Assateague Island National Park Reviews

Wild Horses at Assateague picture in Ocean City

Grazing on Assateague picture in Ocean City

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Key Info

Official Website

Details

Half Day to Full Day Time to Spend

4.1

Overall

Scorecard

Value

4.5
Facilities

3.0
Atmosphere

5.0

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

If you tire of tourist-filled Ocean City, you may want to consider a day-trip to nearby Assateague Island National Park. This long, lean island — which begins just south of the resort area and stretches on to Virginia — is famous for its herds of wild horses, which are said to have taken over the island after surviving a Spanish shipwreck several centuries ago. Beautiful views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Sinepuxent Bay make Assateague a popular hiking spot.

The easiest way to get to Assateague Island is to take the Ocean Gateway to the Stephen Decatur Highway, which leads south to the Verrazano Bridge (about a 10-mile drive). The park is open throughout the year, but hours vary depending on the season. Vehicle entrance to the park costs $15 for a seven-day pass. You can also purchase a Duck Stamp for $30, which serves as an annual pass to Assateague National Park and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. For more information, visit the park's website.

More Best Things to Do in Ocean City

Ocean City Boardwalk picture in Ocean City

Ocean City Mini Golf picture in Ocean City

Life-Saving Museum picture in Ocean City

Trimper's Rides and Amusements picture in Ocean City

Ripley's Believe it or Not! picture in Ocean City

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#1 Ocean City Beach When the summer rolls around, head to the Ocean City Beach for sun, sand and surf. Running along the entire 10-mile-long east coast of the island, you're sure to ... Read more » threespeedjones / iStockphoto.com

#2 Ocean City Boardwalk Even if you're only passing through Ocean City, you can't help but spend time on the boardwalk. This kitschy three-mile long pedestrian route is flanked by soft sand ... Read more » abriggs21 / Getty Images

#3 Ocean City Miniature Golf No matter the season, a round of miniature golf is a great way to pass the time. And Ocean City features a variety of "putt-putt" courses tailored to specific themes ... Read more » guy schmidt / Flickr

#4 Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum If you're interested in learning a little area history, head to the southernmost tip of the Boardwalk to the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum. Housed in a former U.S ... Read more » Courtesy of OC Museum

#5 Trimper's Rides and Amusements Since the late 1800s, Trimper's Rides and Amusements has dominated Ocean City's entertainment scene. With more than 100 rides -- both indoor and outdoor -- you're sure to find ... Read more » dbking / Flickr

#6 Assateague Island National Park If you tire of tourist-filled Ocean City, you may want to consider a day-trip to nearby Assateague Island National Park. This long, lean island — which begins just south of the ... Read more » maxjewel / iStockphoto.com

#7 Ocean City Factory Outlets If the Boardwalk doesn't satisfy your yen for spending, the Ocean City Factory Outlets should do the trick. Located on the mainland just north of the Ocean Gateway, this ... Read more » pecaphoto77 / Getty Images

#8 Ocean City Golf Club This massive golf club is actually home to two separate golf courses. The older of the two -- the par-72 Seaside Course -- was founded in 1959 and is known for its ... Read more » Dan Thornberg / Getty Images

#9 Ripley's Believe it or Not! At the Ripley's Believe it or Not! museum -- easily recognized by the massive shark escaping from the front façade -- you'll find oddities from around the world. Authentic shrunken ... Read more » Bernt Rostad / Flickr

#10 Jolly Roger Amusement Park Jutting outward from the Coastal Highway into the Isle of Wight Bay, Jolly Roger is Maryland's largest amusement park and a great place for a family day. Its wide ... Read more » Jasmin Merdan / Getty Images