The Ocean City area continues to sprawl westward across the bay and toward Berlin and Ocean Pines. It is part of the Ocean Pines Micropolitan Statistical Area. The resort area now accommodates hundreds of thousands of vacationers a year.

Ocean City now extends just over 9 miles (~15 km) from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The strip now supports hotels, motels, apartment houses, shopping centers, residential communities, and condominiums. The southern tip houses the Ocean City Boardwalk. The boardwalk is the main shopping district and entertainment area of the town. The boardwalk has many prominent businesses including Fisher’s Caramel Popcorn & Thrashers French Fries. Other notable boardwalk businesses are Dollies Salt Water Taffy, the Atlantic Stand & Dumser’s Dairyland. The Boardwalk has two amusement parks, Trimper’s Rides and The Pier, which was recently renamed Jolly Roger at The Pier, after its sister uptown local amusement park. The downtown neighborhood is marked by Victorian style houses and other older buildings, many of which have been razed in recent years to construct more parking lots, hotels and condos.

Ocean City has a long history of fishing, both commercial and recreational. The town bills itself as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” During the summer numerous charter and private boats fish for billfish, tuna, Wahoo, and other game fish. In early August, one of the largest fishing tournaments in the world, the White Marlin Open, is held. Prize money for the largest White Marlin, Blue Marlin, and Tuna can range over 1 million dollars.

The town supports a year-round population of about 8,000, with the town itself being a major employer. Summer employment in Ocean City rises many multiples above that level, supported by a large number of college-age and young adults – many native to Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom – attracted by numerous job opportunities. In the summer, businesses and government agencies are augmented with about 100 seasonal police officers, plus extra firefighters and other workers.

Tourism in the winter has picked up pace. Where once even many traffic lights were shut down or bagged up, increased traffic from golfers and Ocean City Convention Center conventions has convinced many seasonal restaurants and hotels to remain open. Many bars and restaurants that close during the winter re-open for St. Patrick’s Day.

The city has erected a memorial to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11. This memorial is located on the boardwalk, about six blocks from the inlet. The memorial consists of a firefighter statue, engraved brick and stone, and a piece of one of the twin towers that collapsed in New York City.

Effective 26 April 2010, the town of Ocean City began diverting all of its recyclable waste into the main waste stream. Ocean City’s waste, including all of its recyclable waste, is being incinerated at a waste facility in Pennsylvania in order to generate electricity.

Thank you to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

Ferris Wheel On The Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland has over 10 miles of clean sandy beaches. It’s located just 2-3 hours from Washington, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and many Pennsylvania areas. It all started when, according to legend, Isaac Coffin built in 1869 the first beach-front cottage to receive paying guests. People came by stage coach and ferry. They came to fish off the shore, to enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean pounding against the long strip of sandy beach, to collect seashells, or just to sit back and watch the rolling surf.

Whether he knew it or not, Isaac Coffin’s Inn began a new era. Soon other boarding houses were built on the strip of sand. The activity attracted some prominent businessmen from the Eastern Shore, Baltimore and Philadelphia. They came not so much to visit as to survey this attractive barrier island. A decision was made to develop it and 250 lots were cut into it. The corporation stock of 4,000 shares sold for $25 each. It was a good investment.

The Atlantic Hotel opened July 4, 1875. Located on the ocean it offered dancing and billiard rooms to the visitors of its more than 400 rooms.

Prior to 1870, what is now Ocean City, Maryland, was known as “The Ladies Resort to the Ocean”.

The Ocean City Inlet was formed during a powerful storm in 1933. Engineers took advantage of nature’s intervention and made the inlet at the south end of Ocean City permanent. The inlet eventually helped to establish Ocean City as one of the world’s great fishing ports as it offered easy access to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean. Today it is home to the “White Marlin Open” the world’s largest billfish tournament.

Ocean City is one of the east coast’s most popular resorts. It is a year round resort with a now world famous beach and three mile boardwalk. Swimming, boating and many golf courses have made it a high quality resort destination.

Parasail – Soar high above the boardwalk and get the best view of Ocean City – from 800 feet in the air. Experienced guides guarantee a safe, smooth ride, and you might not even have to get your feet wet. Fly over the bay to check out the OC skyline, or take the ocean route and try to spot dolphins.  And the best part – no experience is necessary for this exhilarating ride.

Catch a Fish (Or Several!) - Anglers find themselves in a saltwater heaven in Ocean City, where one day you can reel in yellow fin tuna and blue marlin a short distance off-shore, and the next day drop a line in the bay or off one of the many piers for some flounder.  There are several fishing outfitters and charters ready to set you on course for a fishing trip to brag about.

Delve Into an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet - Crab legs or prime rib?  Shrimp or steak?  You don’t have to choose at Ocean City’s popular buffets – you can have it all.  Several restaurants in town offer extensive buffets, many offering a baffling array of seafood, including local delicacies like Maryland Blue Crabs.  Those picky eaters in the family are bound to find happiness with the dozens and dozens of delicious offerings.  And one thing is for sure, nobody’s leaving hungry.

Shop, Shop, and Shop Again - We know the story – you go in for a beach towel and some sunscreen and you come out with a new necklace, a bathing suit, some candy and a handful of souvenirs you just have to have.  It is Ocean City shopping at its finest-there’s everything you need and much, much more.  From beautiful jewelry to discount designer dubs, you’ll find a wide variety of merchandise all over town, from the outlet malls to the boardwalk.

Go on an Eco-Adventure - Away from the bustling boardwalk, there are still areas of pristine natural beach, with swaying marsh grasses and plentiful wildlife.  And luckily, exploring these areas is surprisingly easy.  Just head over to Assateague Island, rent a kayak or bicycle, and explore the island.  Or, take a guided nature cruise right from Ocean-City and let a professional naturalist explain the eco-system and point out wildlife.

Cool Off on a Speed Boat - It’s 90 degrees, you’ve been in the sun all day, and you’re craving a cool breeze.  Sounds like the perfect time to jump on one of Ocean City’s speedboat cruises, which blast you across the ocean at top speeds.  Feel the wind and cool mist on your face as you try to spot dolphins in the boat’s high-powered wake.  Just don’t forget to take your hat off.

Rent a Jet Ski – Take on the waves in your own watercraft.  Fast and fun to drive, jet ski rentals are a great way to cool off and get your adrenaline pumping after a day of lounging in the sun.  Area rental companies provide training and equipment, and require that you stay within a certain riding area.   Ride alone or with a friend, and prepare for a thrilling (and wet!) ride.

Fly a Kite – A quintessential beach activity, kite flying is a great way to get the whole family involved.  Bring your own kite, or buy a new one at the beach.  You’ll be surprised by the variety of colors and shapes.  Single line kites are the easiest to fly, while two-line kites are the best for maneuvers like loops and spins.  Area kite stores are more than happy to assist you in your search for the perfect kite, and give tips on how to fly it best.

Dine on the Docks -A beach vacation just isn’t complete without a good meal and a cool drink with an ocean view.  Ocean City is home to several quality restaurants with stunning views.  Signature drinks, delectable seafood and a great atmosphere are staples of every waterside establishment.  Some also double as popular hotspots at night, with live music and a fun-loving crowd.

Spot a Wild Pony - The ponies of Assateague Island have been roaming the sand dunes and marshes of their windswept strip of land for hundreds of years.  Today, visitors come from near and far to check out the peculiar animals in their natural habitat.  Just remember not to touch or feed the ponies – they are still wild animals.

Thx to the Ocean City Visitor’s Guide - Vol 15 – No. 3

There is plenty of fishing to to be found in and around Ocean City. If you are driving into town over the Route 50 bridge, you’ll see young and old alike lined up on the bridge with their fishing poles dropped in the water. Or you just can just perch yourself on a jetty and cast your line into the sea. For those seeking a little more, there are many options available. You can rent a boat for a lazy day on the bay, or for those with a more serious challenge in mind, charter a local fishing boat to go offshore.

You can find out all the local information at the Ocean City Fishing Center.

Let's go fishing at the largest billfish tournament in the Nation

It’s getting to that super special time of the summer!  Ocean City, Maryland hosts the annual White Marlin Tournament, the largest bill fish tournament in the world. It began in 1974 with just 56 boats competing for $20,000 in prize money.  It has grown over the decades.  This year there will be over 4 boats, 1,500 anglers, tens of thousands of spectators and millions of dollars in prize money.

The fish are spectacular. The prizes are huge, totaling more than $2.5 million. And the excitement is building for the 36th Annual White Marlin Open, Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, 2009.

Stakes are high–up to nearly $1 million for the biggest white marlin. Prizes are also awarded for the largest blue marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi (dolphin fish), wahoo and shark.

Spectators are welcome to watch, as 300+ boats take more than 1,500 of the world’s best anglers out to pursue some of America’s largest fish. Then check out the spectacular weigh-ins every evening from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Harbour Island Marina, 14th Street and the bay.

You never know what you’ll see at the weigh-in. In 2001, a local man proposed to his wife-to-be at the scales. A few years later, he caught a fish worth almost $1 million.

The anglers will be fishing for the white marlin, the top prize in the tournament, as well as blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark.

From August 3rd thru the 7^th, the boats may fish any three of those days. Boats participating in the tournament must be weighed in at the official scale at the Harbour Island Marina between 4 and 9:15pm.  There are large amounts of money to be won.  These anglers are very serious.

It’s a lot of fun to go to Harbour Island Marina in the late afternoon and watch the big boats come in.  They will be flying flags to show what type of fish they have caught. They then pull up to the weigh-in area, and the fish is hauled up, and weighed in front of the crowd.  There is lots of cheering and clapping.  It is an extremely good time being had by all.

If you have never experienced the White Marlin Tournament, you are truly missing out. Harbour Island Marina is located on 13^th Street and the Bay in Ocean City, Maryland.  Get there early so you can get a good spot by the scale.