late 1930s
1940s
1940s, shortly after Trimper’s Inlet Lodge was built.
1950s
1950s in front of Marty’s Playland.1950s – A view of the boardwalk buildings that now house Inlet Gifts, Trimper’s Haunted House, and several games.1950s – Rare view of the lot that now houses Trimper’s Rides. Back then, many small buildings stood on the property behind Trimper’s Merry-Go-Round building.July 1958 – Looking east from the Oceanic Motel. Granville Trimper’s Eli Ferris Wheel can be seen in the distance.
1960s
1964October 1965 (Baltimore Sun Archives)1960s1960s – Marty’s Playland1960s – Marty’s PlaylandLate 1960s1962 – Flooding on the boardwalk from the Storm of 1962.Mid 1960s (Baltimore Sun Archives)19651965April 1967 – The second story apartments are being constructed on the boardwalk front.July 1967March 1968March 1968
1970s
1970s1970s – Marty’s PlaylandMid 1970s1976Late 1970sDecember 1978 – Finishing touches are being put on the newly-relocated Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the inlet. The building was dedicated on Christmas Day of 1978. (Baltimore Sun Archives)
1980s
1980sEarly 1980s1985Mid 1980s – Water Flume and YoYo1983 – Inlet LodgeMid 1980sLate 1980s
Ocean City, Maryland – (March 28, 2018): “Pay & Display” systems are a thing of the past, at least in Ocean City. New parking kiosks are replacing the old all over town on sidewalks and in municipal parking lots, and a “Pay by Plate” system is replacing “Pay & Display.”
Because these new kiosks are “Pay by Plate,” patrons must enter their license plate numbers before paying for their time. Users will be guided step-by-step through their parking transactions on the full-color display screens of the new solar powered kiosks. There is no longer a need to place a receipt on the dashboard, and time can be extended at the kiosk with your plate number.
The pay-by-cell parking system remains in place, and patrons will still be able to pay for their parking by using the Parkmobile mobile parking app. You can extend your time directly through the app, which will also send text reminders when your parking time is about to expire. The Parkmobile app is available for download on the App store for the iPhone, the Google Play Store for Android devices, and the Microsoft store for Windows phones.
The Town is also making improvements to parking at the Inlet Parking Lot by implementing a “gateless” system. Parkers will no longer have to get a ticket at the entrance and pay an attendant at the exit. Now parkers can enter the parking lot, park their vehicle, pay at a Pay by Plate kiosk or through the Parkmobile app, and go enjoy themselves. The Town expects this system to have a significant reduction on wait times at the exit to the lot.
“With our paid parking season beginning on April 1, we are excited to offer a new parking system that will add convenience for our visitors, as well as a system that should help us better manage parking occupancy,” says Jessica Waters, Communications Manager for the Town of Ocean City. “Our goal is to ensure compliance with the parking regulations while providing our residents and visitors an enjoyable time in Ocean City.”
The new parking system is being provided by Parkeon, Inc., based out of Moorestown, NJ. Parkeon is the leading provider of parking kiosks around the globe, and has deployed similar parking systems in cities across the United States and locally in towns like Salisbury, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Washington DC.
There’s a book called “Grand Forks: A History of American Dining in 128 Reviews” by Marilyn Hagerty. The book is a collection of restaurant reviews by the author, who writes a column called The Eatbeat for the Grand Forks Herald of Grand Forks, North Dakota. I picked up the book, published in 2013, after coming across Hagerty’s famous Olive Garden review somewhere on the internet. I was intrigued. Since the 1980s, Hagerty has been reviewing — or, not so much reviewing as visiting and writing mostly-nice things about — all the restaurants of Grand Forks, from local diners to the new Taco Bell (“a cool pastel oasis on a hot day,” she mused).
I myself have never been to Grand Forks, but after reading the 128 Eatbeat reviews, I feel that their dining scene parallels Ocean City’s in a lot of ways. Ordered chronologically, Hagerty’s columns start in the ’80s and revolve mostly around diners and mom n’ pop shops with names like Gramma Butterwicks and Norma’s House of Goodies. As you get further into the book and move into the 21st century, the columns are more and more peppered with reviews of chain restaurants like the Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday’s and Fuji Steakhouse. Ocean City’s restaurant history is similar; but, like Grand Forks, there are still plenty of local gems to be discovered.
Hagerty is reliable for providing an honest but kind-hearted look at all the eateries that Grand Forks has to offer. She doesn’t critique them so much as write what one might expect upon walking through a restaurant’s doors. And there are so many restaurants in Ocean City, from the soda fountain diners and upscale hotel buffets to the Taco Bells and Olive Gardens, we are in no short supply of eateries to muse on.
“Out to Lunch” is my new weekly but, realistically, sometimes probably bi-weekly column, where I will place reviews and general thoughts on the restaurants, coffee shops and breweries lining Coastal Highway and beyond. I will also be accepting guest contributions (as I do for almost all things related to OC), so if you’re itching to say something about whatever local joint you brunched at last, send it to me at kristin@oceancity.com. I’ll be happy to throw it in the column so long as it’s fair, polite and kindly worded (sorry Jay Rayners of the world, you’ll have to look elsewhere to publish your critiques).
I don’t like to cook and I love to go out to eat, which I do far more often than I should, especially after moving to this East Coast dining hub of a town. This is a character flaw that I’m excited to finally put to use.
Squarz Pizza Pub: Squarz is a newer restaurant in north Ocean City, which is why I’m not totally embarrassed by the fact that I only just learned of its existence a few months ago. I like to eat around and am not known for committing to one particular restaurant, even if it is for pizza, but Squarz has got me hooked. I might just become a regular.
Pushed back from the highway in the Montego Bay Shopping Center (“the one with Tequila Mockingbird,” I always tell people), Squarz is not super easy to find. You have to already know that it’s there, but they’ve still seen a steady customer base because word-of-mouth is definitely a thing when it comes to a solid pizza. They’re open Thursday – Sunday in the off-season.
“Hands down… Best pizza in Ocean City,” their website boasts, and while many restaurants might claim this title, this one is telling the truth. Ledo’s might be just down the street, but they no longer monopolize Ocean City’s square pizza scene — and Squarz’s pies feature a homemade sauce, a special secret cheese blend and a light, fluffy crust that is second to none. Thursday night is now pizza night in my household, because that’s when Squarz pizzas are half-off until summer hits.
The kitchen is only separated by a half-wall, and you can usually find owner Darren Palitti back there making the pizzas and the pasta-of-the-day himself. The bartenders are great and genuinely want to know what it is you like to drink so they can make their selection — of craft beer, in my case — even better. The atmosphere is nice and could only be made better with a little more art on the walls, but we’re told that’s coming soon.
With its open layout, BL and I also found Squarz to be a good place for hosting events — it’s where we held the Ocean City Film Festival’s closing reception/award ceremony. We ended up with way more guests than we anticipated, but the kitchen turned out pizzas like nobody’s business.
Bethany Beach Ocean Suites/99 Sea Level: If you’re up for the trek to Bethany Beach — which you should be, since Bethany is beautiful and fun and not too far from OC — 99 Sea Level in Bethany Beach Ocean Suites is worth a stop for lunch.
I spent most of the day Saturday in BBOS, the site of Shore Craft Beer‘s first Delaware beer festival. For the day, their ballroom was packed with Delaware breweries handing out tastes of their best brews, as well as music provided by Nashville musicians including Ocean City native Jimmy Charles, who had been in town for the Josh Turner concert.
It’s a nice atmosphere, even without all the beer and country songs, though those things definitely help. The hotel lobby features photos of Bethany Beach days of old, and a beautiful blown glass chandelier by Berlin artist Jeffrey Auxer. Head to the back and you’ll find yourself in 99 Sea Level, a high-end restaurant specializing in seafood and fresh, farm-to-table fare.
The chef is Danio Somoza, who’s been working at the restaurant since its opening three years ago and who has claimed the title of Culinary Coast’s Top Chef for two consecutive years. He says he most wants guests to come in and try something new.
What might be the best part of the restaurant is its outdoor seating, which puts you practically right on the Bethany Boardwalk. At the beer festival on Saturday, we were lucky enough that it was sunny and not freezing cold outside. It was another instance of not projecting just how many people would show up to the event, which is always a good problem to have, but the ballroom and lobby weren’t quite big enough to hold the hundreds of people who showed up for four hours of beer tasting. Everyone was able to filter in and outside and drink their beers out on the porch, peer out at the ocean and soak up the sun on the beautiful day.
Overall, a good place to drink a beer and fall asleep. And enjoy a cheese board from 99 Sea Level, as featured in this article’s header image.
Ocean City, Maryland – (March 26, 2018): Spring has sprung in Ocean City, and as the town gets ready for warmer weather and the bustling summer season, residents can once again take advantage of Ocean City’s Spring Clean Up! This annual occurrence allows residential property owners to do their spring-cleaning by offering free residential bulk pick-up on Saturday and Sunday, April 7-8.
Ocean City’s bulk pick-up service offers a convenient way for residents to get rid of large household items, such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, carpet, etc., which cannot normally be loaded into a standard refuse truck. Yard debris and shrubs are also permitted, however; the maximum diameter of tree limbs accepted is three inches. Further, this effort does NOT include the pick-up of full size trees or the pick-up of large demolition/remodeling projects.
To participate, residents can place items curbside (staff does not go on private property to remove items) on Friday, April 6 for Saturday April 7 pick-up from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 pick-up from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town is providing bulk pick-up free of charge during this period. At other times, cost for bulk pick-up is $20 per pick-up of one item, $30 for up to three items and $5 for each additional item. There will also be an amnesty program to collect fireworks, old ammunition and old weapons that residents may have in their household and need to be removed.
The Spring Clean-up service is provided for residents only, as commercial properties are not included in the Spring Cleanup effort. For more information, call the Town of Ocean City’s solid waste division at 410-524-0318.
Also, as part of the Spring Clean Up, Ocean City’s annual Community Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, April 7, from 7a.m. until noon at Northside Park. The yard sale will be held on the parking lot at Northside Park on 125th Street in front of the Community Center. Vendor spots will be available for Ocean City residents and property owners only. Space is limited, so please apply in advance. To register, stop by the Ocean City Department of Recreation and Parks Northside Park Community Center, 200 125th Street. For more information about the Community Yard Sale, call 410-250-0125.
Or, for an even more alliterative title, the Top 5 Businesses to Barhop while Boating on the Bay. In other words, these are five bayside bars in or adjacent to Ocean City that can be reached by boat and are guaranteed to provide you with a good drink and an even better view. If your favorite barhopping-by-boat stop wasn’t mentioned, be sure to let us know what makes it so great and we’ll give it an honorable mention!
This list isn’t numbered, but if it was, The Angler would probably weigh in at #1 for the best boating bar stop. There are tons of cool places to explore while out traversing the Atlantic, but the Angler is one that offers you the total out-on-the-boat-in-the-summer experience — even if you have to come by car.
If you do sail your way there, you can anchor at the marina, then hop out and hit the dock bar to enjoy drinks or anchor yourself at a table and order the catch-of-the-day. And if you come by car, you can always embark on one of their nature cruises, scenic cruises or deep-sea fishing adventures. So basically, even if you’re stuck with a four-door clunker like I am, you can at least pretend to be a skilled seaman of the Eastern Shore.
“There are a lot of boats and restaurants that are located on the bay, and many that you can get to by boat, but only one that will come and pick you up — and that’s here at Seacrets Jamaica USA,” says Seacrets Marketing Manager Jackie Miller in this video by Unscene Productions. One of the more popular, and sometimes pretty crowded, summer destinations, Seacrets offers a water taxi service that shuttles passengers from their boats straight to the restaurants’ bayside beach. Beat the parking lot crowd and sail your way to Seacrets.
When visiting almost any bayside bar, though, you really can’t go wrong with the view. Photo from Harpoon Hanna’s by Tony Russo.
While it’s just over the Maryland-Delaware line, getting to Harpoon Hanna’s from the more western side of Ocean City can take what feels like hours on a busy summer weekend. It’s almost not worth the clam strips and the gorgeous view off the Fenwick Island shore, except it is — especially when you can get there via the waterways instead of the highways. Dock at Hanna’s and you’re already just a stone’s throw away from their Tiki Bar, where you can sip on a fruity island drink and watch all the other boats go by just past your umbrella.
When inquiring what bayside restaurants are the best bayside restaurants in Ocean City, Macky’s always comes up high on the list. During the summer season you’re welcome to sail your way to the restaurant at night and enjoy the bar, the entertainment and the general nightlife, but it’s also a great place to bring the family for a meal, too. Take the kids out on the boat, get some crabcakes and chicken strips in the restaurant, and then if you’re feeling adventurous, walk just a few feet east to Odyssea Watersports and partake in a spontaneous jet ski ride. That’s dinner and entertainment. Just give yourself plenty of time to digest first, and maybe don’t jet ski if you did hit the bar beforehand.
M.R. Ducks, an Ocean City tradition, is similar to The Angler in that it’s a viable option for those who don’t own their own boat but wish they did. The restaurant is known for hosting big fishing tournaments and providing fishing charters off the Talbot Street Pier. That pier also offers free docking and even sells marine fuel, making it super boater-friendly. Even if you come in your own boat, your kids will still be begging to ride on the Duckaneer Pirate Ship, where they’re guaranteed to have a “swashbucklin’ good time” of their own.
If you’re sans children and drinking your way down the bay, be sure to order the Chug A Duck. Trust me — a decoy filled with Amaretto and Natural Light, chugging the duck is an essential part of the Ocean City barhopping experience.
As a fairly new Beach Wedding company, our first wedding expo was a great introduction to what our beach brides are looking for!
We just loved hearing the “oohs and ahhs” from people with large smiles on their faces as they looked at our novelty items, like the wet bikini bags for beach honeymoons and the handmade boutonnieres made from recycled wine corks. Being such a niche company, it was nice to stand out but also learn from the masters of the wedding industry who have been creatively planning local weddings for years.
There was a beautiful set up by BB Wed from Barefoot Beach Bride, who also won top placement in the Ocean City, Maryland St. Patrick’s Day Parade the day before the expo (it was a very busy weekend). They have some great connections to some of the most beautiful places on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware.
We were also able to try great food and desserts, of course! The tuna poke from Taste Events was our absolute favorite. The tuna poke tasted like it was straight out of the ocean across the street. Taste Events has award-winning chefs that help every bride and groom pick stellar items, especially when it comes to coastal cuisine. Harrison Group was there as well to show all their beautiful hotel locations, where views of the ocean and bay are possible in every picture.
This expo definitely made us feel welcome in the local wedding community because everyone was helpful and appreciated our individuality. Helping each bride in many different ways is what we’re here for, and it’s easy to help them here thanks to our beautiful water views and clean sandy beaches.
Beach Bride Chic started because we are from the area, born and raised, so every time we saw a beach wedding it was always beautiful because of the gorgeous backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Thanks to Premier Bride for putting on their 6th annual Bridal Expo this year. I know we felt welcome and organized for our first show. Even one of the lucky brides who attended won a free honeymoon to Hawaii, a getaway anyone would want to win. The setup and clean-up time was worth it when we had happy soon-to-be brides and views of the ocean and bay on both sides!
March 20, 2018, the National Weather Service is calling for 2-3 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, beginning by midmorning Wednesday for the Lower Eastern Shore.
Power outages, due to the accumulation of heavy, wet snow combined with high winds and downed trees, are possible with this storm.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Emergency Services (WCES) urge residents to take the following precautions:
Secure all loose outdoor objects around homes and businesses.
Fully charge cell phones for use in the event of power outages.
Stay off the roads once roadway conditions deteriorate.
Those who must venture onto area roadways should exercise extreme caution, as slick conditions, periods of low visibility, and possible downed power lines and trees will make driving hazardous.
Protect pets from the elements by bringing them indoors. If that is not possible, provide a covered shelter with insulated bedding, like pine or cedar shavings, rather than clothing which holds moisture. Provide access to unfrozen water. Visit Worcester County Animal Control on Facebook to learn more about how to protect pets this winter.
Portable/temporary heat sources should be used per manufacturer’s recommendations, and by keeping all combustibles at least 3 feet away from any heat(er) source. Portable generators should never be operated inside a structure, including an attached garage.
WCES urges those who must venture outdoors during freezing conditions to wear layers of lightweight clothing that can be added to or removed as needed, and to protect extremities by wearing gloves and hats.
