A Walk On The Boardwalk
Experience a Feast for the Senses on Ocean City's Charming Promenade

Imagine the smell of fries and the sea, the feel of ocean spray on your skin and the melody of a carousel. The senses truly come alive on Ocean City's world-famous Boardwalk, where vacationers have come to "walk the boards" for more than a hundred years.

Experiencing the sights, sounds and scents of the Boardwalk is as simple as an afternoon stroll. So let yourself feel the nostalgia for days gone by as you walk by turn-of-the-century buildings, old-fashioned amusements, modern shops and new attractions. Stop in the many darling souvenir stores, eat some ice cream, and watch as excited children board a ride or scatter down to the surf. Fun, wholesome and downright exciting, the Ocean City Boardwalk is one of America's most cherished attractions.

But don't take our word for it. Ask the experts—travel aficionados from the Travel Channel has named Ocean City one of the "Best American Boardwalks," and USA Today added it to its list of the "Top 10 Great Boardwalks." So take it from the experts, or just experience it for yourself by enjoying a stroll down our charming oceanfront jewel.

History
The Ocean City Boardwalk actually dates all the way back to 1902. At the time, Ocean City was just becoming a popular seaside destination, with a few hotels scattered around and a new amusement park called Trimper's in the works. (Sound familiar?) Area hotel owners wanted an easier way for their guests to get around, so they constructed a wooden walkway, which could be rolled up and stored during high tide and the winter months. In 1910, a permanent walkway was built, running about five blocks. It just continued to grow—by the 1920s, the boardwalk was expanded to 15 blocks.

While a storm tore apart the original promenade in March of 1962, the present boardwalk was built shortly after. Since then, more and more attractions and hotels have been built. However, the Ocean City Boardwalk has still retained the ambiance of the early 1900s when women wore dresses and men wore suits just to meander down the "boards" to another hotel. Today, the boardwalk extends to 27th Street, spanning three whole miles.

Many historical structures from Ocean City's earliest days still remain Boardwalk hot spots, including the pier building at the southern end of the Boardwalk near the Inlet, circa 1926. Often the center of activity, the neo-classical building is surrounded by popular attractions, stores, restaurants and more. Check out the 1902 carousel at Trimper's, one of the oldest fixtures on the boardwalk. In operation since 1912, it is the country's oldest continuously operating carousel.

The inlet area also features dozens of shops, restaurants, attractions, food stands and arcades. It is probably one of the most bustling areas of Ocean City, full of activity day and night. But the pier building isn't the only historic structure still standing amid all the new activity. The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum dates all the way back to 1878, when the first station was built on the dunes at the northern edge of the beach. The station you see now actually dates back to 1891, when a new and bigger building was constructed in front of the earlier structure. The whole complex was actually moved in 1977 to its present location overlooking the inlet.

There is no telling the countless lives and vessels in distress that the Life-Saving Service has saved or helped throughout its long history in Ocean City. The brave service members from those early days, called "surfmen," were revered in the community and have been an integral part of Ocean City's history and development. Pay homage to their legacy by visiting the museum, which features exhibits and memorabilia from Ocean City's past, including several relics of the Boardwalk's glory days. Don't miss the infamous Laughing Sal, a bygone attraction that may actually scare and amuse you at the same time. Vintage souvenirs, Ocean City's first surfboard and old-fashioned swimsuits are also highlights of the collection.

Another historic building near the inlet and pier is the Atlantic Hotel, established in 1874. As one of the first hotels to offer accommodations to the public, the Atlantic Hotel has been a defining part of Ocean City since its early days as a quiet beach destination. Unfortunately, the original Victorian-style hotel burned down in 1925, and it was then that the current three-story building was erected. Additions and improvements to the original façade have been made throughout the years, but the historic building still stands as one of Ocean City's oldest structures.

Further down the Boardwalk, you'll come across several other historic hotels, and many of them have remained family-owned and operated since the early 1900s. This is a popular theme for dozens of local businesses—families feel a great deal of pride and tradition in operating their Ocean City establishment and want to continue the city's legacy as a family-friendly beach destination.

Today, watching as kids run from arcade to arcade, from rollercoaster to museum, it seems as though the legacy has stayed. The Boardwalk is still a place adored by children, cherished by adults and definitely enjoyed by all.

5 Ways To Experience the Boardwalk
• Stroll, walk, saunter or march—however you do it, a simple and destination-less walk down the Boardwalk is a quintessential Ocean City pastime. Stop in the many unique shops, grab some ice cream or candy, ride a rollercoaster and simply enjoy the bustling and colorful atmosphere framed against the serene Atlantic Ocean.
• Ride your bike down the empty promenade in the early morning hours before the beach crowds have arrived. The cool breeze and quiet beaches supply the perfect start to another great day in Ocean City.
• Hop on the Boardwalk Tram, which runs from the Inlet to 27th Street and stops anywhere in between. Use it to get from one place to another, or just sit back and enjoy and take in the sights of the Boardwalk on a leisurely ride.
• Grab some good Boardwalk food and take a seat on a bench overlooking the ocean or the inlet. Do some people watching as you indulge in delicious fries, crab cakes and saltwater taffy.
• Eat at an oceanfront restaurant directly on the Boardwalk. Enjoy the sounds of the surf, the diverse crowd and the whole Boardwalk experience as you lounge and enjoy cool drinks and delicious seafood.

Boardwalk Rules
• No animals allowed between May 1 and September 30.
• No skateboards allowed anytime.
• Bicycles and rollerblades are allowed until only 11 a.m. during the summer and anytime from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day.
• Surfing is permitted on two surfing beaches announced daily on local radio stations.
• Beach Patrol Guards are on duty between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily for the duration of the summer.