10 secrets of Ocean City [Pictures]

Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
The town's Ocean Bowl Skatepark now offers private lessons. Your teens and tweens will be stoked to take on the challenges of this 17,000-square-foot concrete park with a large vert ramp, mini ramp and open street course.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
The fishing pier on Ninth Street is a nice spot where the local residents go for leisurely angling. Located between Ninth Street and the bay, the pier includes tables outfitted with hoses for cleaning fish.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
You can always find a six-pack, but there are many more ways to get wet on the shore. Hooper's Crab House (hooperscrabhouse.com) recently began brewing its own beer through its Fin City Brewery. Tequila Mockingbird (octequila.com) has 100 different varieties of tequila and "killer" fresh salsa. Ocean City doesn't have vineyards, but the Costa Ventosa Winery (costaventosa.com) in Whaleyville is just minutes away and offers seven varietals.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
Ocean City offers history and a few civic lessons to keep the kids (and their parents) sharp during vacation. Did you know that City Hall, at Third Street and Baltimore Avenue, is open to the public Mondays through Fridays? Visitors can stroll the hallways and view wall panels showcasing the history of the resort town. On a related note: Residents can earn "degrees" in municipal citizenship at what's known as Ocean City University. Weekly classes are taught by city employees and department heads, and include primers on government services.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
Local residents love to hang out on the beach in front of the Castle in the Sands Hotel on 38th Street. It's a nice stretch of sand, with a pool bar at the hotel. An added bonus: A wait staff serves tasty food and drinks on the beach. (Above: Ellen Shank, of Hagerstown, and her 7-year-old daughter, Julia, place shells in the bucket at the shore near 37th Street in Ocean City.)
Glenn Fawcett, Baltimore Sun
You've seen the beach from the ground, now see it from the air. Ocean City Skytours (410-289-8687) departs from the regional airport and offers a bird's-eye view of the sea and shore.
Richard Gorelick, Baltimore Sun
This side of Assawoman Bay boasts yachts, waterfront McMansions and an easy vibe that conjures up the tropics. "West Ocean City is not a part of the town of Ocean City; it's actually outside of the town limits and is an unincorporated part of Worcester County," says Donna Abbott, tourism spokeswoman. "There are many year-round residents who live in the West O.C. area, as well as seasonal residents." The area also covers territory to the north of U.S. 50 across the bay from Ocean City. It has a marina and commercial harbor, and some great restaurants (Harborside Bar and Grill is well-known for its freshly squeezed Orange Crushes, above, while Sunset Grille overlooks the water and has potted palm trees). And for shopping galore, check out name-brand shops at Tanger Outlets, which are being renovated.

PUBLISHED: May 23, 2012 at 12:09 p.m. | UPDATED: August 18, 2019 at 10:50 p.m.

You’d think a breezy resort town that’s been around since the late 1800s would have its share of secrets. But if the good folks of Ocean City know of any, they’re not fessing up.

“As far as secrets, that’s a tough one since we basically promote everything we have to offer,” says Donna Abbott, the local tourism spokeswoman. “It’s pretty tough keeping secrets in this town.”

Indeed, Maryland’s famed resort along the Atlantic Ocean — one that draws upwards of 8 million visitors annually — doesn’t have much to hide. With 10 tidy miles of beach and a nearly three-mile boardwalk packed with arcades and eateries, the charms of these sandy shores are easily revealed.

“The secret of Ocean City is that while it’s changed in many ways with the condos and high-rise buildings, at heart, it remains the same,” says Joe Kro-Art, longtime owner of the Ocean Gallery World Center, a kitschy art gallery on the boardwalk. “Deep down, it’s still a family town, with strong family ties.”

So what should visitors know about Ocean City? Here are 10 that may not be secrets but are definitely off the well-beaten sandy path. – Donna M. Owens, Special to The Baltimore Sun

ALSO SEE: Beach Guide 2012 | What’s new in Ocean City | Ocean City myths