Ocean Pines
Around Ocean Pines
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · Maryland · 54k people
Ocean Pines
Locals say the Eastern Shore
Sun, sand, and the smell of Old Bay.
sunset orangeAtlantic bluemarsh teal
Welcome to the Eastern Shore! Whether you're here for the beach, the boardwalk, or the wild ponies, there's always something to do. Get ready for some good seafood and friendly locals.
Clubs for Ocean Pines
No clubs for Ocean Pines yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Ocean Pines. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Ocean Pines. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ocean City Boardwalk Iconic wooden boardwalk with shops, food, and arcades.
- Assateague Island National Seashore Wild ponies, pristine beaches, and nature trails.
- Ocean City Fishing Pier Popular pier for fishing and sightseeing.
- Berlin Historic District Victorian architecture, boutique shops, and restaurants.
- Ocean City Inlet Where the bay meets the ocean, great for watching boats.
- Northside Park Large park with sports fields, playgrounds, and a fishing lagoon.
- Outdoors Walk the boardwalk
- Outdoors Swim and sunbathe at the beach
- With kids Ride the tram on the boardwalk
- With kids Visit the arcades and amusement rides
- Evenings Live music at beach bars
- Evenings Nighttime boardwalk stroll
- Locals love crab houses
- Locals love boardwalk food stands
Through the year
- Ocean City Springfest May Arts, crafts, food, and live music to kick off the season.
- Ocean City Sunfest September End-of-summer festival with entertainment, crafts, and food.
- Winterfest of Lights November-December Drive-through holiday light display at Northside Park.
- White Marlin Open August World-renowned billfish tournament with big prizes.
- Ocean City Air Show June Aerial performances over the beach and boardwalk.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters, with a coastal breeze. The best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Shore”
- The Eastern Shore of Maryland, including Ocean City.
- “Downy Ocean”
- Going to Ocean City, often said as 'going downy ocean'.
- “Boardwalk”
- The iconic wooden walkway in Ocean City, used as a destination.
- “Old Bay”
- The essential seafood seasoning used on crabs and fries.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Ocean City Nor'easters USL League Two
Eat and drink
- Maryland blue crab Steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay, a regional staple.
- crab cakes Lump crabmeat cakes, often broiled or fried, served with tartar sauce.
- Old Bay seasoning The essential spice blend used on seafood, fries, and everything else.
- Thrasher's French Fries A boardwalk institution since 1929, known for its vinegar-doused fries.
- Fisher's Popcorn Caramel popcorn that has been a boardwalk favorite since 1937.
- saltwater taffy A classic boardwalk candy, often sold in colorful varieties.
Where people go
- boardwalk The iconic Ocean City Boardwalk, a three-mile stretch of shops, eateries, and amusements.
- beach Sandy Atlantic beaches that draw visitors in summer.
- fishing pier Piers like the Ocean City Inlet and the pier at the end of the boardwalk, popular for fishing and sightseeing.
- marina Marinas along the bay and inlet, offering boating, charter fishing, and crabbing.
- wildlife refuge Assateague Island National Seashore, known for wild ponies and pristine dunes.
- historic downtown Berlin's historic Main Street, with Victorian architecture and local shops.
Heritage and traditions
The Eastern Shore is proud of its small-town charm, maritime heritage, and the wild ponies of Assateague. Locals treasure the slower pace, close-knit communities, and the natural beauty of the bay and ocean.
This time of year in Ocean Pines
- Waterfowl hunting Fall–Winter Fall and winter attract hunters for ducks and geese in the marshes.
- Oyster roasts Fall–Winter Community roasts at fire halls and churches in colder months.
Say it like a local: “Go crabbing” — To catch crabs, a summer pastime.
Festivals
- Ocean City Film Festival April Independent films and local filmmakers every spring.
- Ocean City Springfest May Arts, crafts, and live music kicking off the season.
- Ocean City Air Show June Blue Angels and other military jets over the beach.
- White Marlin Open August The world's largest billfish tournament, with big prizes.
- Ocean City Sunfest September End-of-summer celebration with crafts and concerts.
- Ocean City Bikefest September Motorcycle rally drawing thousands of riders.
Landmarks with a story
- Berlin Historic District Victorian-era architecture and a well-preserved Main Street.
- Snow Hill Historic District Colonial and Federal buildings along the Pocomoke River.
- Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum A restored 19th-century iron furnace village near Snow Hill.
- Calvin B. Taylor House Museum A Federal-style house in Berlin showcasing local history.
- All Hallows Episcopal Church Historic church in Snow Hill dating to the 18th century.
- Bishopville Cemetery Final resting place of many early settlers and Civil War veterans.
Food traditions
- Crab feasts Steamed blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay, eaten on newspaper-covered tables. A summer ritual for locals and visitors alike.
- Rockfish (striped bass) season Spring and fall bring rockfish runs; locals grill or fry the catch, often at backyard cookouts.
- Oyster roasts In colder months, community oyster roasts at fire halls and churches celebrate the Chesapeake's bounty.
- Chicken and dumplings A comfort food staple at church suppers and family gatherings, reflecting rural Eastern Shore roots.
- Boardwalk treats Thrasher's French Fries and Fisher's Popcorn are iconic, but also saltwater taffy and caramel corn from local shops.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and country music Local bands play at festivals and bars, reflecting Southern influence.
- Duck decoy carving A traditional craft on the Eastern Shore, with carvers and collectors.
- Ocean City Center for the Arts Showcases local painters, photographers, and crafts.
- Berlin Arts and Entertainment District Galleries and live music venues in the historic town.
A little history
- 1875 Ocean City founded as a seaside resort
- 1962 The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 reshaped the coast and inspired modern beach replenishment.
- Late 19th century Berlin became a railroad town, connecting the Eastern Shore to the north.
- 18th–19th centuries Snow Hill served as a port on the Pocomoke River, shipping lumber and agricultural goods.
- Late 19th century The U.S. Life-Saving Service operated stations along the coast, including at Ocean City.
Rivalries
- Ocean City vs. Rehoboth Beach Friendly rivalry over which beach town is better.
- Worcester County vs. Wicomico County High school sports rivalry between neighboring counties.
- Ocean City Nor'easters vs. Reading United USL League Two soccer rivalry.
- Game day White Marlin Open
- Game day Surf fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Watch the sunrise over the Atlantic
- Outdoors Go crabbing with a chicken neck
- With kids Riding the boardwalk tram
- With kids Visiting the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
The Eastern Shore accent blends Southern drawl with Mid-Atlantic features, often dropping the 'r' in words like 'car' (cah) and using a slower, more relaxed pace. Locals say 'down the ocean' for going to the beach and refer to the bay simply as 'the bay'.
Only here
- The wild ponies of Assateague Island, which have roamed for centuries.
- The White Marlin Open, the largest billfish tournament in the world.
- The Ocean City Inlet, where the bay meets the ocean and jetty fishing is a pastime.
- The boardwalk tram, a beloved way to ride the 3-mile stretch.
New here? A few tips
- Expect heavy traffic on Route 50 and Coastal Highway in summer; plan around weekends.
- Humidity and mosquitoes are real—bring insect repellent for evenings.
- Learn to pronounce 'Worcester' as 'Wuh-ster' and 'Berlin' as 'BUR-lin' (not like Germany).
- Try a crab feast with Old Bay early on; it's a local rite of passage.
- Many businesses close in the off-season (October–April), so check hours.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Salisbury area
Nearby
Every areaSalisburyMarylandSalt air, crab pots, and slow sunsets.Eastern ShoreVirginiaWhere the bay meets the sea and time slows to a tide's pace.SeafordDelawareWhere the bay meets the farmDentonMarylandWhere the Choptank runs slow and the harvest runs deep.CambridgeMarylandSmall town, big waterEastonMarylandChesapeake calm, Eastern Shore soul.DoverDelawareWhere the First State’s heart beats steady.Lexington ParkMarylandWhere the Chesapeake meets the sky.
Ocean Pines, MD. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.