SOMERSET/WORCESTER COUNTIES
Somerset County
County Offices
11916 Somerset Avenue
Princess Anne, MD 410-651-0320
www.somersetmd.us
Worcester County
County Offices
1 West Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 410-632-1194
www.co.worcester.md.us
Chamber of Commerce
12320 Ocean Gateway
Ocean City 410-213-0552
www.oceancity.org
Highways
U.S. 13 and 50, Route 413
Imagine living in a place where tradition and simplicity harmonize with the natural beauty of the countryside and shoreline. Here in the southern quadrant of Maryland, you’ll discover a region filled with musical festivals, crab and clam bakes and outdoor concerts under a canopy of stars. Although Worcester and Somerset Counties share similarities as well as distinctions, one fact is constant: Regardless of where you decide to settle in this welcoming area, the “good life” is waiting just beyond your doorstep.
Renowned for its charm and grace, Somerset County borders on the picturesque Chesapeake Bay and Virginia to the south. Somerset is a land of tidal bays and rivers, lush woodlands, clear skies and mouth-watering seafood. Worcester County enjoys a convenient location in the mid-Atlantic region, where residents have easy access to major metropolitan areas while they enjoy the serenity of quaint towns, majestic forests and scenic waterways. Worcester County even adds the ultimate “playground” for all ages—Ocean City.
Economy and Transportation
For Somerset County, the port city of Crisfield and the historic Princess Anne serve as the two major business and industrial centers. Fertile soil provides a rich harvest of soybeans and vegetables, while the county’s natural bounty attracts anglers, hunters, and water-sport enthusiasts. Tourism and poultry lead the Worcester County economy, although a diverse manufacturing base is on the rise.
Efficient transportation services are available by highways, air or train to key destinations like Norfolk, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. This excellent transportation network comes as little surprise when you consider that Ocean City has been one of the nation’s premier vacation destinations for decades. In recent years, the number of permanent Ocean City residents has doubled, fueling the highest property appreciation of any resort community on the East Coast.
Education and Healthcare
Education is viewed as a life-long process in Somerset and Worcester Counties, where vocational-technical schools, community colleges and institutions of higher learning are available to students of all ages. Area youth receive a quality education in the respective public school districts, where modern facilities combine with a dedicated staff and special programs to meet every need. A private education is also available at the Worcester Country School in Berlin, serving students from preschool through 12th grade.
Located in Princess Ann in Somerset County, the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore is a state-supported institution with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Wor-Wic Community College, which takes it name from the combination of Worcester and Wicomico Counties, has earned a reputation for excellence in its occupational and transfer programs as well as customized training for business and industry. Nearby Wicomico County also offers Salisbury State University with its renowned Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and other quality Schools.
A strong network of healthcare professionals, clinics and major hospitals ensure that residents receive the finest in diagnostics and treatment as well as community education and preventative health screenings. Atlantic General Hospital is located in Worcester County, while Somerset County offers emergency and general medical services at the Edward W. McCready Memorial Hospital. Neighboring Wicomico County provides a state-of-the-art regional healthcare institution just minutes from home—the Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.
Lifestyle
With their historic homes, small-town spirit and outstanding quality of life, the communities within Worcester and Somerset Counties offer every ingredient for an idyllic lifestyle. Few locales in the nation offer such a rare mix of historic sites, indescribable natural beauty and the first-rate amenities associated with a premier beach resort like Ocean City. The area’s growing population is primarily focused in established towns, although charming villages in both counties offer natural beauty and seclusion.
Each residential haven is unique in its atmosphere, personality and character. Snow Hill in Somerset County, for example, boasts more than 100 homes that are over a century old. Crisfield is noted as the Crab Capital of the World. Historic Princess Anne proudly displays our colonial past, while Deal Island and Wenona preserve the watermen’s heritage as they unload the day’s catch. On Smith Island, residents still speak an old Elizabethan dialect!
Housing opportunities are as diverse as the terrain, including custom homes on forested land and prime waterfront properties along the shoreline and waterways. Selections encompass estates hidden by lush woodlands, modern developments with resort-style amenities, and modest older homes lining quiet neighborhood streets. Regardless of the home you choose, outstanding recreational opportunities are just minutes from home. To the east lie sparkling Atlantic beaches—to the west, more than 13,000 acres of State Forest.
Beyond the white-sand beaches and miles of pristine shoreline, the counties offer sandy flatlands, marshes, and one of the northernmost stands of bald cypress in the nation along the Pocomoke River. The deepest river east of the Mississippi, the Pocomoke River and Sound provide many areas for camping, boating, hunting and fishing. Charter a fishing boat, try your luck at crabbing, camp at beautiful Janes Island State Park, or sail to a secluded cove.
Many are drawn to the cypress swamp, abundant wildlife and famous ponies of Assateague Island. Known for its unspoiled and tranquil beaches, the state park offers 680 acres for swimming, fishing, surfing, birdwatching, canoeing and boating, windsurfing, hiking, bicycling— even seashore and back country camping.
Outdoor enthusiasts are sure to discover the Beach to Bay Indian Trail, the only National Recreational Trail in Maryland. Tying together people, parks, historic sites and natural areas, the Trail creates opportunities for education, enrichment and enjoyment geared toward every age group. Sportsmen appreciate the abundant game in woods and marsh, while nature lovers prefer to wander the native pathways with camera in hand.
Newcomers will also discover a full calendar of local festivities and events, from the annual National Hard Crab Derby and Fair to the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake. Aficionados of shopping can explore the antique dealers and specialty shops tucked away in the smaller towns or browse for bargains at Ocean City’s outlet mecca. Lovers of history can ruminate through historic buildings and sights, fascinating museums like Calvin B. Taylor and Purnell, or visit the 1840s village at Nassanwango Iron Furnace.
At every turn, you’ll feel the pressures of the 21st century melt away as the sweet sound of songbirds replaces traffic noise and the city’s hectic pace slows to the relaxed rhythm of the country living. History is ever-present and each sunset is a silent celebration reflected in the Chesapeake Bay waters. From wild ponies to friendly people, Worcester and Somerset Counties combine well-balanced urban amenities with nature’s magnificent bounty for an unparalleled quality of life.
Berlin
Town Hall
410-641-2770
https://berlinmd.gov
Chamber of Commerce
410-641-4775
https://berlinchamber.org
Situated on a major travel route in the 1790s, Berlin had more hotels by the 1900s than neighboring Ocean City. Today, the relaxed pace of life, character and friendliness of this Worcester County city is difficult to match. The Old Globe Theater crowns the restored downtown historic district, offering a bevy of shops with an art gallery, movie festivals and life music, and a charming café. Berlin offers a rare environment in today’s world—the pleasures of small-town living where every convenience is within walking distance. Nearby attractions include the Stephen Decatur Park, harness racing, and public golf courses.
Ocean City
City Offices
410-289-8824
https://oceancitymd.gov
Chamber of Commerce
410-213-0552
www.oceancity.org
With ten miles of glistening white-sand beaches, Ocean City is Worcester County’s shining jewel. Attracting sun-worshipers and water-sports enthusiasts throughout the year, Ocean City pulsates with theme parks, shopping districts, entertainment spots, cottages, condominiums, hotels and restaurants. To the west is a concentration commercial activity, including Ocean City Airport. Just south of the airport is the major bayfront area dotted with the luxurious homes and estates of South Point. Great shopping, fine dining, amusements and nightlife are all available in Ocean City in amazing variety. Highlights include the three-mile boardwalk with its historic hard-carved wooden merry-go-round, amusements and the Lifesaving Museum.
Ocean Pines
City Offices
410-641-7717
www.oceanpines.org
Chamber of Commerce
410-641-5306
www.oceanpineschamber.org
Just 15 minutes from Ocean City is the serene residential and recreational community of Ocean Pines. Nestled in a quiet and lovely natural wooded setting, this tranquil residential haven consists of 3,500 acres of wooded land. A wide selection of existing homes and excellent choice of attractive lots allows newcomers to choose from wooded or waterfront property. The wide range of leisure facilities and activities includes tennis courts, musical concerts, dancing, community theater, swimming pools, a marina and Beach Club. The Clubs of Ocean Pines is an 18-hole championship course designed by the legendary golf-course architect Robert Trent Jones.
Pocomoke City
City Offices
410-957-1333
www.cityofpocomoke.com
Chamber of Commerce
410-430-9549
www.pocomokechamber.com
Another Worcester County community, Pocomoke City has been dubbed “The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore.” Ideally located less than an hour from Ocean City, the city is available for touring by kayak or canoe! Historic buildings offer splendid examples of period architecture and lovely public gardens. The city’s 1920s theatre is one of only three remaining genuine art deco movie houses in Maryland, complete with curtain and piano. The public municipal golf course invites year-round play in Maryland’s exceptionally mild weather, and the world-class fishing opportunities of Pocomoke River and Sound are just a short cruise from home.
Snow Hill
Town Hall
410-632-2080
www.snowhillmd.com
Chamber of Commerce
410-641-4775
https://berlinchamber.org
The county seat of Worcester County claims its roots along the banks of the Pocomoke River, growing into a farming and business community. Rebuilt after a devastating fire in the 1800s, Snow Hill has managed to retain its original status as the commercial and governmental hub of a rich agricultural area. A community of pleasing contrasts, the tranquility of tree-lined streets mixes with the bustle of county business. Canoe rentals and river originate right in town, while the Shad Landing Area of the Pocomoke River State Forest and Park offers camping, boating, a pool, and marina. The riverfront also serves as a panoramic setting for concerts at the pavilion.
