The East Coast's coastline is a great place to spend the summer. It offers a range of destination options from the "mini Vegas of the east" (Atlantic City) to the family-friendly Ocean City. Ocean City is situated in Worcester County in Maryland and is known as a family-friendly Atlantic resort town. It is one of the major beach resort areas on the US East Coast and is located on a barrier island or spit called Fenwick Island.

The resident population of the city is minuscule - being only around 7,000 year-round. But in the summer, the town is transformed. During summer weekends the place can host as many as 345,000 vacationers with around 8 million people visiting annually. At its peak, Ocean City becomes Maryland's second most populated municipality (behind Baltimore).

The Rise Of Ocean City As A Major Atlantic Resort

This stretch of Maryland's coastline has long attracted visitors. It has been attracting people since the Algonquian tribes first came to fish and sun themselves.

European history of the area began in 1524 with the arrival of Giovanni da Verrazano on the East Coast. Fast forward to the 17th century and the English colonists had established themselves in North America and were moving north from Virginia settling the area.

For many years after that, Ocean City remained a sleepy fishing village - that started to change in 1875 when the Atlantic Hotel opened and started welcoming visitors. The next year a railroad was built to bridge Sinepuxent Bay and the Atlantic resort was born.

• Origin: A Sleepy Fishing Village

In 1900 the first wooden walkway was built and Trimper's Amusements opened soon after that. Amusingly, the first walkway was seasonal - they would be taken up in the winter and stored until spring.

At Ocean City, one will see an inlet. Interestingly this inlet was created in 1933 in the wake of a powerful storm that ripped a new channel from the bay to the ocean. Seizing on the opportunity, engineers soon made the inlet permanent so that Ocean City could enjoy a new harbor.

Ocean City soon became one of the East Coast's most sought-after fishing destinations growing into the White Marlin Capital of the World.

• Fishing: Known As The White Marlin Capital of the World

New road and tunnel connections with the mainland accelerated Ocean City's development and today it has become one of the top Atlantic resort destinations on the eastern seaboard.

Related: Destination Atlantic City: Tour The Boardwalk Like A Local This Summer

Ocean City: Laid Back And Dry

Today Ocean City is laid out along 10 miles of stunning beaches - from the Inlet to the Delaware state line. There are a huge number of accommodation options (including over 10,000 hotel rooms and 21,000 condominiums).

• Hotel Rooms: Over 10,000 Hotel Rooms

Ocean City is packed with exciting attractions for visitors of all ages and has earned itself the epithet of "America's Greatest Family Resort". Here visitors can enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere away from the relative chaos of Atlantic City.

Unusually for an East Coast city, Ocean City is a dry town. No alcohol is served in the city - so it's not exactly a place midnight revelers come to party!

• Alcohol: Ocean City Is A Dry Town

Related: See Wild Ponies At These Virginia & Maryland Islands

Things To Do In Ocean City

There are plenty of ways to keep entertained in Ocean City (just partying and the nightlife isn't one of them). Some of the top things to do in Ocean City are:

• The Boardwalk: Stretching For Almost 3 Miles It Is Full Of Rides, Arcades, Amusements, And More
• Restaurants: Enjoy The Culinary Delights Of Its 200+ Restaurants With Seafood, Fresh Pizzas, And Everything Else
• Water Tours: Go For A Family Kayak, Boating, or Catamaran Tour (Or Rent Them Oneself)
• Art Exhibits: See The Ocean City Center for the Arts, Performing Arts Center, And Life-Saving Station Museum
• Assateague's Wild Ponies: See The Famous Wild Horses Of The East Coast
• Shopping: There Are Lots Of Therapeutic Rental Options

Another family-friendly attraction is enjoying the city's free family fun. In the summer, there are free family events almost every night of the week. These include Sundaes in the Park on Sundays (complete with ice cream and fireworks), Beach Dance Party on Tuesdays, movies on the Beach, and more.