8 Best Things to Do in Berlin, MD

July 1, 2020 - Updated

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Berlin is located just minutes from the lively boardwalk attractions of Ocean City, Maryland, offering a quieter alternative to the oceanfront district's hustle and bustle. The city is best known as the primary filming location for the feature film Runaway Bride, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Visitors can stroll through the city's quaint downtown district, which is preserved on the National Register of Historic Places, and peruse lovely art galleries, gift stores, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Nearby, the Ocean Downs racetrack is home to a 24/7 casino featuring more than 900 slot machines, video games, and table games at all play and payout levels.

1.Main Street Berlin

Main Street Berlin is Berlin's 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.DiFebo's Restaurant Berlin

DiFebo's Restaurant Berlin is a charming chef-inspired pizza joint in Berlin, also offering locations in nearby Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach. The restaurant is known for its award-winning pizza varieties, which are served up alongside a selection of famous family-recipe homemade pastas, health-conscious salads, and housemade desserts. Diners can choose from artisanal pizza selections like fried eggplant and ricotta pizza, quattro formaggio pizza, and fig and gorgonzola pizza with prosciutto and balsamic reduction. Italian-inspired main courses include classics like veal parmesan and eggplant Toscano paired with delicious house specialties like chianti-braised short ribs and pesto-crusted salmon with lemon jam risotto.

104 N Main St, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-629-0550

8.Main Street Enchanted Tea and Lunch Room

Main Street Enchanted Tea and Lunch Room is a delightful full-service tea room in historic downtown Berlin, located adjacent to the beautiful Hotel Atlantic. The gorgeously-decorated tea room showcases antique tapestries and whimsical artwork in its lovely dining space, serving up full lunch and afternoon tea menu options each afternoon. Owner Sherry Gamble presents all meals in a lovely formal setting, complete with silver-plated tea spoons and real linen napkins. Over four dozen tea selections are offered daily, including organic and decaf options. Diners can choose from formal afternoon high tea presentations, which showcase three-tiered trays of tea sandwiches, sweets, and scones, or enjoy informal lunch specials with a la carte options.

7 S Main St, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-4000