Atlantic Ocean & Southern Eastern Shore Region
No part of our State is more perfect for a family vacation. Explore miles and miles of soft white sand beaches just made for sunbathing, kite flying, and castle building. Or travel through lush marshland on a barrier island perfect for hiking trails, canoe rides, or spotting the world famous wild ponies. Glide through cypress swamps that time forgot, only to emerge into a 19th century artisan’s village complete with museum. If you can pull yourself away from the swamp, stroll along the world famous boardwalk at Ocean City, known as the East Coast’s “Number One Family Resort”. Visit Federal-style and Victorian homes in a leisurely house and garden tour where you can explore our colonial history. At day’s end, when the last golden rays of the sun are setting, sit quietly and watch the graceful skipjacks ply the azure waters that surround this beautiful area. Be sure to take home an ocean memory (or two).
Select an Atlantic Ocean & Southern Eastern Shore County to Explore
Somerset County
Somerset County is located amidst the splendors of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, an area between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic, renowned for its natural charm. This gracious, less frenetic part of the world combines tradition and simplicity of life with the beauty of the untouched countryside. History is ever present and every sunset is a celebration. Mother Nature displays her creativity here. We are blessed with miles of tidal bays and rivers, lush woodlands, smogless skies, and seafood bounty. Somerset is a paradise for hunters, fishermen, photographers, kayakers, and nature lovers. It’s hard to capture the true spirit of Somerset in words. You have to experience it. Trade the sounds of automobile horns for songbirds. Breathe our clean air. Sample our unforgettable seafood. Share stories with our people, who place a high value on friendliness. Experience our culture, our natural beauty, and our past.
Welcome to Somerset County.
We are located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, along the Chesapeake Bay and close to the Atlantic Ocean. With miles of tidal bays, rivers, and lush woodlands, this is nature’s masterpiece, a paradise for outdoor sportsmen, recreationalists, nature lovers, and the ideal backdrop for family entertainment. The area still retains the natural charm of historic port cities and towns. Opportunities abound for fishing and crabbing, hunting, boating, paddling, pedaling, birdwatching, and sightseeing. Dine on fresh seafood and the Maryland State Dessert, Smith Island Cake. Take home a Somerset souvenir from a unique shop. Discover our heritage and history at local attractions, museums and annual events.
Eat & drink.
There is a lot of good food to eat here in Somerset! Choose from a variety of restaurants and eateries or fast food to enjoy a nice sit down meal or grab something to go. Round out your meal with wine and spirits from local businesses. Enjoy the bounty of the area with fresh produce from local farms or take some fresh seafood home with you. Don’t forget dessert! Pick up something sweet, like a slice of Maryland’s State Dessert - Smith Island Cake.
Sweet traditions in Somerset.
This delicious confection has evolved over the years, slowly gaining layers and flavor variations. One thing is for sure. If you are lucky enough to sample a slice, you don’t soon forget it. The traditional Smith Island cake is 8-12 layers of yellow cake with a chocolate fudgy cooked icing. The amount of layers will vary depending on flavor. Cakes using fresh fruit are more likely to slide with too many layers. A favorite in Deal Island, Maryland, the Cream Devil Cake can be found at most special functions on the island from holidays and birthdays to potlucks and picnics. Though the earliest recipe calls for two to three layers of buttermilk chocolate cake with a delicious, decadent cooked frosting, there are a few variations. Some make it into a sheet cake, others a bundt. It’s delicious in any form. Maryland crab cake recipes are as varied as the people who make them, but there are a few hard and fast rules that are followed. First, double check your crab meat for shell. Triple check if you think it will help. Second, you want just enough binder to help the crab stick together. Excess filler is frowned upon.
Explore.
Take the time to explore the byways and trails in Somerset. Dip your toes in the Chesapeake Bay at one of our beaches. Pedal through scenic back roads. Bring your binoculars for some incredible birding opportunities. Pitch a tent, park your RV, or rent a cabin at one of our campgrounds. Get out on the bay and kayak the water trails with a boat rental or bring your own. Catch dinner with one of our knowledgeable charter fishing captains or toss a line in from land. Take a cruise to the islands. Launch your own craft at one of our ramps and marinas. Grab your clubs and hit a few balls at the driving range or golf all 18 holes at Great Hope Golf Course. Choose your own adventure.
Wicomico County
Located perfectly between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, Wicomico County offers you the chance to experience outdoor adventures, Eastern Shore food, culture and history - all while enjoying great festivals and a variety of accommodations to suit your needs.
Eat and drink.
Freshness and flavor – that’s how dining on Maryland’s Eastern Shore can be described. With a strong foundation in farming, fishing and crabbing, many area restaurants take pride in sourcing their ingredients locally. Wicomico County’s breweries and winery offer a variety of style and personality, allowing for a wide selection that is guaranteed to satisfy even the most unique palate.
Festivals and events.
Wicomico County plays host to several homegrown events and festivals throughout the year. From basketball fans to craft beer enthusiasts to wine connoisseurs, our annual events offer something for everyone. When planning your next getaway to the Eastern Shore, we invite you to join us!
Attractions.
Whether you’re looking to engage with history, spend time with the family or enjoy the arts, Wicomico County has something for you. On a beautiful day, walk through the free Salisbury Zoo, where you can see an Andean bear, monkeys, flamingoes and more. Head to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and see all kinds of interesting exhibits. Cheer for the home team – the Delmarva Shorebirds, a Class A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. There’s history to be found throughout the County. Take a ride on the oldest continuously operating ferry in the U.S. – the Whitehaven Ferry. Step back in time at Poplar Hill Mansion or Pemberton Historical Park.
Outdoors.
On land, Wicomico County is home to over 1,500 acres of parks and trails where visitors can hike, bike, play, relax, go birding and explore the area’s natural beauty. Located in the middle of the Atlantic flyway, Wicomico County also offers some of the best waterfowl hunting you can find. The Chesapeake Forest Lands contain over 200 properties encompassing almost 68,000 acres, which sprawl across Maryland’s lower Eastern Shore. Nearly 18,000 acres reside in Wicomico County. On the water, the Wicomico and Nanticoke rivers course through Wicomico County, emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. Dozens of other creeks, streams, inlets and marshes lace through the land, providing visitors with over 1,000 miles of waterways to explore. Visitors can easily access the bay and tributaries for fishing, crabbing, clamming, boating, paddling and exploring.
Worcester County
From forest to city and everything in between, welcome to Worcester County, home of Maryland’s Beach and Beyond.
Naturally cool.
Discover Maryland’s only seaside offering the beauty of Assateague Island National Seashore and its wild horses. Explore authentic main street communities and the thrill of Ocean City. Experience serene nature sites, museums and heritage areas rich with local history, and our top rated boardwalk brimming with excitement and picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Explore our wonderful towns.
Take a moment to browse through the excitement and adventure that each of our towns has to offer – from the rivers, to the dunes, and everything in between, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Worcester County. You can find your next adventure with our water and bike trails; dive into the rich history through our many Heritage Sites; traverse our nature, bike, sand and water trails; and explore all the wonders both old and new in our museums.
A party, a show, a game, a stroll. Come play with us.
Sunshine, rain and in between, check out the many opportunities for some family fun in Worcester County! We are also Maryland’s only seaside county, so we are naturally known for our amazing beaches. Suff, fish, sunbathe, and build sandcastlees with us! At night, relax, unwind, party and be merry. When the sun goes down, we’ve got it!
Eat and drink.
Satisfy your appetite with our wide variety of local offerings. Pick your Maryland blue crabs on our bayfront decks, or celebrate your special occasions with a fine dining experience. Worcester County has many different places perfecting the craft of beer, wine, and spirits. Come enjoy them with us! You can also source the freshest locally grown ingredients from our farmers markets througout the county, and enjoy the best in farm-to-table (or dock-to-plate!) dining. We even offer highly immersive foodie tours!