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MATPRA is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

Wicomico County

Meet the animals of the Salisbury Zoo in Wicomico County, MD

Lynx sitting on rocks at the Salisbury Zoo
Lynx at the Salisbury Zoo

The Salisbury Zoo is home to more than 100 animals. Get to know some of them, and look for them during your next visit.

Andean bear
Pinocchio, an Andean bear at the Salisbury Zoo

Andean Bears

Chaska, 11, and Pinocchio, 8, are the zoo’s two Andean bears. Andean bears are native to South America, and Pinocchio is a rescue from Ecuador, said registrar Jessica O’Neill.

There’s a sign outside the exhibit that makes it easier for visitors to tell them apart. Pinocchio is larger, and Chaska has more markings on her face.

Chaska’s in charge, said O’Neill, who described her as sassy and intelligent, picking up on behaviors quickly during training. Pinocchio is smart, too, but also a “lovable goofball,” O’Neill said.

The bears are both skilled at climbing, but females are usually better at it because they are smaller, she said.

It was announced this month that two cubs were born to Chaska and Pinocchio.

Wallabies

The wallabies who live at the zoo have different personalities. Casanova was the only male out on the day of our visit.

“He’s usually right in your face,” said zookeeper Hannah Buchek. He had just woken up from a nap.

Petunia is shy, and Emerald warms up to you, she said. Petunia and Emerald are both moms, and she’s noticed that the joeys seem to emulate their parents’ personalities.

Lynx

Lynx Chayne and her daughter Helga were new additions to the Salisbury Zoo in 2021. Helga was sitting in her mom’s usual spot during this visit.

They get along well, snuggling together and grooming each other, said zookeeper Brinkley Rayne. Chayne also shares her food with Helga, said zookeeper Cheyanne Storm.

Wallaby
Casanova, a wallaby at the Salisbury Zoo

Flamingos

There are eight male flamingos at the zoo, but only one has the title of “Old Man Flamingo.” He is 52 years old, even though the lifespan is about 50 in captivity, said zookeeper Hannah Buchek. He came to the zoo in 2002 from Disney, she said.

Alpacas

One male and five female alpacas live at the Salisbury Zoo, and it’s a family affair. Apollo, the only male, is the father of Skyla, Mercedes and Topanga.

“He definitely watches over his girls,” said zookeeper Brinkley Rayne.

Skyla’s mom is another one of the alpacas at the zoo, Sadorus, and Topanga’s mom, Diamond Girl, lives there too.

Skyla is the tallest, so she had a bit of an advantage when reaching her mouth out for romaine.

If you’re hoping to determine which one is which, Mercedes might be the easiest to pick out, as she is all brown. Sadorus is brown and white, Skyla is black and white, Apollo is light gray, Topanga is dark gray and Diamond Girl has “bangs.”

Macaw

Oddball the green-winged macaw, who is 21, shares the exhibit with the flamingos. Some of the words zookeeper Hannah Buchek used to describe him were “super-scaredy,” shy, stubborn and not social. He voices his disappointment, though, if a staff member comes in to take the flamingos for a medical reason, she said.

Oddball will work for peanuts. Buchek had him come to her, spread his wings and lift up a foot.

Flamingos with greenery in the background at the Salisbury Zoo
Old Man is the oldest flamingo at the Salisbury Zoo.

Let’s Go!

Where: 755 S. Park Drive, Salisbury
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Fee: Admission is free
Info: SalisburyZoo.org, 410-548-3188

What’s New for 2022 in Wicomico County, Maryland

Two canoes on a dock along the water at sunrise.
Two canoes are shown on a Whitehaven dock as the sun comes up. Photo by Bob Debski.

When was your last visit to Wicomico County, Maryland? If you’ve never been, or if it was prior to 2021, there have been some new additions during the past year. Read on to see what’s new.

Chesapeake Country All-American Road

Travel Routes 50, 54, 349, 352, 13 and 413 along the Chesapeake Country All-American Road in Wicomico County. This former scenic byway travels along the Eastern Shore and was designated as an All-American Road in 2021. Read our blog post about the road and its ribbon cutting. Learn more. 

Lynching in Wicomico County Marker, which is blue with gold writing, is shown.
This Lynching in Wicomico County Historic Marker is located in Downtown Salisbury.

Lynching in Wicomico County Historic Marker

A historic marker honoring the lives of three Black men who were lynched in Wicomico County was installed in Downtown Salisbury, at the intersection of Main and Division Streets, in 2021. The marker is at the site of the lynching of Matthew Williams. It is a project of the Salisbury Lynching Memorial Task Force and the Equal Justice Initiative. Learn more.

revival

Located in the City Center building in Downtown Salisbury, this new venue offers events such as live music, comedy and drag brunches. Some upcoming events at revival are listed on our Festivals and Events calendar. Learn more.

Burnish Beer Co.

In the fall, Wicomico County gained its fourth brewery when Burnish Beer Co. opened in North Salisbury. Enjoy brews and food in this indoor-outdoor space. Check out our video of learning to make beer at Burnish here.  Visit the brewery’s website here.

Outside view of Burnish Beer Co.
Burnish Beer Co. opened in Salisbury in 2021.

Heart of Salisbury Foodie Tour

The Heart of Salisbury Foodie Tour was introduced this past November and will return in May. The tour offers attendees the chance to learn about local restaurants, along with Salisbury’s history, while enjoying bites and sips from several locations. Read more about our experience on the tour here.

New animals at the Salisbury Zoo

In 2021, the Salisbury Zoo welcomed lynx Helga and Chayne, along with black-handed spider monkeys Dweasal and Rozindi. The zoo is free to visit. Learn more and plan your trip here.

Here are some more businesses and restaurants that opened in 2021.

Learn more about Wicomico County on our tourism blog.

Ten Things to Do in Wicomico County in 2021

Face-down bucket on dock by boat.
Cedar Hill Marina / Photo by Max Demers.

Set out on a trip to Wicomico County, Maryland, with a list of fun things to do in 2021.

At the beginning of 2020, we published a post called Ten Things You Must Do in Wicomico County This Year. The post was written before the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives, but it still would have been possible to do everything on the list except to see a Delmarva Shorebirds game, since they didn’t play in 2020. The team is back for 2021.

Here are some ideas for this year:

1. Have a picnic. Enjoy the outdoors by bringing a picnic blanket and some food to a local park. Wicomico County is home to over 50 parks and outdoor facilities, so there are lots of options. You could make lunch at home or get carryout from a local restaurant.

2. Visit a new-to-you park. With more than 50 options, it’s probably unlikely you’ve been to all of Wicomico County’s parks. Visit one you’ve never been to before, or one you haven’t been to in years. All parks in Wicomico County have free admission.

3. Take photos. We recently hosted our second Wicomico County Photo Walk, in which a group of photographers got together to take photos. We do plan to host future photo walks, but you can take photos anytime. You don’t have to have the latest and greatest gear, either. We host an annual Photo Contest, too.

Whitehaven Ferry
Whitehaven Ferry / Photo by Josephine Noonan.

4. Slow down. There’s a sign in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that reads, “You’re at the beach… relax and slow down.” The same goes for the Eastern Shore and Wicomico County. We have a more relaxed pace of life here, and 2021 is a great time to explore a small village like Whitehaven, or the waterfront areas along the Nanticoke River.

5. Make art. On last year’s list, we included “Enjoy the arts.” That’s still a fun idea, but in 2021, how about making your own art? One option is trying the pottery wheel at The Mudhud: Clay Art Studio, which opened in Downtown Salisbury in 2020.

6. Shop local. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a gift, there are plenty of local businesses in town that can suit your needs. And if you haven’t shopped in a while, you may find there are some new businesses in town. Both Lilac Clothing Company and Bomshell Boutique opened in Downtown Salisbury during 2020. Blackwater Apothecary opened this year.

7. Try a new-to-you restaurant. During 2020, eat at somewhere that’s new-to-you, whether you dine in, dine outside or get carryout. JoJo’s Family Restaurant , Vino Garden, The Looking Glass, America’s Best Wings, Guido’s Burritos and Pinches Tacos all opened in Wicomico County in 2020. In 2021, Playa Bowls, Mission BBQ, Stoked & Smoked BBQ and A Salt Shack have all opened here. Or, maybe there’s another restaurant you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t made it to yet. See more dining options here. There’s also a new brewery in town: Gateway Craft Brewing.

8. Go for a bike ride. Wicomico County’s flat terrain and beautiful views make it a great spot for cycling. Read more in this MidAtlantic DayTrips article.

Two bikes outside Whitehaven Hotel

9. Learn something new. Maybe you’ve been to some of Wicomico County’s attractions, but this year, make an extra effort to learn something. Share the fun facts you find out with friends and family.

10. Try something new. We launched a new video series called “We Tried It,” in which someone on our staff will be trying new things around Wicomico County. In the first edition, Marketing & Public Relations Manager Josephine Noonan tried carving a flat decoy at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. In the second edition, Tourism Manager Kristen Goller tried making a pie at The Ugly Pie. We challenge you to give something new a try this year.

Learn more about Wicomico County at WicomicoTourism.org.