Ocean City Information

About the Ocean City, MD, Ocean Pines, MD and Bethany Beach, DE, Maryland Area 

Ocean City 

With over ten miles of clean white sand, invigorating salt air, refreshing ocean swimming, cheerful marinas, a four-mile boardwalk, and ample recreational, cultural, and family activities, it is easy to see why Ocean City is one of the top vacation resorts on the eastern seaboard and an increasingly popular relocation spot. 

Stroll or bike along the boardwalk and check out all the attractions before stopping at a beachside café for refreshment. Play golf on one of the many great 18-hole golf courses on the island. Hook a marlin on a sport fishing charter, go boating on the bay and sail the open ocean. Go surfing. Play mini golf with your family, spend a day at one of the many water or amusement parks on the island, or learn about the history and natural science of the area at a museum. Relax on the beach, cool off in the ocean and finish up with drinks on your balcony before dinner. Restaurants range from the five-star to the family and many have lovely views of the ocean. Waterfront bars provide a place to follow the game or relax with friends. The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is based in Ocean City and performs several times a year. Outdoor concerts and entertainments run the entire summer long. The Assateague National Seashore wilderness area is just south of Ocean City and beautiful any time of year. 

Whatever you enjoy, you’ll find it at Ocean City—and the best part is, as a resident, you get to enjoy it all year round. Beautiful modern homes, quaint beach cottages, and designer condominiums tempt families, retired couples, and beach lovers of all ages to move to Ocean City. 

LOCATION
Ocean City is in Worcester County, Maryland, on the mid-Atlantic sea coast east of Chesapeake Bay. On a long slender island between the open sea to the east and the Isle of Wight Bay to the west, Ocean City is met by State Highway 50 on its southern end and the Ocean City Expressway (Route 90) on its northern border. The Coastal Highway runs north to south between these two points, passing out of Ocean City and journeying up the coast to Delaware. 

State Highway 50 leads west to Cambridge, Annapolis, and beyond, intersecting with several key freeways and interstates en route. Route 90 meets State Highway 50 at Saint Martin, some ten miles inland from Ocean City. 

Philadelphia is about 110 miles north of Ocean City; New York is about 200 miles. Washington is about 130 miles west and Baltimore is about 150 miles northwest. Ocean Pines is about 6 miles inland and Berlin is about 11. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Two airports serve the Ocean City area: the Ocean City Municipal Airport and the Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport.  

Ocean City Airport is about three miles west of the town center in West Ocean City, and is used daily by charter and private planes. Rental car and taxi service is available. 

The regional airport is just east of Salisbury, which is about thirty miles inland from Ocean City just south of Route 50. me Air offers scheduled flights to and from Baltimore, Washington, DC and Philadelphia, with connecting flights to the rest of the country and the world. 

The Beach Express bus company offers shuttles to the airports and also runs tours and Shore Transit, the regional public transport service, connects towns throughout Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The Coastal Highway Bus runs up and down the entire length of the Coastal Highway and the Boardwalk tram travels Ocean City’s four mile boardwalk, stopping to pick up or drop off passengers wherever they wish en route.
 

BRIEF HISTORY
Until the mid-1800s, Ocean City was a barren island, home to sea grasses, wading birds, and fishermen who rowed across from the mainland. In 1869, a local farmer built a small inn for fishermen on the island and holidaymakers began to use it. 

By 1875 a small fishing village had sprung up on the southernmost tip of the island, and there were several hotels for vacationers. Ocean City was incorporated that same year. The construction of a railway bridge over the Sinepuxent Bay the following year made Ocean City more accessible, and the town’s holiday economy took off. Many local men worked in the pound fishing industry, while women ran and staffed the hotels.  

In the early 1900s, the Trimper brothers, Baltimore entrepreneurs, built an amusement park. Today, the park remains in the hands of their descendents. The boardwalk was built between 1900 and 1915, and was pulled up and stored each winter. Today's permanent boardwalk spans almost three miles. 

In August 1933, violent storm cut an inlet through the island from the Atlantic to Chesapeake Bay, and sport fishermen began to flock to it. The first white marlin was caught off the coast the following year, and Ocean City became known as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.”  

Gradual development expanded the city north; until the little fishing village became what it is today—a vibrant resort community spread over ten miles. 

ABOUT EDUCATION
The Worchester County Board of Education administers Ocean City Elementary school; students travel to nearby Berlin to attend their choice of middle and high schools.  

There are several fine universities and colleges in the region, including the Delaware Technical And Community College in Georgetown (about thirty miles from Ocean City), Salisbury State University (about thirty-eight miles), the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (about forty-six miles away in Princess Anne), and Delaware State University (about sixty-two miles away in Dover). 

Ocean Pines 

Ocean Pines is a private residential community on Maryland's Eastern Shore. With pockets of settlement surrounded by large parks, piney woods, and sports clubs (including the Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club, the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Club, and the Ocean Pines Yacht Club and Marina), Ocean Pines offers all the enjoyments of resort living while being a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of nearby Ocean City. 

Surrounded by water on three sides, Ocean Pines has over nine miles of waterfront property, liberally planted with shady trees. Many homes have superb views. The marina is large and boating and yachting a popular pastime. The community’s 15,000 year round and 7,500 summertime residents enjoy the use of five swimming pools, an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, a yacht club, two marinas, a community hall, a tennis complex, basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and numerous lakes and parks, complete with playgrounds and walking trails. Two volunteer fire stations and a police force protect the community.  

Not surprisingly, Ocean Pines is a popular with young families and retirement aged adults; the median age of its population is 50. Many are attracted by the superb Ocean Pines senior living development.  

LOCATION
Ocean Pines is on the mid-Atlantic sea coast in Worcester County, Maryland. Just off the Ocean City Expressway (Route 90), Ocean Pines is situated between two large parks and faces the Saint Martin River. Isle of Wight Bay is on its easternmost flank.  

Route 90 continues east to Ocean City (about six miles away) and west to the junction with State Highway 50 at Saint Martin (about eight miles away). State Highway 50 leads west to Cambridge, Annapolis, and beyond, intersecting with several key freeways and interstates en route.  

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
The Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport is less than thirty miles from Ocean Pines and is serviced by me Air, who offer regular flights to and from Baltimore, Washington, DC and Philadelphia. These airports are all major with flights to centers around the nation and the globe.  

The Beach Express in Ocean Pines offers a shuttle service to both airports and also runs tours. The regional public transport service, Shore Transit connects towns in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties; para-transit is offered as well as the fixed route service.  

BRIEF HISTORY
Ocean Pines was developed by the Ocean Pines Administration, who currently administers and manages the resort, reviewing all architecture and planned development, caring for the parks, recreational facilities, and public works, and assessing memberships into the community. The Association is managed by an elected board of seven representatives who have the power to set legislative policy.  

ABOUT EDUCATION
Children in Ocean Pines attend the Ocean City Elementary school and travel to Berlin for middle and high school. Higher education options include the Delaware Technical And Community College in Georgetown (about thirty miles away), Salisbury State University (about thirty-two miles), the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (about forty miles away in Princess Anne), and Delaware State University (about sixty miles away in Dover). 

Berlin 

Berlin is a pretty, historic, and peaceful town, familiar to many moviegoers as the location of “Runaway Bride” and “Tuck Everlasting.” Almost fifty homes and community facilities are noted in the National Register of Historic Places. Proud of their town’s Federal and Victorian history, local residents have worked cooperatively to preserve, renovate, and protect Berlin’s historic residential and commercial districts. Lovely tree-lined streets, historic homes, and a Victorian red brick town center full of antique and craft stores, delightful eateries, and art galleries charms visitors and residents alike. Berlin is as rich in culture as it is in history, with good museums and an excellent community theatre, the Globe. The Worcester County Arts Council gallery features the works of local artists. 

Ocean City and the lovely Assateague Island National Park and the Maryland State Park are minutes from Berlin, as is the beach. There are two fully equipped public campgrounds nearby.  

LOCATION
Berlin, Maryland is about ten miles inland from the Atlantic sea coast on State Highway 113, which runs north to Delaware and south to Pocomoke City and Virginia. 

State Highway 113 intersects the Ocean City Expressway (Route 90) about five miles north of Berlin; Route 90 leads west to State Highway 50 at Saint Martin and east to the ocean.  

Ocean Pines (on Route 90) is about eight miles away, and Ocean City is about ten miles away. 

State Highway 50 leads west to Cambridge, Annapolis, and beyond, intersecting with several key freeways and interstates en route.  

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Berlin is just over 20 miles from the Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport which has regular flights to and from Baltimore, Washington, DC and Philadelphia. These airports host many of the world’s primary airlines which fly to cities around America and the world.  

Shore Transit, the Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties public transport service, has routes in Berlin. Shore Transit also connects towns throughout the area and offers an additional para-transit service.  

BRIEF HISTORY
The Berlin region was originally home to the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians and today’s Main Street was originally part of the path between the two tribal settlements. 

In 1677 a land parcel of three hundred acres was granted to English settlers; this became Burley Plantation. In time an inn was built to serve travelers on the Indian trail, which had become the Philadelphia Post Road. This important route connected Philadelphia with commercial centers to the west, and travellers continued to increase. During the seventeen-nineties the village of Berlin gradually formed around the inn; according to local history, “Berlin” is simply a contraction of “Burley Inn”. 

Berlin was incorporated in 1868 and continued to grow as tourists discovered the great hunting and fishing to be had on the eastern shore. 19th century naval hero Stephen Decatur was born in Berlin. 

One of the nicest things about Berlin is that the community has valued the town’s history; a walk through the downtown and residential neighbourhoods will lead you past Federal, Victorian and American homes and buildings. Mature shade trees and shrubs grace streets and yards; magnolias, sycamores, tulip poplars, bald cypress and ginkgo trees add to the sense of peace. 

Designated a “Main Street Community” by the State of Maryland in recognition of its revitalization progress, Berlin has almost fifty buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. 

ABOUT EDUCATION
Berlin’s two elementary, two middle, and one high school are run by the Worchester County Board of Education. All schools have Internet access and there is a computer for every five students. Student to teacher ratios are low, ensuring higher grades and a happier school experience for students. 

Nearby higher education options include the Delaware Technical And Community College in Georgetown (about twenty-seven miles away), Salisbury State University (about twenty-eight miles), the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (about thirty-five miles away in Princess Anne), and Delaware State University (about sixty miles away in Dover). 

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