Inlet Park offers opportunities for easygoing recreation at the southernmost point of the Ocean City peninsula. From ocean views to public art and shopping, there’s plenty to do here on a non-beach day. Schedule time to discover Inlet Park when visiting the many attractions of Downtown Ocean City.
The narrow park runs along the seafront and has benches to sit on and give your legs a well-earned rest. Gaze over the shimmering Atlantic waters to the northern tip of Assateague Island. Read interpretive signs that give information about the area and pay a quarter to use binoculars. The eastern end of the park’s boardwalk converges with a rocky breakwater, from where fishers cast lines and search for crabs.
Look for the 20-feet (6-meter) tall wood-carved totem pole called Nanticoke (aka Inlet Indian) by Peter Wolf Toth. It portrays a member of the Assateague tribe, who were once part of the Nanticoke people. Toth created the sculpture as part of his Trail of Whispering Giants. Inspired by indigenous groups, the trail features at least one sculpture in each U.S. state.
Running parallel to the inlet and at the southern point of the Ocean City Boardwalk is The Inlet Village. Browse a collection of clothing, handicraft and souvenir shops housed inside colorful clapboard buildings. Find a window seat at one of the restaurants for hearty pub meals and seafood dishes with ocean vistas.
Another interesting thing to do while here is to visit the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Learn about local life-saving missions, see artifacts recovered from shipwrecks and look for sea creatures in a small aquarium. The museum opens daily from May to October and on weekends only throughout the rest of the year.
Inlet Park is located a short walk from several major attractions in Downtown Ocean City. Among them are the Jolly Roger at the Pier fairground and Marty’s Playland amusement arcade. There’s free parking at The Inlet Village while beachfront parking is available for a fee.
