Every destination has places to visit. What makes Maryland's Coast different are the people behind them.
Long before you take home a bucket of fries, sip a locally brewed beer, paddle a quiet creek, or admire a piece of handmade art, someone in Worcester County, Maryland helped create that experience. They're boat builders, bakers, brewers, artists, coffee roasters, surfboard shapers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs. Some are carrying on family traditions that span generations. Others are building something entirely new.
Together, they're helping shape the character of Maryland's Coast, one handcrafted product, family recipe, and local business at a time.
Built by the Water
Life on Maryland's Coast has always revolved around the water, and many of the region's most recognizable businesses wouldn't exist anywhere else.
In West Ocean City, Duffie Boatworks builds custom sportfishing boats designed for serious anglers. Nearby, Hooked Optics creates polarized sunglasses inspired by life on the water, helping fishermen and boaters see more clearly whether they're chasing marlin offshore or casting in the back bays.
Every August, that connection takes center stage during the White Marlin Open, the world's largest billfish tournament. While spectators see the excitement at the scales, the tournament also shines a spotlight on the local businesses that support Maryland's fishing heritage, from boat builders and marine services to gear designers and waterfront restaurants.
The water supports another tradition as well. Oyster growers like Bay Landing Shellfish Co. and Coastal Maryland Oyster Company are cultivating fresh local oysters while helping restore the bay's ecosystem. Visitors who want to experience those same waterways can explore them by kayak or paddleboard with Assateague Outfitters, where the scenery that inspires so many local businesses becomes part of the adventure.
A Coast Built on Surf and Skate
Ocean City's connection to the water extends well beyond fishing.
For generations, surfing and skateboarding have been woven into the town's identity.
Local surfboard shaper Jon Ashton still crafts boards by hand in Ocean City, MD, carrying on a tradition that reflects the area's laid-back surf culture. His boards, available through Malibu's Surf Shop, are built for riders who appreciate craftsmanship as much as the ride itself.
The story continues just a few miles away with the Truitt family. In 1974, Dorsey Truitt founded Atlantic Skates, recognized as the world's first skateboard distributor. Today, his son Patrick manufactures skateboards in Ocean City under brands including Brand-X, Toxic, BBC, and Kryptonics, continuing a family legacy that helped shape the sport.
Just blocks away, Ocean Bowl, one of the oldest continuously operating municipal skateparks in the country, welcomes new generations of skaters every year. It's another reminder that some of Ocean City's most interesting stories happen well beyond the beach.
Crafted to Sip
If your travels tend to revolve around finding great local food and drinks, Maryland's Coast has quietly built an impressive craft beverage scene.
Start the morning with a cup from Cast 26 Coffee, a small-batch roaster whose beans are enjoyed under its own label and served by other local businesses throughout the region.
Later in the day, explore breweries like Burley Oak Brewing Company, Berlin Beer Company, Sinepuxent Brewing Company, Fin City Brewing Company, and Cypress Roots Brewing Company, each adding its own flavor to Worcester County's growing craft beer community.
Wine lovers can stop by Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery, while spirit enthusiasts can sample bottles from Forgotten 50 Distilling and Seacrets Distilling Company. Looking for something a little different? Real Raw Organics produces Worcester County's only locally crafted kombucha.
And then there's Hoop Tea. What began as a local idea in Ocean City has grown into a nationally recognized brand found across the country. It's proof that some of Maryland's Coast's biggest success stories begin right here at home.
Flavors Worth Coming Back For
Some vacation traditions start with a place. Others start with a bite.
For many visitors, no trip feels complete without a bucket of Thrasher's French Fries, a stop at Dolle's Candyland, or taking home a tin of Fisher's Popcorn.
Others make a point to visit Fractured Prune for a made-to-order donut, cool off with homemade ice cream from Chesapeake Bay Farms, drizzle local honey from Baybees Honey into their morning tea, or finally try Berlin's famous Peach Dumpling at Baked Dessert Cafe.
Ask longtime visitors about their favorite Maryland's Coast tradition, and chances are one of these names comes up.
Handmade with a Sense of Place
Some souvenirs could come from anywhere. These couldn't.
Glass artist Jeff Auxer creates one-of-a-kind works inspired by the coast, while Beach Memories transforms real Ocean City sand into handcrafted jewelry, giving visitors a tangible reminder of time spent by the ocean.
Just down the road in Berlin, Honey Water hand-pours candles and perfumes inspired by nature using thoughtfully sourced ingredients, including local honey. Each fragrance captures a different feeling of Maryland's Coast, making it easy to take a little piece of the region home.
Then there's Plak That. Even if you've never heard the name, you've probably seen their work. From signs throughout Worcester County's parks to many of the welcome and wayfinding signs around Ocean City, their craftsmanship quietly helps shape the visitor experience.
The People Behind the Place
One of the best ways to experience a destination is to meet the people who make it unique.
On Maryland's Coast, those people are building boats, shaping surfboards, roasting coffee, brewing beer, growing oysters, creating artwork, baking family recipes, and carrying traditions forward one customer at a time.
Their work gives Worcester County its personality. It creates jobs, supports local communities, and gives visitors something more meaningful than a souvenir.
So the next time you're exploring Maryland's Coast, take a few minutes to step inside a local shop, visit a gallery, sip something brewed just down the road, or discover a business you've never noticed before.
You may come for the beach. But it's the people who craft Maryland's Coast that will keep you coming back.
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