The Perfect Berlin Maryland Day Trip With Kids
Berlin, Maryland is one of America’s coolest small towns. It was designed as a Maryland Main Street and Arts and Entertainment District. And it has been voted as one of the best Main Streets in America multiple times. You might be thinking, ‘That’s great. but can I visit with kids?’
Well, whether you want a side trip from Ocean City or want to visit Berlin, MD as a stand alone trip, this itinerary is the perfect Berlin Maryland day trip with kids!
Related: Perfect Maryland Day Trip With Kids
About Berlin, Maryland
Berlin, Maryland is only 8 miles away from Ocean City, but it has a completely different vibe. You might recognize Berlin, MD from the movie, Runaway Bride. It is known as a thriving arts community with loads of whimsical shops and great places to eat and eat well.
Berlin, Maryland also hosts a number of super fun annual events like a fantastic Farmers Market, Bathtub Races, a Peach Festival, the famous Berlin’s Fiddlers Convention, and fantastic holiday celebrations!
Grab a Bite to Eat!
There are so many great options for kid friendly food in downtown Berlin. There are farm to table options like Blacksmith Bar and Restaurant and the famous Build Your Own Sandwiches at Southgate Grill. Here are some personal recommendations:
Baked Dessert Cafe
The Baked Dessert Cafe is really not just about desserts, but they do desserts really really well! They make seasonally delicious biscuits from scratch, as well as quiches and other homemade breads. You could easily grab something delicious here for breakfast at the start of your day!
Raynes Reef Soda Fountain
For lunch, my recommendation is the super kid friendly Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain and Grill. Grab a burger and milkshake at this classic soda fountain! Kids meal options include hot dog, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and hamburgers.
Note: They are not open Sunday and Monday
The Island Creamery
No trip to Berlin would be complete without a scoop or two of ice cream to end your day! The Island Creamery is very popular with locals and visitors alike! Some of their delicious flavors include Snickers Cheesecake, Cotton Candy Party, and Pony Tracks.
During warmer months, you can enjoy your ice cream in their super cute side alley seating area.
Related: The Best Places to Get Ice Cream in Maryland (by location!)
Visit the Mermaid Museum
The Mermaid Museum is a must-stop visit on a day trip to Berlin, Maryland. This fun and fairly irreverent museum is all about the folklore surrounding mermaids (so, no nods to Disney here).
A visit won’t take you more than 30-40 minutes but it’s sure to delight your kids with fun photo ops. You can try on your mermaid legs in a bathtub.
Or you can pose inside a giant clam shell.
The museum is small but packed with fun folklore stories and facts, along with some interactive touches like these antique projectors.
Kids (and adults) are encouraged to dress up with this mermaid-inspired dress up trunk. How fun is that?
The Mermaid Museum is open seasonally from 11am-5pm. Cost is $11/person but kids under 5 and under are free!
Is the Mermaid Museum truly kid friendly? There are features kids will love but the museum is probably geared more to adults overall. Still, even adults won’t be here more than 30-40 minutes, so I think there is plenty to keep kids entertained!
Click here for more info on the Mermaid Museum.
Do Some Kid Friendly Shopping
Not all the shopping in Berlin is kid friendly or even kid appropriate. However, one store (that happens to be across the street from the Island Creamery) that kids will love is the World of Toys!
And not a store, but a cute and whimsical side trip– stop by Pollinator Way to see some super happy street art! This side alley is right next to The Island Creamery.
Play at Stephen Decatur Park and Playground
In conjunction with your Main Street Berlin visit, a perfect Berlin, Maryland day trip with kids would not be complete without spending some time at Stephen Decatur Park. This gorgeous park is only 4/10 of a mile from Main Street Berlin. You could bring bikes and scooters and easily get there by scooting. Or, there are multiple large parking lots right next to the main park areas.
Stephen Decatur Park Playground
The playground area is a sprawling playground with approximately a dozen play areas with different themes. Some are more suitable for younger kids (including a fully fenced in tot lot). There is a boundless play structure, plenty of climbing structures more suitable for older kids, and swings.
I love these swinging benches that are scattered throughout the park. Talk about chilling while your kids play!
The park area near the playground is shaded with large, towering trees and picnic tables.
I love this park for so many reasons. But a big one is this– this playground is close enough to the shopping area that the kids could play here with adult supervision, while you take turns shopping the less kid friendly boutiques and shops!
Stephen Decatur Park Nature Trail
Across the street from the playground, there is a lovely nature trail. This is a very easy path for kids and adults of all ages. It’s a .2 mile gravel path around a 1-acre pond.
Perfect Berlin Maryland Day Trip With Kids- Itinerary at a glance
- Grab a sweet pastry or breakfast treat at Baked Dessert.
- Let the kids play at Stephen Decatur park and nature trail while the adults take turns shopping.
- Grab a light lunch at Raynes Reef Soda Fountain.
- Visit the Mermaid Museum.
- Walk down to the World of Toys for some kid friendly shopping.
- Take some photos along Pollinator Way.
- End your day with a scoop of ice cream from The Island Creamery!
Know Before You Go
- Parking- Berlin offers FREE Parking on Main Street and in 6 public parking lots.
- Most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open seasonally starting in April.
- Downtown Berlin is very walkable and stroller friendly. You only need to park once and you can walk just about everywhere you want to go.
- The Berlin Farmers Market runs May – September every Sunday 9am-1pm.
FAQ
YES! Absolutely YES! This is a cute small town with charm oozing everywhere. There are plenty of fun activities that would appeal to kids.
A short list includes Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain, Crush N Crab, Southgate Grill, Blacksmith Bar, Island Creamery, and the Baked Dessert Cafe.
Berlin is 8 miles from Ocean City and 8.5 miles from Assateague Island National Seashore.
Other Area Attractions to Visit
You can visit Berlin, MD on its own. However, if you are traveling with kids there are so many area attractions! Ocean City is the obvious choice. Ocean City is such a fun family destination with the beach, boardwalk, loads of amusements and other attractions.
Take your kids to Assateague Island National Seashore and you can not only play on the beach, but see the famous wild ponies!
If you are willing to drive about 30 minutes from Berlin, the Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke City is the cutest children’s museum you have never heard of.
And 30 minutes inland from Berlin, your kids would love the (free) Salisbury Zoo and Ben’s Red Swings destination playground!
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