What’s new at the Eastern Shore beaches this summer

The summer season is fast approaching and many folks are ready for a trip to the beach.

The Atlantic Ocean is the big draw, of course, as are quintessential summer experiences for vacationers, including a game of Skee-Ball on the boardwalk, a round of mini golf, the soothing sound of the surf and the cacophony of gulls.

Whether vacationing with family, surfing, fishing or exploring nature, the expansive beaches of Maryland and Delaware offer different vibes to suit a variety of moods and uses.

While every beachgoer may have their traditional favorites, new offerings are also eagerly anticipated. Here are some new things to check out when you’re heading to the coast this summer.

Ocean City

Locals and vacationers love fries, caramel popcorn, pizza and ice cream, but, at some point, most get hungry for something else. Boardwalk eats aren’t the only option for foodies in Ocean City.

In fact, the evolving food scene has many new culinary experiences to offer.

On the heels of the success of the wildly popular Spain Wine Bar in the Cambria Hotel Ocean City-Bayfront, restaurateur Peter Elias opened two new eateries in late 2025.

Bai-tee Bakery & Cafe, located on the boardwalk at 14th Street, offers a variety of French and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes with an ocean view. From flaky pastries to savory shakshouka, it is the perfect spot for breakfast (served all day) or lunch.

“Bai-tee means ‘my home,’” Elias explained. “Every dish is a tribute to how my mother cooked: with heart, soul, and an unshakable love for feeding others. At Bai-tee, we’re not just serving food — we’re sharing the comfort of home, one soulful bite at a time. Everything we make tells a story — of family, of travel, of a mother’s love, of home.”

Less than 2 miles away, Oyster & Scales, just a block south of where U.S. 50 enters Ocean City, offers fine dining with a view of the coastal bays. The restaurant, located at 306 Dorchester St., features an atmospheric bar, a raw bar and a full menu featuring fresh seafood and other delights.

And for the sea-foodies, mark Aug. 29 on your schedule for the second annual Ocean City Seafood Festival at Northside Park at 125th Street and Jamaica Avenue.

Boardwalk Rock, a new music festival that also debuted last year and featured Def Leppard, Nickleback and Rob Zombie, is taking a beat and won’t return until next year. Ocean’s Calling and Country Calling, however, remain on the calendar for late September and early October, respectively.

Assateague Island

Lifeguards (and bathrooms) are back on duty.

Trump administration cuts to the staff and budget at the National Park Service meant no lifeguards were hired for Assateague Island National Seashore last year, even though the barrier island stretching south of Ocean City sees more than 2 million visitors annually.

The year before, Assateague’s lifeguards performed 24 rescues on both the Maryland and Virginia sides of the thin coastal island.

The park service hired a new safety officer and lifeguard supervisor earlier this year, and the park is now hiring a team of guards who will be back on the lifeguard stands beginning Memorial Day weekend.

If visiting the island, stop at the Assateague Island Visitor Center just before you cross the Verrazano Bridge. The facility is chock-full of interactive exhibits that explain the unique dynamics of the barrier island. Kids can complete fun activities and earn a Junior Ranger badge.

There’s a state park on the island, too — one of Maryland’s top 4 most-visited state parks, with nearly 1.5 million campers and day-use visitors. And after a summer of portable toilets in 2025, state park visitors will enjoy new bathrooms and showers in the day-use area.

Adjacent to the main parking lot and The 5 Tides restaurant, the new facilities will surely be appreciated. Outdoor showers offer a place to rinse off for adults, children and even dogs. The new bathrooms feature energy- and cost-saving design elements, including solar panels to power the facility and solar tubes, which bring natural light into the building.

And if you are camping, or plan to bring lunch or dinner, be sure to take advantage of the new horse-resistant picnic tables, the last of which will be installed this year. The tables are designed to protect food from the island’s hungry wild horses.

Delaware beaches

Not everyone drives south on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to get to Ocean City. Many love the quaint charms of Bethany, Dewey and Rehoboth beaches.

Not far from Ocean City, just across the state line, the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville is getting a new, larger stage to be completed by July in time for Matteo Bocelli (yes, Andrea’s son) to perform on the 8th and Little Big Town on the 9th. The redone venue features a 42-foot-tall by 100-foot-long stage and new seating on the lawn terraces.

There’s a new-old motel in Rehoboth Beach. The Waypoint is a thoroughly modern renovation of The Shore Inn on Rehoboth Avenue heading into the beach town. The two-story boutique motel offers 20 updated rooms all in white with black trim. For the beer lover, Revelation Craft Brewing is moving to the property from a nearby warehouse.

No matter which beaches you visit this summer, you are sure to make a lifetime of memories. Visit your favorite places, but be sure to check out someplace new, too.

Visit ococean.com and visitsoutherndelaware.com for more information about events, activities and accommodations.