You love Ocean City. So do we! It's the classic Maryland vacation spot -- and we're celebrating the approach of summer by looking at a few cool facts about this special place.
1. Ocean City is the "white marlin capital of the world"
Love sport fishing? Challenge yourself to the White Marlin Open! Ocean City is the unofficial home of all things white marlin, and fisherfolk of all experience levels are welcome to try for the biggest fish. Don't feel like going out and doing all that work? You can still spectate the weigh-ins and cheer for the biggest fish.
2. Thrasher's has only changed hands twice in its 90+ years of existence
History is a big deal in Ocean City, and many of the most famous businesses and locations try to keep things the same from year to year. Take Thrasher's fries, the fries that are famous everyone in Maryland. The shop was opened in 1929 and has only been sold twice -- both times to owners who committed to keeping those fries exactly as they'd always been. So you can bet they'll still be making the same fries you had as a little kid!
3. The carousel at Trimper's is the oldest continually operational carousel in the USA
Speaking of history, there's an incredible legacy behind the carousel at Trimper's! If you're on the Boardwalk, you've probably seen this gorgeous ride that has been entertaining Ocean City visitors for over 100 years. It features more than just horses -- think everything from dragons to ostriches to pigs and frogs, all carved by German artisans. You might even detect the spirit of Joanne Trimper, a member of the Trimper family who loved the white horse with red ribbons and blue sashes. Visitors report smelling her perfume near that particular spot!
4. It's 3,073 miles from Ocean City to Sacramento, California
Road trip! Route 50 is a major east-west highway across the country, and if you start out from Ocean City, you'll end up in Sacramento if you stay the course. There's even a sign as you're crossing the Assawoman Bay that tells you how far away Sacramento lies. But who wants to leave the fun here in OC and drive to California?
5. More than 8 million people visit Ocean City every year!
Only about 7,000 people live in Ocean City year-round. But when the summer season arrives, the population booms! Up to 345,000 people may be in OC during the busy months of June, July, and August -- and becomes second only to Baltimore in terms of population in Maryland.
6. Assateague Island used to be part of Ocean City
Before 1933, what we now know as Assateague Island was connected to Ocean City. But a huge hurricane in 1933 changed all of that! It tore through the area, causing massive destruction and creating the inlet that we now know. As it turns out, the people of Ocean City had wanted an inlet for years, since it would make fishing easier, and their wish had now come true.
