MARYLAND - If you say you are going to the "Eastern Shore" in Maryland, most people assume you mean one thing: Ocean City. And don't get me wrong—Thrasher's Fries and a bucket of Fisher’s Popcorn are Maryland traditions. But Ocean City is also high-rise condos, screaming teenagers, $40 parking lots, and traffic on Route 50 that can ruin your entire weekend.
But just 15 minutes inland, there is a town that feels like it exists in a different century. It is the antidote to the neon chaos of the boardwalk, and while tourists flock to the beach, locals are quietly heading here for dinner and peace.
Skip the high-rises. This year, head to "America's Coolest Small Town": Berlin.
The "Anti-Tourist Trap": Berlin, MD
Population: ~4,800 Vibe: A Victorian movie set (literally).
While Ocean City is all about plastic souvenirs and loud music, Berlin is red brick, antique glass, and porches. It is so picturesque that Hollywood filmed both Runaway Bride and Tuck Everlasting here.
It doesn’t have a boardwalk. Instead, it has Main Street, a National Register Historic District where the buildings date back to the 19th century and the pace is aggressively slow. It feels like the Maryland of 100 years ago, preserved in amber.
Why Locals Go Here Instead
The real magic of Berlin is its location. It is the perfect "base camp." You are close enough to the ocean to smell the salt air, but far enough away to avoid the noise.
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The Escape: When the beach gets too hot or crowded at 2:00 PM, locals drive 10 miles west to Berlin to cool off in the shade of the Sycamore trees.
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The Backyard: You are minutes away from Assateague Island National Seashore. While tourists fight for parking at the main Ocean City inlet, you can slip into the park via the Verrazano Bridge entrance to see the wild horses and untouched dunes without the commercial clutter.
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The Arts: Unlike the t-shirt shops of the coast, Berlin is packed with art galleries, glass blowers, and antique shops that actually sell history, not kitsch.
Affordable Luxury: How to Do It Right
Berlin offers a sophisticated weekend for significantly less than a beachfront condo.
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Stay: The Atlantic Hotel. This is the crown jewel of the town. Built in 1895, it sits right in the center of Main Street. You can sip a cocktail on the massive front porch and watch the world go by. It feels like stepping into a Southern novel.
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Eat: Skip the overpriced buffets. Go to The Blacksmith for farm-to-table food that highlights local seafood without the deep fryer. Or, grab a scoop at Island Creamery, often ranked among the best ice cream spots in the entire country (and the line is shorter here than at their Chincoteague location).
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Do: Visit the Mermaid Museum (yes, it’s real and surprisingly fascinating) or simply grab a coffee at On What Grounds? and sit on a bench. The activity here isn't "doing"; it's "being."
The Local Secret
If you visit in the summer, you get the lush greenery, but the real secret is November/December. While Ocean City turns into a ghost town in the off-season, Berlin turns into a Victorian Christmas card. The town goes all out with lights, carriage rides, and holiday markets. It is the cozy, fire-lit winter escape that the rest of the state forgets exists.
The Bottom Line: If you want neon lights and mini-golf, go to Ocean City. If you want to fall in love with Maryland again, go to Berlin.
