Ocean City, MD: Beach Patrol Holiday Train Garden

Have you been to the visitors center at the Ocean City convention center? I'm sure you're familiar with the tall, rounded portion of the building on the left side of the facility, but this time of year it looks a bit different, as the "Rotunda" has magically morphed into a holiday display. Multiple trains run on a round display divided into two uniquely different types of layouts, railroads and scenery.

Located at 40th Street and Coastal Highway, this attraction is set up and staffed by volunteers to benefit the OC Beach Patrol. It is open to the public Wednesday - Sunday from 5:30pm until 9:00pm, and visitors are encouraged to make a donation in place of an admission fee. The first thing that you see when you pull up is this festively decorated lifeguard stand, which I'd like to point out would make a great photo spot.📷

   

Inside, the visitors center has been transformed into a holiday village, with trains and neighborhoods at center stage. It's divided into two sides, each built with different details, and one of the things this display has that I've not seen before is a scavenger hunt! They will provide you with sheets and pencils so everyone can participate, and it's not just for the younger visitors - we saw adults and kids alike having fun spying out various items throughout the exhibit.

While you're there, check out the history and information about the Beach Patrol and Ocean City's railroads of years gone by. The exhibit is free, however donations are requested to help fund the Beach Patrol, so don't forget to slip a few dollars into the lifeguard buoy by the door.

• Here's an album on Facebook of the train garden
• Visit the Ocean City Beach Patrol Facebook page here

• Website for the OCBP

The Convention Center is located at:

4001 Coastal Highway

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Website

Check out my previous blog post about Train Gardens on Delmarva too! I hope you enjoy this month and it's festive attractions ~ wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season. Merry Christmas!

community first • marketing consultant • advocate for small business • lover

of classic cars • beach girl • believer that "together we accomplish more"