Whether arriving on the scene for the first time or returning here for an annual summer trip, visitors to Ocean City, Maryland often come to town with a mental list of activities and pursuits they hope to tackle during their visit. The list often comprises all the rites of passage experiences, such as beaching, mini golfing, exploring the Boardwalk, visiting Assateague Island, and dining at some of those famed area restaurants everyone’s heard of. So, it goes without saying that touring around and sightseeing would be included as part of the package deal in just about every one of the scenarios mentioned above. But knowing how and where to get around and sightsee throughout Ocean City can be a bit overwhelming for an out-of-towner who isn’t such a seasoned pro at navigating the area. But the good news is that sightseeing experiences throughout Ocean City are far easier to come by than you may realize. From those low-key options you’ve been overlooking to unique considerations you didn’t even know about, here are eight great sightseeing suggestions to keep in mind while visiting Ocean City, Maryland.
Book a Cruise
I’m not referring to an elaborate multi-day luxury ship sailing out of some Ocean City port. The kind of cruises I’m talking about are on-the-water shorter excursions limited to just a couple of hours a day at most. Ocean City boasts many options in this category, from dinner cruises to tiki tours, dolphin-watching outings to nature sightseeing adventures. Here are just some popular picks to choose from:
Assateague Island Adventures
Bay Back Adventures
Duckaneer Pirate Ship
Go With The Flow MD
OC Banana Boat
Ocean City Cruisin’ Tikis
OC Explorer
OC Swim Call
Sail Alyosha
Sea Quenched Private Charters
Sea Rocket
Talbot Street Watersports
Tipsy Tikis
West OC Watersports
Some boat-based outings adhere to a fixed schedule, but there are also some excellent private charter bookings available. OC Bay Hopper, for example, offers ongoing scheduled trips and commutes along with options to book private charters or water taxi services. Several of the above options as well as others are also available for private bookings, even including on-water fishing trips, like those with Judith M. Fishing.
Take Out a Non-Motorized Watercraft
In addition to chartering a cruise or private motorized boat/pontoon, you can have a delightful sightseeing adventure on the water via non-motorized watercraft. These options range from kayak and canoe rentals to paddleboarding. Coastal Kayak Eco Tours, SUP & Sail is an awesome suggestion, as are Ayers Creek Adventures, Assateague Outfitters, and many others throughout the greater Delmarva area.
Go Parasailing
You may not consider watersports a form of sightseeing, but when you consider all of the surrounding sights you take in while pursuing such endeavors it all makes sense. Many of the aforementioned private charter and touring options also offer parasailing, including Sea Rocket and West OC Watersports. Here are a few other considerations:
Inlet Sea Doos/Oceanside Watersports
Island Parasail
OC Bay Sports & Top Gun Watersports
OC Parasail
Paradise Watersports
Rent a Bike
Bike riding is another great way to get by and take in the sights of Greater Ocean City. Some of the most popular considerations are those that include Ocean City Boardwalk rentals. But there are also options that allow you to extend your touring to additional locales in the Greater Ocean City region. Different rates apply depending on your duration and the kind of rental you opt for, as tandem and surrey options are available at many locations. It’s also worth noting that several bike rentals also deal in wheelchairs and ECVs. Some great bike rental shops throughout (Greater) Ocean City include:
Atlantic Bikes
Beach Bum Rentals
Big Jim’s Bikes
Bike World
Beachin’ Bikes
Continental Cycles, Inc.
Cycle City, Inc.
Dandy Don’s Bike Rentals & Service
Fenwick Islander Bicycle Shoppe
Light Riders
Another awesome experience based in Berlin specifically is going on one of those TRACKS AND YAKS Railbike excursions through Historic Berlin. It’s a relatively unknown, albeit, enjoyable option for those looking for a truly unique spin on sightseeing via biking. Click here to learn more.
Engage In a Boardwalk Tram Ride
In getting back to the business of touring the Ocean City Boardwalk, you may have seen (or even had to clear out of the way of) that tram making its rounds back and forth from one end to the other. But before you consider this a lackluster option to count in the “sightseeing” department, consider the fact that it gets you from one location to another much faster and allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride—even taking in all the sights around you. What a wonderful way to appreciate low-key observances and pay attention to historic hotels and even exciting businesses you never before realized were hiding in plain sight!
Head to a Walking Tour
You don’t need to depend on some mainstream form of navigational commuting to travel around the Greater Ocean City area and take in the sights. In fact, there are several highly fulfilling walking tours catering to specific and special interests. Some options to keep in mind include historic site tours (both program-led and on-your-own), OC Foodie Tours, Chesapeake Ocean City Ghost Walks, Secrets Distillery Tours, and many others.
Ride a Horse
Believe it or not, you can even get in a little sightseeing on horseback just minutes outside of Ocean City, in Willards. Just head to Holly Ridge Farm Equestrian Center for a scenic riding experience through a vast pastoral wilderness you’d swear is more fairyland than coastal-based. In addition to leading trail rides, Holly Ridge Farm even offers onsite lessons at their stables. Visit the website to learn more.
Take Flight with a Plane Ride
How would you like to get an unparalleled high-in-the-sky bird’s-eye view of the surrounding Ocean City area? Well, you can do just that by booking your own private plane ride! That’s right, you have the option to select either a two-passenger open-air biplane or a three-person enclosed Cessna. Most aerial excursions are limited to 30 minutes and feature breathtaking rides over Ocean City Beaches and Assateague Island. Planes depart from the Ocean City Municipal Airport in Berlin. Click the website link to learn more.
These are just some of the optimal options to consider while seeking out novelty ways to get in a little sightseeing while visiting Ocean City. Keep in mind that some suggestions are limited to specific locations throughout the area. Also, as is always the case, all of the ideas highlighted here are subject to change, so it’s always best to plan accordingly and contact any venue you plan to follow up with in advance.