A vacation in Ocean City is sure to be filled with many beautiful adventures, including days at the beach and nights at the Greene Turtle, and of course, all the comfortable adventures you will enjoy at home in our Coastal Resort Rentals sanctuaries. As a matter of fact, we suspect that your bucket list is nearly full with the list of everything you know you want to do, but what about the unexpected adventures you can experience here? The things you didn’t know existed won’t change your excitement over your plans, but this list of five unexpected things you can do during your stay in Ocean City will certainly enhance the adventure you may have waited a lifetime to experience!
Take a Ride on the 1912 Herschell-Spillman Carousel, 730 S Atlantic Avenue
A ride on a carousel has been a quintessential childhood experience for almost 200 years, although the first carousel is known to have been built even further back in 6th century Byzantium. The golden years of carousels, however, lasted from the early 1800s through about 1930, when the creatures that thrilled children were hand carved and hand painted, and the Herschell-Spillman Carousel will give your children the opportunity to discover the magic of those wonderful times. The “Pride of the Boardwalk” located inside a pavilion at Trimper’s Rides of Ocean City (another EXPECTED adventure that is probably on your list) was one of two built in that year, but the second one which was located at Coney Island burned to the ground, leaving this beautiful and colorful carousel as a testament to early innovation and creativity and making it our first unexpected adventure on our list.
Assateague Island Ponies
If you are a female of a certain generation, chances are you read the book Misty of Chincoteague, a story of a beautiful wild pony born on Assateague Island and rounded up in the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim to become a much beloved pet for the Beebe family in the 1940s. And if you have read that book, the odds that you will be thrilled to discover that the book was based on a true story, and you can view the descendants of Misty living on in the wild on this uninhabited (by humans) island. If you visit on the last consecutive Wednesday in July, you too can experience the wonders of the Chincoteague Pony Swim, the round up of ponies swimming from Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteague Island, celebrating its 100th anniversary this summer! Even if you haven’t read the book, however, this is an adventure we sincerely believe you will never forget and highly recommend adding it to your bucket list, planning a return visit if you can’t swing a July vacation in 2025.
The Mermaid Museum, 4 Jefferson Street in Berlin, Maryland
The earliest mention of mermaids dates back to 1000 BC in Assyria with a tale of mermaid and human falling in love (the precursor to the Little Mermaid), with subsequent mentions all relating to fairy tales and myths. It is also believed that sailors on extended voyages believed in mermaids to the point that they mistook manatees for the whimsical creatures, something that certainly gives us pause, when you think about how a manatee looks. The Mermaid Museum in nearby Berlin delves into the myths and fairy tales, and even offers artifacts that include scales, hair, and mails reputed to be gathered from real life mermaids. And whether you believe or don’t believe, a visit to the Mermaid Museum is sure to create a memory you will cherish forever adding a whimsical element to your Maryland getaway.
The Kite Loft, 511 Boardwalk
A windy day on the beaches of Ocean City offers the opportunity to engage in the most magical of activities and even as “Go Fly a Kite” has become known as an insult in real life, in our hometown, it is an exciting suggestion that will lead you to the doorstep of the Kite Loft on the Boardwalk! Offering a colorful and unique selection of kites, including single line and stunt or power kites, this typically child adventure will still thrill the adult in your life. Additionally, the Kite Loft sponsors two different kite festivals each year, one in April and one in September, featuring games, candy, races, and the opportunity to participate as everyone is invited to join in on the fun!
Unexpectedly Comfortable and at Home
The realty in vacation rental world is that style often trumps comfort, but when you choose one of our Coastal Resort Rentals retreat, you will discover that both exist hand in hand. Feeling at home when you are far from your own home is an experience we want all our guests to know. Reserve your favorite Maryland sanctuary today!
