Life in Ocean City moves at a different pace than most of the rest of the world in August, offering visible excitement, an audible hum of vitality, and a stunning beauty that will never be forgotten once witnessed. Offering joy with every new discovery, fun around every corner, and comfort you have always dreamed about in our Coastal Resort Rentals. And because the vacation experience is always more authentic when you live like a local, we have created this guide on what to do in Ocean City in August like the locals do, giving you a vacay you will wish never had to end!
Sunset Park, 700 S Philadelphia Avenue
Don’t get us wrong, we love the boardwalk which has become an iconic part of the Ocean City experience, but sometimes on a beautiful summer day all you really want is some quiet, a beautiful sunset, and a joyful reminder of why you chose this spot to live in, or in your case, for your August vacation. When that need arises and the crowds start to feel a little too crowd-y, heading over to Sunset Park will bring you all we just mentioned and more.
August in Ocean City is one of our warmest months with temperatures hovering in the 80s and only dropping down to the mid-70s after the sun sets, so you may want to walk a little slower, but that’s ok, it just gives you more opportunities to soak in the beauty of your surroundings and to feel the awe of witnessing yet another Maryland sunset. And if you are up to a bit more excitement, Thursday nights this park hosts Sunset Park Party Nights with live entertainment and lots of ways to play.
The Buzzed Word, 1805 Coastal Highway Unit C
The heat of summer always has us looking for ways to stay cool as well as have fun, and The Buzzed Word offers one of those ways. Combining all the wonders of an independent book shop and the deliciousness of natural wines, this bookstore/wine bar always has something going on, and although August is a little quiet on the event front, if you can find a better way to spend a Tuesday afternoon/evening than by reading, sipping, and savoring the cool chill of air conditioning, well, please tell us what that may be, because we want to play too!
Plein Air 2025, August 13 Through August 17, Various Locations
For five days in mid-August, Ocean City gets a little more colorful, a little more artistic, and a lot more beautiful as Plein Air comes to town. Plein Air simply refers to the style of painting outdoors made popular in the 19th century, and as you go about your business of vacationing, you will discover up to 50 professional artists recreating the beauty of harbors, streets, the boardwalk, and marshes with paint and canvas, paintings that will be on sale August 16th should you find something you can’t live without. Also offering a Paint Against the Clock event, to which everyone is invited (sign up at the Art League of Ocean City Art Center’s webpage) on August 17. Offering two hours to paint the downtown area and $650 in prizes, the winners will be selected at the Off-the Easel art sale (1-3PM) while music plays and wine is sipped.
Fish Tales Bar & Grill, 107 Herring Way #22
Fresh seafood, cold beer, and views of Assateague Bay makes Fish Tales one of our favorite places to eat no matter what time of year it is, but especially in August in Ocean City. Popular with locals and tourists since 1983 (that’s over 40 years!), the mood is relaxed, the beverages are refreshing, and a sandbox offers a place for the littles to play as mom and dad sip tropical beverages. (You have to try their Painkilla, made with spiced rum, Coco Lopez, fresh squeezed OJ, pineapple, and nutmeg!) Their menu is a seafood-centric one, offering the best crabs in town and a variety of land lubbers specials for those who believe fish should stay swimming in the sea.
Honorable Mention goes to The Chincoteague Island Pony Swim, July 30 & 31st
We know, we know, this event ends on July 31st and Chincoteague Island is actually in Virginia, about 56 miles away from Ocean City, but this is a really cool event and it is worth mentioning since August begins on a Friday and your August vacation may actually begin in July! Readers of a certain age will remember the Misty of Chincoteague books, but you may not realize they were based on a real tradition and 2025 is the 100th anniversary of an event involving real cowboys driving feral ponies across the Assateague Channel.
Chilling at Home with Coastal Resort Rentals
Air conditioning, ocean views, and comfortable luxury will make your time at home in our seasonal sanctuaries your favorite part of your Ocean City vacation. Reserve your favorite summer retreat today!
