Part 3: Maryland Daytripping to the Beach
One of the best things about Maryland is our (relatively) close access to the beach! In today's installment of Daytripping Around Maryland, Buddy travels to Ocean City and visits our friends at HiTide.
HiTide Dispensary is located in West Ocean City. They offer daily deals and curbside pickup.
Many of the amazing staff at HiTide have lived in or around Ocean City their whole lives. So we asked them for their favorite places to eat and drink and some fun things to do.
What To Do?
Ocean City, Maryland is surrounded by water, and you’re surrounded by choices of how to enjoy it! The entire 10-mile stretch of OC's fabulous Atlantic Ocean beach is FREE and accessible from every side street. There are great sightseeing tours available that allow you to explore the ecosystem of the ocean and bay via boats, kayaks and catamarans. Or rent paddle boards, kayaks, or canoes and venture out on your own. Ocean City, Maryland also offers some of the best surfing in the mid-Atlantic!
Daily Fishing Charters
The Morning Star: Join Captain Monty Hawkins aboard The Party Boat that Fishes Like a Private Charter! There's always plenty of room at the rail for all anglers! The Morning Star sells out at 25 anglers and everyone gets a spot on the rail. Captain Monty specializes in precision fishing of the natural, shipwreck and artificial reefs off the coast of Maryland.
Pumpin' Hard: For a longer trip or an overnight experience, Captain Mike Burt will take you and your group of up to 6 offshore fishing for Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Marlin and Swordfish. The Pumpin' Hard is a 58' Blackwell Boatworks Custom Carolina Sportfish with all the comforts of home and one of the largest cockpits and in-deck fish boxes in the fleet!
Free Movies on the Beach
Movies aren't just for rainy days at the beach. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (all Summer long), bring the whole family to enjoy a FREE feature movie! In addition to the main event there will be music and entertainment with family friendly yard games like corn hole, ladder ball, spikeball, and large connect four. Once it gets dark, movies will be shown on a gigantic screen right on the beach! Check the movie schedule here.
Drone Shows
Experience Ocean City’s new drone shows located on the beach at 27th Street on Thursday evenings (following a beach dance party) and uptown at Northside Park on Sunday evenings following Sundaes in the Park!
Assateague Island
Assateague is one of the most magical places on the East Coast! If you like to camp or just want to visit a beautiful beach for the day, check out Assateague State Park or neighboring Assateague National Park. If you're lucky, you may see wild ponies roaming the dunes or having a swim.
While you're there, don't miss the Assateague Surf Cafe/Shop. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat or just do a little shopping at this adorable surf shop.
Where To Eat?
Ocean 13: Although they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee. It was the breakfast menu we found most intriguing! With sweet and savory options, you won't be disappointed.
Braddah Barney's: Asian Fusion dine in/carry out in West OC with a rare 5 star Facebook rating!
Shotti’s Point: Recently reopened after a renovation, Shotti's Point offers a unique take on bar fare. You can also check an abridged menu at their new boardwalk cafe.
Pickles Pub: Pub fare, craft beer on tap, live music, and a game room equip with pool tables and foos ball make Pickles Pub a favorite hangout for locals for over 20 years. It is also apparently the home of the original Pickle Shot, but we're not vouching for that!
Coconuts Beach Bar: A trip to OC isn't complete without a Crush! At Coconuts, their Crush Bar is right on the beach!
Bad Monkey: With 2 locations, Bad Monkey Bar & Grill features breakfast, lunch and dinner and the best happy hour at the beach. They also have over 40 craft beers in cans, bottles and draft.
Full Moon Saloon: This is where the locals go for amazing seafood! Several reviews touted the jumbo lump crab cakes. So you know we're in!
Smokers BBQ: Known for its on-site, real wood smoking of pork, beef, chicken and fish, as well as numerous homemade side dishes with a southern flare. Besides barbecue and ribs, the menu includes fried chicken, catfish, meatloaf, smoked tuna, and homemade banana puddin'. Family run and family friendly, Smoker's BBQ Pit provides a casual atmosphere with simple outside porch seating.
Shrimp Boat: Celebrating their 32nd year selling the freshest shrimp (and seafood) you can buy. This means head-on shrimp, because they keep juices inside for the best possible flavor. In addition to great happy hour specials, from 11am-3pm every Monday - Friday get crabs for $1.75 apiece. There is no limit on how many you can order and if you arrive by 3pm you can keep ordering as long as you want!
Crabs To Go: Don't be fooled by the name. You can carry out OR dine in at Crabs To Go and they offer a full menu including steamed shrimp, steamed clams, homemade crab cakes. Crabs To Go credits their reputation for selling the tastiest crabs to their Choptank River crabs — the heaviest, fattest, and sweetest crabs on the Shore— steamed to order!
Breweries:
Burley Oak Brewery: Beer fans will love visiting the tap room of this craft brewery in the adorable town of Berlin, Maryland. They have about 20 beers on draft and a walk-up taqueria from 12-6pm. After that, you're welcome to bring your own food. Check their website for live music and other events.
Sinepuxent Brewing Co.: The tasting room—located on the Sinepuxent working farm— features farmhouse ales using their strawberries, blueberries, apples as well as grains from across the mid-Atlantic region. Family activities include goat feeding, cornhole as well as access to our popular acai bowls, juices and smoothies from Pablo's Bowls.
Have fun and and enjoy the sun and surf! Let us know if you find any great hidden spots—or great crab cakes along your way!
Check out our other daytrips: