Ocean view from benches on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, August, 2016

On vacation this year in Ocean City, I had a wonderful time on my first visit to this 10 mile long ocean coastline with its 2 1/4 mile boardwalk which includes an amusement park at its southern end. The boardwalk goes from the Inlet to 27th Street, with several named blocks at the lower end. I really love walking along an oceanside boardwalk. There is a trolley in the summer which can take you from the busy end at the lower numbered streets to the quieter higher numbered blocks where most of the hotels and condos are located. Walking toward the Inlet, I looked forward to my ride on the large iconic ferris wheel that loomed high above the pier.

Left: Nighttime view of amusements, beach and sand sculptures in Ocean City, Md., August 2016.
Right: Jolly Roger at the Pier ferris wheel at the Inlet, Ocean City, Md.

I knew the views would be great and they really were. I was a bit anxious as we climbed slowly to the top position and found myself gripping the pole in the center of the seat, but the slow pace and ocean breezes calmed me down long enough for me to snap a few photos with my phone. I could see the long northward view of the coastline. On the south side I had a bird's eye view of the rides, the Inlet and Assateague Island.

Left: Looking north from the ferris wheel at the Inlet, Ocean City, Md.
Right: Looking south from the ferris wheel toward the Inlet and Assateague Island

The boardwalk was busy with visitors enjoying the ice cream, cotton candy, fried dough and other goodies. I enjoyed a soft serve vanilla ice cream cone from Dumser's Dairyland while meandering by the booths and arcade game storefronts that reminded me of pleasant memories of my childhood growing up near the beach and a smaller version of this Ocean City boardwalk scene. Trimper's Rides and Jolly Roger Amusements at the Pier offered a varied collection of rides for all ages plus games.

Left: Playland arcade at the Inlet, Ocean City, Md.
Right Top: Concessions at the boardwalk in Ocean City, Md.
Right Bottom: Ocean Gallery on the boardwalk, Ocean City, Md.

Lazily walking along, I passed many shops right on the boardwalk. These included Sassy Beachwear, Malibu's Surf Shop, Ocean Gallery and Souvenir City. The shops sell everything from beach accessories to eclectic artwork to wooden boxes adorned with pictures of the beloved pony featured in the children's story, Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. I couldn't help but notice the large number of Candy Kitchen shops in Ocean City. I could feel my teeth shaking in fear of next month's dentist checkup.

Left Top: Sassy Beachwear on the boardwalk at Ocean City, Md.
Left Bottom: Wooden boxes at Souvenir City
Right Top: Candy Kitchen on the boardwalk
Right Bottom: Malibu's Surf Shop, Ocean City boardwalk, Md.

Fortunately I was in for a visual treat when on the sand I saw the results of the Third Annual Sandfest, a sand castle building contest held from August 22-28 on the beach along the boardwalk from North Division St. to 4th St. There were amazing sculptures of diverse themes, including pop culture sayings, the 2016 Olympics, religious themes, an armed forces tribute, Egyptian pyramids, dinosaurs and fairytale characters. During the day, there were also demonstrations, classes, and contests.

Sand Sculpture during Sandfest, 2016, Ocean City, Maryland

The highlight of the trip for me was eating a delicious seafood entree at Harrison's Harbor Watch Seafood Restaurant from an ocean view booth looking out at the Inlet and Assateague Island.

Left: View of Inlet from Harrison's Harbor Watch Seafood Restaurant, Ocean City, Md.
Right Top: Harrison's Harbor Watch Seafood Restaurant & Raw Bar
Right Bottom: Binoculars at Inlet Park, Ocean City, Md.

The famous wild horses of Assateague seemed to make an appearance just for me on the distant beach, visible from here and more close up through public binoculars at Inlet Park just outside the restaurant. Then our server asked if I saw the dolphins. They bobbed up and down in the Inlet. You can just barely see the horses on the distant beach in the center and a dolphin to the right and in front of the red buoy in the photo below.

View of the Inlet and Assateague Island from the park, Ocean City, Maryland

I gratefully took in the perfect summertime evening in Ocean City, Maryland. This was a fun side trip on my way to Washington, D.C., but there's plenty to do during the summer in Ocean City for a longer vacation. There's shopping, seafood, beachfront accommodations, beautiful ocean views and much more. I hope to be back.

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