Ocean City, Maryland, is a barrier-island resort along the Atlantic coast of Worcester County, known for its broad beaches, long boardwalk, and connection to the coastal bays. The town stretches for about 10 miles between the Ocean City Inlet and the Delaware state line, with distinct neighborhoods ranging from the historic downtown to quieter northern sections. Its roots as a fishing community remain visible alongside its role as a major seaside destination. The Atlantic Ocean, Sinepuxent Bay, and commercial harbor give Ocean City a landscape shaped by both recreation and working waterfront traditions.

Ocean City’s history is closely tied to fishing, maritime rescue, and the development of the Eastern Shore as a seaside resort. The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum preserves the story of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the crews who responded to shipwrecks along the coast. The town’s boardwalk also reflects this history, having developed alongside early hotels and amusement businesses. A major storm created the Ocean City Inlet, permanently changing access to the harbor and strengthening the town’s importance as a sport-fishing center. Today, fishing tournaments and maritime activities remain important parts of local identity.

The Ocean City Boardwalk is the town’s best-known landmark, extending nearly three miles along the waterfront with arcades, restaurants, shops, amusement rides, and the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. At the southern end, Inlet Park provides views toward Assateague Island and the Atlantic. The nearby Assateague Island National Seashore protects beaches, dunes, marshes, and coastal habitat, while Assateague State Park offers another setting for exploring the barrier-island environment. Ocean City also provides access to kayaking, boating, surfing, fishing, cycling, and other activities across its oceanfront and bayside waterways.

Seafood is central to Ocean City’s food culture, with Maryland blue crabs, scallops, oysters, and other locally sourced seafood appearing on menus throughout town. Boardwalk food has its own traditions, including French fries, popcorn, ice cream, and other casual treats associated with seaside outings. The town is also closely connected with the white marlin, earning recognition as the White Marlin Capital of the World because of its long-running sport-fishing tradition. Another distinctive feature is the contrast between the developed resort landscape and the undeveloped coastal habitats nearby, particularly the dunes, wetlands, and wildlife of Assateague Island.