Have you ever been curious about historic Ocean City places? C’mon, you can admit it! I’m sure we all have that bit of curiosity.
Though there are many hotels, stores, and other places that show the pure magnitude of Ocean City, this town has some great history behind it! Speaking of bridges, Oceancity.com has a great story about the bridge with the sign. You know the one. The sign that binds Ocean City to its sister city, Sacramento, California. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you might have to look into it. Speaking of looking, let’s diver right into some historic places around Ocean City. They are definitely worth checking out!
The Ocean City Lifesaving Museum
The Ocean City Life Saving Museum is a great place to start looking at Ocean City’s history. It’s located next to the inlet parking lot and is easily accessible from the Boardwalk. It is open from Monday-Saturday at 10AM – 5PM. Guests can see artifacts in “The Wreck of the Offing”, “The Boardwalk of Yesteryear”, and “Then and Now” exhibits. For information, visitors can check their website to book a tour and research their exhibits.
The Ocean City Lifesaving Museum.
The Totem: A Whispering Giant
For decades, a 20 ft. wood-carved sculpture of a Native American has called the Ocean City Inlet. It’s actually right on the boards overlooking the Atlantic ocean. He wears a headband with a single feather poking from the top and has withstood over 40 years of summer heat, winter frostbite and year-round storms. By now, his presence in Ocean City is almost as certain as the ocean itself. Visiting the totem is a great photo-op and you should check it out if you have the chance!
The totem by Peter Toth stands tall near the inlet.
The Only Marked Grave in Ocean City
The Captain William Carhart grave Ocean City, MD.
Did you know there are no cemeteries with marked graves in Ocean City? There is only ONE marked grave! According to the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites, the grave belongs to Captain Carhart, but that’s another mystery for another time. In addition, despite all the development around it (it’s smack dab in the middle of a golf course, no less!), the marked grave remains. It’s well-worth seeing.
The site of Captain William Carhart’s grave in West Ocean City.
The Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar
While this one isn’t technically one of the historic Ocean City places, it’s still in nearby Berlin and worth checking out.
The Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar, known to locals as the Drummer’s Cafe, has served the Berlin & Delmarva communities for over a hundred years and still remains a favorite for visitors to the Eastern Shore.
The present day Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar is as popular as ever with quality guest service and exceptional culinary creations. The vintage bar offers fine wines by the glass or bottle, a fantastic selection of local craft beers, and fresh, creative cocktails.
The Atlantic Hotel was built in 1875 and owned by the Atlantic Hotel Company. The sign displays the date 1923 in which it became family owned and operated.
Lite Fare is served from 11am to closing. A fine dining menu begins at five o’clock with one of the most impressive dinner menus in the area. Happy Hour starts at 5pm, Sunday – Friday.
An enclosed porch allows diners to enjoy the view of Berlin’s Historic District all year long. In season the screened porch is a favorite spot to take in the charm of this small town, especially those warm summer nights when there is entertainment on the front porch.
Ocean City Foodie Tours
This is a great way to learn about the history of Ocean City! Your Taste of Ocean City tour starts when you meet your guide, a local food lover eager to share their wealth of knowledge about this coastal gem of a town. The guide will share Ocean City’s history and culture as a beach resort, surfing and fishing community, and culinary destination.
Your mid-day tour continues with stops at some of the hottest locations in Ocean City’s impressive local restaurant and bar scene. You have the chance to stroll at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently to taste various delicious dishes of land and sea while your guide introduces you to the culinary artists behind the delectable dishes.
You’ll also sample fresh daily catches from Ocean City’s famous commercial fisheries. There are local dishes made with ingredients sourced from local produce suppliers, and then you conclude with something to delight your sweet tooth. Five stops-and five tasting courses!
While you’re feasting, your guide will share culinary secrets, local lore and little known but fascinating Ocean City history. You’ll wrap up your tour feeling like a local. You’ll have a robust knowledge of this waterfront wonderland and the many treasures and flavors it has to offer.
Get ready to sip sample and savor the flavors of the shore…. by booking online for the next OC FoodieTour!
Total walking distance is approximately one mile, suitable for adults of all fitness levels.
We couldn’t discuss historic Ocean City places without mentioning Harbor Watch. Located on the southern end of the boardwalk, Harrison’s Harbor Watch is an Ocean City, MD institution. It’s been a premier dining destination on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for over 30 years. It is perched at the end of the Ocean City Boardwalk. It also overlooks the Inlet through its spacious, window-lined interior. The Harbor Watch creates the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience and spectacular views.
“Boasting the only authentic raw bar in town, Harbor Watch Restaurant prides itself on purchasing the highest quality of hand-tonged oysters from local waters. It is these delicacies that go straight into Harbor Watch’s locally famous Oyster Stew served exclusively at our raw bar.”
An Ocean City Delicacy: Maryland Blue Crabs
More importantly, the clams they serves “are sustainably harvested from Virginia waters and the Maryland side of the Assateague Channel. In season, fish such as Flounder, Mahi Mahi, Swordfish and Tuna are pulled straight off the boats that dock at the Commercial Harbor in West Ocean City and served fresh the same day.”
During the summer, they bring back amazing foods from the Laurel Produce Market in Laurel, DE, which “are made to hand select crisp sweet corn, juicy beefsteak tomatoes and some of the Eastern Shore’s sweetest watermelons.We invite you and your family to grab a seat at our Raw Bar or overlooking the Inlet and have an oyster or two and the freshest seafood dishes in town. Enjoy, Ocean City!”
The Scoop on Harrison’s
If you’re looking for a venue with classic Ocean City character, history and ambiance, then the Harbor Watch is for you. This place has gorgeous second floor panoramic views of Assateague Island, the Ocean, and the Bay! So sit back and enjoy the front row seats to a sunset you will remember forever.
Have you checked out any of these places? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section below!
