Ocean City, MD features miles of beaches and a boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, hotels, and even a theme park. If you’re from Howard County, Annapolis or any neighboring cities in Maryland you probably know all about Ocean City. With all of the heat waves happening, the beach is a great place to cool off and spend time with friends and family. Traveling to Ocean City is exciting so you’re probably not thinking about pit stops but everyone gets hungry and thirsty, and it’s also fun to stop and see what’s on the way.

Out of the Fire is a small old-style bistro located in Easton that offers a variety of creative dishes, drinks, and vegan options. They also have a wine bar, kitchen counter and they welcome walk-ins, they are open from the morning until around 2pm then open again at 5pm. It’s a great place to stop and grab a quick bite lunch in the historic town of Easton, MD about an hour and a half from Howard County and is open from the morning until around 2pm then again at 5pm.

Cafe EZ is great for an early morning breakfast or brunch in Ellicott City that’s open until 3pm. Ellicott City is only about 20 minutes from Howard County so it’s a great place to grab breakfast before getting on the road. They offer a variety of specialty breakfast and brunch options, creperies, and sandwiches. Their unique style and huge menu is sure to satisfy any early morning cravings.

EC Diner is a unique yet fun diner located in Ellicott City that’s open until 11pm so it’s a great stop no matter your schedule. The diner offers fresh ingredients featuring classic entrees, breakfast all-day, award-winning crab cakes, delicious hand-spun shakes, and creative cocktails. This diner is the perfect family-friendly place to stop and grab a bite.

For the travelers with a sweet tooth, Pat’s Porch is the stop for you. Located in Howard County, Pat’s Porch offers a variety of chocolates and treats. They also have a small shop in the store where you can purchase items from books and art work to home decor, candles and jewelry. It’s the perfect stop to grab some gifts and treats and the kids will love it. The shop is open until 7pm

Another great pit stop on the way to Ocean City is Ceremony Coffee Roasters. This cute and cozy shop is located in Annapolis and offers fresh roasted coffee and bagels. Ceremony Coffee is a great breakfast stop to get you up and ready for your trip to Ocean City.

All in all, Maryland has some great places to visit and shop. Remember to grab souvenirs from your stops to decorate your Dorsey Home. As you read there are plenty of restaurants in Ellicott City, Annapolis, Easton and Howard County to grab dinner, breakfast, or just a snack one day even if you aren’t necessarily going on a trip. Whether you’ll be making stops on your way to Ocean City or making stops on your way back make the best of your trips; as they it’s more about the journey than the destination.