Synonymous with Summer: The Boardwalk
An Ocean City vacation is a one-of-a-kind experience, especially when you delve into the unique offerings of the 2.5-mile Boardwalk. This vibrant stretch combines the charm of a seaside promenade with the thrill of an amusement park.
From the heart-pounding excitement of the roller coaster to the sweet nostalgia of carnival games, the Boardwalk is a diverse and vibrant hub of attractions, each waiting to be discovered and woven into the fabric of your vacation.
Officially known as Atlantic Avenue, the Ocean City Boardwalk is steeped in history. It dates back to 1902 when a group of oceanfront hoteliers constructed a wooden walkway. This early structure, which was rolled up and stored during high tide and winter months, paved the way for the permanent promenade built just eight years later, marking the beginning of a legacy that continues to thrive today.
As the day begins, the Boardwalk slowly comes to life. Early risers can savor the stillness, listening to the gentle waves caressing the shoreline, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Morning is the perfect time to don your running shoes for a jog down the boards or rent a surried bike and take in the magic of a summer morning at the beach.
Feeling hungry? The Boardwalk offers a variety of dining options to cater to every palate. Boardwalk icons like the Brass Balls are known for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a nighttime vibe amongst the movie stars. Originally a small bar established in 1980, they have grown and flourished for 45 years on the more northern end of the boards.
The Dough Roller’s famous buttermilk pancakes are on the griddle. Established in 1980, the well-known pizzeria evolved into a full-service restaurant as it grew, offering many delights at any time of day.
The Golden Plate, now on the corner of 1st Street and the Boards, has served up that “ham, egg, and cheese” for over 50 years. Locals will tell you, “It was our go-to place after a night clubbing.” While the menu has changed over the years to reflect the ever-changing crowd of visitors, the Golden Plate remains a “go-to.”
Brass Balls Saloon
As the day nears noon, bicycles yield to the growing uptick in pedestrian traffic. They are no longer allowed on the Boardwalk.
By noon, the Boardwalk is a bustling hub of beachgoers seeking refreshing drinks and snacks. Many take a break from the sand and explore the family-owned businesses that have lined the Boardwalk for decades.
Boardwalk Notes:
• The Boardwalk is 2.5 miles from the Ocean City inlet to 27th Street.
• The original charge to visit Trimpers Haunted House was just 25 cents when it opened in 1964.
• The rat in the first room of the haunted house has been in the exact location since 1964.
• The iconic Ferris wheel was erected in 1986. It stands 108 feet high, and underwent renovation in 2018.
Some of the iconic businesses opened in...
1893 Trimpers Rides & Amusements
1910 Dolles Candyland
1927(~) Khor Bros
1937 Candy Kitchens
1937 Fisher’s Popcorn
1939 Dumser’s Dairyland
1940(~) Marty’s Playland
1962 Tony’s Pizza
1970 The Golden Plate
1974 Jolly Roger at the Pier
1975 Kite Loft
1975 The Purple Moose Saloon
1980 Brass Balls Saloon
1980 Dough Roller
1996 Park Place Jewelers
These businesses, such as Fisher’s Popcorn, Candy Kitchens, Dolles Candylandand Thrasher’s Fries, have become iconic symbols of the Boardwalk, each with its own unique history and contribution to the area's culture. Unless you have had Thrasher’s fries, you haven’t had fries—that’s all they do. And don’t ask for the ketchup; having them with anything other than apple cider vinegar is a sacrilege. Since 1929, J.T. Thrasher created the carefully guarded recipe, and it’s remained unchanged. We only know that it involves Idaho potatoes and peanut oil. The rest? Not knowing is just fine with us; they taste like no other.
Fisher’s Popcorn debuted on the Boardwalk in 1937, and like so many family businesses, traditional recipes with no deviation are a part of the decades of success. Donald Fisher once told us his secret is that the batches of his products are hand-mixed and made in copper kettles. Fisher’s is legendary in town.
Decisions, decisions. Dumser’s Dairyland or Khor Bros? Dumser’s has been making ice cream since 1939 from Gladys Dumser’s homemade ice cream recipe: cones, milkshakes, and sundaes with all the toppings. Khor Bros serves up frozen custard made from Archie Kohr’s original 1919 recipe that has delighted six generations of Boardwalk visitors. Their trademark phrase is “The taste of premium ice cream with the calories of yogurt.™ Choosing is difficult, so maybe visit both businesses and decide.
There are more decisions to make about sweets. Iconic candy stores call the Boardwalk home, including Candy Kitchens, Dolles Candyland, and Jessica’s Fudge House. Their factories are tucked out of view on the Boardwalk or just blocks away. Fresh is king with these candy companies, each using the finest ingredients and old family recipes. It can be so tough to choose.
1937, Sam Taustin began selling homemade fudge and saltwater taffy on the Boardwalk. Today, Candy Kitchens has taken the “wonderful world of candy” to new heights, and just visiting a store is an experience Willy Wonka would approve of. Of course, they still make their fudge and taffy just as the family did in 1937, and they have expanded to offer a wealth of delightful indulgences.
Dolles Candyland is famous for its saltwater taffy, which is made daily on Wicomico Street. They also offer a wide selection of sweet delicacies, many of which are served within hours of completion.
While you can still find many confections at Jessica’s Fudge House, as their name suggests, they focus on fudge. Their secret, they say, comes from unique kettles that whip the fudge to its signature texture.
Need a break from the heat? Slip into Marty’s Playland. It’s the only air-conditioned arcade offering vintage machines, like skeeball, classic machines like Pac-Man, and a mix of the latest games on the market. Marty’s has delighted both kids and adults since the 1940s.
Did someone say pizza & fries? Tony’s Pizza has been serving up luscious boardwalk pizza since 1962. They also offer a variety of sandwiches and Italian entrees too.
While the Dough Roller is now also famous for its buttermilk pancakes, it all started there with delicious pizza, and there are multiple locations where you can find them on the Boardwalk.
There is also the 65-year-old business, Grotto Pizza. While its roots are in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, their old family recipe has been a welcome addition to the pizza options in town.
After a refreshing lunch, head to Old Time Photos and choose your theme. These professional award-winning photographers create with costume and lens for family photos you will treasure for a lifetime. Photographers here who have been on staff for years love to meet the children and grandchildren of couples they once photographed as young adults—making memories for 47 years.
Check out an airbrushing studio. Josh Smith of Alley Cats Airbrush is a second-generation airbrush artist. He arrived on the Boardwalk at 19 and worked in an airbrush shop for seven years. At that time, he met an incredible artist named “Jersey,” who helped him develop the skills necessary to go out independently. “I began spray paint art as a boardwalk performer and held that title for 10
years while continuing to airbrush in the offseason,” he says. Smith was met with an excellent opportunity in 2022 when he could purchase the airbrush shop he had worked in all those years ago. Alley Cats Airbrush was born in 2022. While it is one of the younger businesses on the boards, its genesis harkens to the same foundations that have built the community: hard work and perseverance.
Smith says, “I get out of bed every morning because I love seeing the eyes of little boys and girls light up as their names are created and colorfully blended onto something that most likely will be their favorite souvenir from their Ocean City vacation.
As the lights turn on in the evening, the Boardwalk comes alive in a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Hear the squeals of delight of small children enjoying rides at Trimpers Rides or perhaps Trimper’s haunted house, which has thrilled both children and adults for a millennium. Street artists can be found along the Boardwalk in the evenings. There are artists, orators, and a variety of performers. You can even find pop culture characters that will delight the children. There are also free family events throughout the year.
In addition to entertaining generations of vacationers, Trimper’s Rides is home to one of less than 150 operating wooden carousels from the “golden age of carousels,” A period in American history when carousels were at the peak of their popularity and artistry. Records indicate that over 4000 carousels could be found throughout the U.S. from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. In 1902, the treasured menagerie carousel was purchased by the Trimpers from the then-well-known Hershel-Spillmen company of New York. Lucky for all of us it was not disguarded in the 1950’s as carousel’s fell out of vogue. Instead, it has been well cared for over the decades, remaining 122 years to the delight of both young and old.
In 1974, Jolly Roger acquired the Pier. Much work was done on construction and preservation to update the property to the Pier we see today. However, entertainment has been provided at that location for over 100 years, including mini golf, billiard tables, a bowling alley, and, by the 1930s, the Pier Ballroom. It was the place to be and be seen. Today, Jolly Roger at the Pier has filled the same area with so much fun that it makes any “must-do” Boardwalk list.
Ready for a party into the night? Visit the Purple Moose Saloon, 108 S. Boardwalk. A tavern has been on that block since 1897, and this famous rock and roll bar will celebrate 50 years in 2025, serving up some of the best libations to enjoy with live music. It’s one of Ocean City’s signature bars.
No Boardwalk visit is complete without a visit to some of the well-known purveyors. Step into the vibrant colors of the Kite Loft, home of the Ocean City Kite Festivals, held in the Spring and Fall of each year.
Visit the Ocean Gallery, adorned with items from all over the world; its facade is recognizable from blocks away. This gallery literally brims with art. Opening its doors in 1964, it’s now a globally-famous Boardwalk attraction. It is truly one of the most recognizable attractions on the Boardwalk.
Explore the treasures at Park Place Jewelers. They have called the Boardwalk home for almost 30 years. Here, you will find a unique selection of quality jewelry, from engagement rings to nautical-inspired custom pieces that will wow your friends back home.
Looking for the perfect T-shirt? Visit MR Ducks; their iconic shirts and gear have been a hallmark on the boards since the early 1980s.
The Boardwalk’s inlet parking lot is home to many signature Ocean City events, including Ocean’s Calling, Country Calling, Sunfest, Springfest, Marlinfest, and more. The area is the heartbeat of Ocean City in almost every sense. It’s an excellent place to relive childhood memories and foods you haven’t tasted for years, or maybe it’s something you do every time you visit Ocean City as you create your own traditions.
