Worcester: Coast, Nature and Regional History

Nature trails, coastal towns and historic buildings give Worcester its varied character. When looking for a hotel for your trip, you can choose your focus based on these experiences: nature and outdoor activities, Ocean City's Boardwalk, or museums and historic sites.

Experience the Coast and Nature

Ranger-led walks on the Life of the Marsh Trail are offered in the Maryland District of Assateague Island National Seashore. Check the official schedule before your trip if you would like to plan for one of these walks.

The Rackliffe Trail is a 1.5-mile loop through mainland forest and stands of bayberry and wax myrtle, passing freshwater ponds. There is a fishing pier at the marina in Assateague State Park. The state park also has 345 campsites just a short walk from the beach.

5 Tides Restaurant offers takeout as well as an extensive breakfast and lunch menu. Service information may change, so check before visiting. The Maryland section of the Cape to Cape Scenic Byway runs from Ocean City to Stockton.

Ocean City and Its Coast

Ocean City's Boardwalk stretches 2.5 miles from the Inlet in southern Ocean City to 27th Street. Family bike rides are another option there. Ocean City's first wooden walkway was built in 1900, a historic point of reference for today's Boardwalk.

The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum tells the story of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Its permanent exhibits include the original USLSS logbook. Alongside the coast, the history of the lifesaving service and a specific historic artifact take center stage.

Historic Sites and Museums

Furnace Town Historic Site encompasses a 25-acre 19th-century village built around the Nassawango Iron Furnace. The village is preserved, restored and interpreted. Historic buildings and artisan workshops form a learning center for history, art and nature around the furnace.

Rackliffe House is a restored 18th-century coastal plantation house overlooking Sinepuxent Bay. Sturgis One Room School offers another perspective on regional history: it operated as a school for 37 years. Until it closed in 1937, a single teacher taught grades 1 through 7 there.

The Julia A. Purnell Museum building was constructed in 1891 as St. Agnes Catholic Church. The museum's interpretive exhibits explore various aspects of life for the residents of Snow Hill and Worcester County.

The Delmarva Discovery Museum is located on the Pocomoke River in downtown Pocomoke City. It is housed in a historic Art Deco brick building originally built as a car dealership in 1922. Its exhibits explore the ecology of the Pocomoke River. Visitors can touch, listen, experiment and explore; the museum is also home to North American river otters Mac and Tuck. Programs, tours and presentations are held regularly. Their dates may change, so it is worth checking the current program schedule.

Focus your search on the places that interest you, and check current program dates if a tour or event is part of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Whaleyville, Ocean City, Pocomoke City, Bishopville, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Kent County, Saint Mary's County.

For the main travel overview: Maryland.