Historic Homes Light Up Ocean City's Holiday Season

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Amid towering duplexes and new builds, pockets of local history remain in Ocean City with houses that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Victorian, Queen Anne and Spanish Revival style buildings dot the island, going beyond the Historic District.

OCNJ Friends of History & Culture aims to share these old homes with residents and guests through their annual Historic House Tour.

In 2025, about 400 guests attended the tour, according to Sne Avichel, innkeeper at the Scarborough Inn.

The self-guided tour invites neighbors into their fellow neighbors' homes, seeing beautiful old houses decorated for the holidays while getting to learn about their history.

Many are aware of some of Ocean City's history - its founding as a Christian retreat, the Sindia shipwreck, the Boardwalk fire. But homeowners shared other stories that many are unaware of, passed down from previous owners.

One home, a Spanish Revival house in the Gardens section, played an important role in World War II, the homeowner explained. It had a siren that alerted to German U-boats off the coast.

But not all of the historical significance was that big - though, it had an equally important impact on the families who spent time there. Some homes were passed down through generations, serving as reminders of time spent with loved ones. Sprinkled among the history were personal stories.

One home, which looked like it came from a storybook, had a special meaning for the family. The owner explained that her mother had purchased it years ago, as it had been her own mother's favorite home to drive past.

The Friends of OCNJ History & Culture are already planning the 2026 tour. It sells out, so if you're interested, you must first become a member. You can do so via their website.

You can also subscribe to their newsletter to learn more about what they do throughout the year.

See photos from the homes below. All photos taken by Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff.