You know the old saying “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”? In that city, Roman families stroll its piazza late into the evening, chatting, savoring an icy gelato, and enjoying the evening breezes.
When in Ocean City, you’ll find the same thing is true – just substitute beach fries or shaved ice. And in Ocean City, the place for strolling is its three-mile-long boardwalk.
Officially known as Atlantic Avenue, this pedestrian thoroughfare had its rather humble beginnings in 1902, when a few beachfront hotel owners decided to build a wooden walkway so guests could traverse the beach without getting their shoes sandy. The “boardwalk” could be rolled up and placed on the hotel porches during storms.
Today’s boardwalk ends at 27th Street, having been rebuilt and expanded after the disastrous storm of March 1962. Recent renovations to Ocean City’s downtown area focused on bringing an old-fashioned feel back to the boardwalk, now highlighted by the picturesque Boardwalk Arch at North Division Street.
The renovations began in 2000, and included new painted white streetlamps, new Victorian-style benches, and even new trash receptacles. New planters for flowers and bushes also add a freshness to the boardwalk’s new look. And it was all started when business owners went before the Mayor and the City Council seeking a new look for the town’s focal point.
In addition, many of those business owners, whose buildings date back to the early 20th century, have renovated their buildings, returning them to the charm of a bygone era. The effect of the renovations has been extremely well-received by visitors and residents alike. Ocean City’s new look has also been recognized on a national level, named one of the Best Boardwalks in America by the Travel Channel and ranked as one of the top 10 places “to have some fun on a boardwalk” by USA Today.
With its return to its roots, the boardwalk continues a long history of family entertainment. The boardwalk is home to the oldest, continuously operating carousel (circa 1912) in the country, at the family-friendly Trimper’s Rides. Another don’t miss landmark is the Pier, with its neoclassical Pier Building that dates back to 1926. The pavilion has been a focal point for entertainment and commercial activity since the early 20th century.
Another popular landmark is the Inlet Indian, sculpted in 1976 by Peter Toth as a gift to the people of Maryland. The Indian – representing the Assateague tribe, is carved out of 100-year-old oak and is one of 50 donated to each state in the country by Toth.
The Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum at Inlet offers a glimpse into Ocean City’s past. The building, completed in 1891, now houses a wonderful collection of items relating the the history of the Coast Guard in Ocean City and the city’s maritime history in general.
So when in Ocean City, whether you want to sample some of the area’s tastiest food, try your hand at an arcade game or two, or just people-watch, the boardwalk is the place to be.
When in Ocean City... stroll the boards. |
