Things to do on Assateague Island and in Berlin, MD

Assateague Island is a barrier island split between Maryland and Virginia, kept undeveloped as a national seashore and wildlife refuge, so there is no boardwalk, no high-rise hotel strip, and no arcade lights to compete with Ocean City a few miles north.

The draw is unmanaged beach, dune trails and free-roaming wild ponies that wander the marsh and the shoreline on their own schedule, not a paddock. , the farthest stretch of the region's coast, and there is no train or Metro option, so a rental car is mandatory.

Given the drive, most visitors pair the island with an overnight in nearby Ocean City or Berlin rather than attempting a same-day round trip.