Day Trips and Half Day Trips

Ocean City is surrounded by many small towns with proud heritages dating back to colonial times. Tiny craft shops, country auctions, modern factory outlets, old fashioned cafes and unique museums preserving our heritage are all just a short ride away from the beach.

Berlin: From the early days as a bustling stop on the main travel route north, Berlin's downtown is now a locally designated historic district. Visit the beautifully restored, Victorian-era Atlantic Hotel, the Globe Theatre, antique shops and the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, a restored early 1900s house.

Snow Hill: Quiet elegance and tree-lined streets along the river present a walking tour of eight churches and 52 homes. Highlights include concerts at the pavillion, canoeing, scenic river tours on a oyster boat, a no-license-required fishing pier and the Julia A. Purnell Museum. A few miles away, you'll find Furnace Town with its 19th Century industrial village, museums, guild shops and nature conservancy trail.

Rehoboth & Lewes: A beautiful drive along the ocean will take you through several beachfront communities and preserved seashore. In Rehoboth, you'll find a beach and boardwalk, set in a charming year-round community. Visit the Rehoboth Art League gallery in its wooded setting. A little farther north lies Lewes- a Dutch settlement in the 1600s and now a lovely historic town along the river with unusual shops and a small museum.

Salisbury: The largest city on the shore, Salisbury has everything for a day of fun. Visit the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, the Salisbury Zoo, the Salisbury Pewter Outlet, shops, art galleries- and catch a baseball game with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Easton & St. Michaels: Easton is the Colonial Capital of the Eastern Shore, with beautifully preserved brick buildings, walking tours, gardens, shops the Academy of the Arts and galleries. Only 10 minutes away, you'll find St. Michaels. Wander the quaint town center with unique shops, boutiques and gardens, and visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Assateague: With 37 miles of unspoiled sand dunes and salt marsh, Assateague features a nature trail with three 12 mile loops through dunes, forest and marsh habitats. Diverse wildlife includes free-roaming ponies. Special films, beachcoming exhibits, aquariums and demonstrations are offered at the Barrier Island Visitors Center.

Crisfield, Smith Island & Tangier Island: Crisfield and the island make their living from the bay, and their waterfront heritage is reflected in the Governor Tawes Museum, the Ward Brothers workshop, the annual Hard Crab Derby and the Skipjack Races on Labor Day weekend. On your way out of town, stop at the Carvel Hall Outlet for cutlery and visit the Burgess Early Americana Museum in Hudson's Corner.

Pocomoke: The centerpiece of town is the Pocomoke River, forming a backdrop to the historic downtown. Four miles of trail and boardwalk take you past the flora and fauna and ancient cypress trees on the northernmost cypress swamp in the country. The Mile Long Trail of Change highlights historical and natural features of the forest. The Costen House Museum, with its rose garden, is a prime example of Victorian Italianate architecture.