Berlin, Maryland: A Quaint Town with Big Personality

1. Main Street Berlin

Main Street Berlin is a lively historic downtown district, home to more than 60 local retail stores, dining destinations, cafes, antique stores, and bakeries. The lovely street has been designated as a Maryland Main Street Community, located just minutes from the vibrant attractions of Ocean City.

Visitors can peruse the street's charming shopping and dining destinations throughout the year with maps provided at the district's Welcome Center, open to the public seven days a week.

Four dozen structures within the district are preserved on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can also explore the local history exhibits of the Taylor House Museum or stroll through the district's art galleries during the district's Second Friday Art Stroll events.

2. Assateague State Park

Assateague State Park is a lovely public recreation area in Worcester County, located along the northern edge of Assateague Island. As Maryland's only oceanfront park, the park offers year-round opportunities for Atlantic Ocean swimming, surfing, fishing, and beachcombing throughout the year along its gorgeous two-mile public beachfront.

It was established in 1956 by Maryland's Board of Public Works and has hosted annual New Year's Day beach walks for the nearby Berlin community since 1970.

Visitors can explore secluded coves within Sinepuxent Bay via rental canoe or kayak or observe native wildlife throughout the park, including feral horse populations on the island. The 18th-century Rackliffe House coastal plantation has been fully restored to its historic glory, open for living history tours showcasing exhibits connected to the Coastal Maryland Heritage Center.

6915 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-2918

3. Ocean Downs Casino

Ocean Downs Casino is a lively full-service casino located at the harness racing track of the same name, originally opened to the public in 1949 and overseen by the Churchill Downs, Inc. racing association.

Since 2008, the racetrack has been home to a $45 million casino floor, open to the public 24/7 throughout the year. More than 900 slot machines range in game from pennies up through $25, complemented by video, reel, and electronic game favorites like poker and blackjack.

Open live game tables feature player favorites like Mississippi Stud Progressive and Texas Hold'Em. A lively casino bar serves up drinks until 4:00am, while onsite restaurant Poseidon's Pub serves clever craft bar fare accompanied by local brewery selections.

10218 Racetrack Rd, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-0600

4. The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum preserves the historic home of the same name, which was constructed in 1832 for Isaac Covington, a local plantation owner and West Indies trader. The home's namesake and most famed occupant, Calvin B. Taylor, founded the Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company and lived in the residence until 1932. Today, the home has been restored to its early 19th-century appearance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, operated as a living history home museum throughout the year. Visitors can view exhibits of local memorabilia and antiques within the home's west wing, which has been converted into a gallery space. Special events are hosted at the museum throughout the year, including holiday events during the winter months.

208 N Main St, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-1019

5. Island Creamery

Island Creamery is a local Maryland favorite ice cream parlor chain, serving up delicious homemade ice cream flavors crafted with local farm ingredients since 1975. The chain operates three locations in the coastal Maryland and Virginia areas today, including a location in Berlin just minutes from downtown Ocean City. Creative ice cream flavors take inspiration from locally-grown fruits and produce, showcased in favorites like brandy-soaked cherries jubilee, black raspberry, and rum raisin. Other house specialty flavors include Bourbon Caramel Crunch, Birthday Cake, espresso-bean-infused Java Jolt, and peanut butter cup-infused Pony Tracks. All ice cream is produced in small batches and served up in housemade secret recipe waffle cones.

120 N Main St, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-973-2839

6. The Assateague Crab House

The Assateague Crab House is a delightful family-operated restaurant that has been renowned for its delicious local seafood and shellfish dishes since 1985. The nautical-themed restaurant showcases the culinary skills of the VanFossen family, crafting classic dishes prepared with ingredients sourced from top local seafood suppliers. Family-style menus feature favorites like Maryland jumbo lump crab cakes, crabmeat-stuffed flounder, crab Imperial, and seafood platters piled high with favorites like shrimp and scallops. Sirloin steaks and St. Louis-style barbecue ribs are also served up, along with shareable appetizer favorites like mac and cheese bites, stuffed mushroom caps, and deep-fried mozzarella sticks.

2656, 7645 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-4330

7. The Mermaid Museum

Those who enjoy myths and legends should not miss the opportunity to visit the magical Mermaid Museum in downtown Berlin. The upstairs museum is located next door to the Atlantic Hotel where it offers all visitors an intriguing glimpse into the myths and legends which surround the topic of mermaids. There is a full wall of plaques documenting dozens of real-life mermaid sightings, and a collection of artifacts dedicated to these beautiful half-fish-half-human sirens, which are rumored to have beckoned many unfortunate seafarers to their death. However, many other people believe that mermaids are the guardians of the oceans and that spotting one is a good omen.

The Mermaid Museum, 4 Jefferson Street, Berlin, MD 21811, 360 648 2224

8. Rackliffe House

Rackliffe House is an historic homestead which dates back to the 1740’s, when it was built to be the home of merchant/planter Captain Charles Rackliffe. The 2-storey house was a very impressive structure back in the day, and its prominence was enhanced by its elevated location overlooking Assateague Island and Sinepuxent Bay. The house has been beautifully preserved and restored and gives visitors a very accurate picture of everyday life in the 1700’s. During the open season visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the house and see costumed docents who bring the “good old days” back to life. Rackliffe House is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursday from mid-May to October.

Rackliffe House, Behind the Visitor’s Center, Assateague Island, Berlin, MD 21811, 410 629 1011

9. Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery

Celebrating the simple pleasures of a bucolic farming lifestyle, Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery offers a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Ocean City Beach and Boardwalk. The winery is located in an historic homestead which has been home to 3 generations of the Mariner family, who currently own and operate the vineyard and winery. Beautifully restored, the historic house has a tasting room where you can enjoy a wine tasting. The first wines on the estate were produced in 2018 and include Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Voignier and a selection of fruit wines. There is also a craft brewery on site.

Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery, 11206 Worcester Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, 410 251 6122