If you might be planning a household trip to Southern Delaware, listed below are the very best issues to do in Rehoboth Beach and surrounding cities in Delaware.
Our journey to Southern Delaware was stuffed with joyful surprises. If you reside in Maryland or Washington D.C., then the large, flat sand Delaware seashores that stretch for miles are doubtless no shock. Similarly, you gained’t be shocked by the lovable boutiques, good eating places, and lovely summer time houses that line the streets of Rehoboth Beach. But, people who reside exterior of that 200 mile radius might have missed this little gem in favor of a few of its extra well-known neighbors to the North or South.
Well I hope they don’t thoughts an excessive amount of if I allow you to in on that little secret, as a result of that is one stretch of seaside that shouldn’t be missed and there are such a lot of issues to do in Rehoboth Beach and the encompassing space.
Southern Delaware seashores
First, let me provide the lay of the land. Southern Delaware has 5 main seaside cities: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. Each has its personal distinct character so first you need to choose the one which greatest matches your model.
Lewes
Lewes (pronounced Lewis, as I used to be corrected), holds the honour of being the primary city within the first state. This historical past is obvious from its quaint downtown streets lined with leafy timber and historic houses with their colourful flower containers overflowing with blooms. Connected by ferry to Cape May, New Jersey, there’s additionally a lot to do for households from kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and extra.
Rehoboth Beach
South of Lewes is the upscale seaside city of Rehoboth Beach. While it nonetheless sports activities a family-friendly boardwalk with arcades, rides, and loads of junk meals, it’s fairly totally different from Ocean City, Maryland, its bigger southern neighbor.
The major road presents a wide selection of fashionable eateries and cute boutiques. There are a number of motels however that is primarily a seaside rental group, with some huge houses alongside the seaside street which can be clearly government summer time houses.
Dewey Beach
The subsequent city down is Dewey Beach, which has a completely totally different vibe from the opposite seaside cities in Southern Delaware. This is clearly the celebration city, with primary surf retailers, motels, and seaside bars. But it additionally has the attractive Delaware Seashore State Park, with entry to each Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Bethany Beach / Fenwick Island
Known because the “Quiet Resorts,” Bethany and Fenwick are the final cease earlier than crossing into Ocean City, Maryland. Bethany is much like Rehoboth, simply smaller and with a much less industrial boardwalk. Also extra of a trip rental city, there’s now one nice-looking resort, the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites.
We visited Southern Delaware in early June and, apart from some windy days, the climate was excellent and, for the reason that native children have been nonetheless in class, there have been no crowds! It actually made it the perfect time to be there and discover all of the issues to do in Rehoboth Beach.
Where to Stay in Rehoboth Beach
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If you might be staying for every week, a trip rental might be the best way to go. Since we have been on the town for under 4 days, and it was simply the 2 of us, it made extra sense for us to get a resort room. We stayed on the Crosswinds Motel proper on Rehoboth Avenue, the principle strip in Rehoboth Beach. Our double room on the second ground was surprisingly quiet.
I’m often not a fan of motels for security and luxury causes, however the Crosswinds’ rooms face the inside parking zone, versus the road, and so they have been surprisingly comfy. Clearly the property has been not too long ago renovated in a contemporary model with all of your primary comforts together with a flat display TV and enormous vainness space. The air-conditioning unit blocked out any exterior noise and the wooden laminate flooring have been excellent for a seaside motel. The neatest thing in regards to the Crosswinds was the placement. It was a 5 to 10 minute stroll to the seaside and boardwalk and simply steps to some nice eating places.
Find lodging in Rehoboth Beach:
We liked our time in Rehoboth Beach and, identical to our different mother-daughter journeys, we discovered spending high quality time collectively and engaged in actions side-by-side a beautiful bonding expertise, can’t you inform?
Things to do in Rehoboth Beach Delaware
Note: Our go to was hosted by Southern Delaware Tourism. Our lodging and lots of of our meals and actions have been complimentary for functions of evaluate. All opinions are my very own.
Since we have been there to see what the area has to supply households, we packed in additional than your common household may, however it was additionally too windy for us to spend lengthy, lazy days on the seaside. Even so, it ended up being a type of completely balanced journeys the place we moved from one exercise to the subsequent with out feeling rushed or overtired. Here is a pattern of a few of our favourite issues to do in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware:
Biking in Cape Henlopen State Park
We rented bikes from Atlantic Cycles proper in downtown Rehoboth after which biked over to close by Cape Henlopen State Park. There are a few totally different loops you could take by way of the park and we took the shorter Gordon’s Pond Trail to keep away from as many busy roads as potential.
I’d suggest going within the early morning, not simply to beat the warmth, but additionally to beat the visitors on the town. It solely took us a couple of minutes to get out of city and onto the crushed stone and boardwalk trails by way of the park. If you’ll be able to carry alongside a backpack, it’s also possible to spend a while on the seaside. Also be aware that there are bogs at a number of factors in addition to air refill stations.
Visit Cape Henlopen State Park
Even when you don’t bike by way of Cape Henlopen, I’d positively suggest spending a while there. In addition to the seaside there are forest trails and acres of rolling dunes.
You can climb a World War II remark tower and go to a WWII museum at Fort Miles. Fort Miles was initially in-built 1941 to defend the Delaware Bay and River from German U-boats throughout World War II, however the fort was later decommissioned and have become a state park in 1964.
Today, you’ll be able to discover the fort’s historical past by way of guided excursions, displays, and artifacts on show all through the positioning. Some highlights embody the Battery 519 Museum, which showcases the fort’s function within the conflict effort, and the Observation Tower, which presents beautiful views of the park and surrounding space. Definitely take the time to go as much as the cape and check out the lighthouse that sits on the tip.
Swimming at Delaware Seashore State Park
Located close to Dewey Beach, the Delaware Seashore State Park is a gem price paying the out-of-state day move for. Even although there are attractive seashores in Rehoboth Beach, this park is a pleasant change of scene. This park stretches for six miles and covers each the bay and ocean aspect, with two full-service bathhouses on the ocean aspect. It was chilly and windy the day we visited, so we didn’t go swimming, however even then the surf didn’t look too tough and and the seaside was so flat and large.
While you might be there, it’s also possible to cease by the Indian River Lifesaving Station, which dates again to 1876 and was constructed by the United States Life-saving Service, a pre-cursor to as we speak’s Coast Guard. We discovered in regards to the heroic efforts made by the boys stationed right here to save lots of these shipwrecked offshore and the bodily effort it will take to carry out these rescues.
If you go, make sure to look into any packages they could be working as they’ve a full praise of free (with park admission), family-friendly choices all summer time lengthy akin to seaside bonfires, sandcastle constructing demonstrations, summer time live shows, sea creature talks, and different naturalist packages.
Paddle boarding in Dewey Beach
If you might be staying in Rehoboth Beach, you’re going to need to spend a little bit time exploring the neighboring cities. Dewey Beach is a good spot to attempt paddle boarding within the Bay.
When we visited Delaware Seashore State Park in Dewey Beach, we additionally arrange a arise paddle boarding lesson on the best way. I’ve been desirous to attempt paddle boarding for a number of years now and at last bought the prospect on our journey to Delaware.
We needed to postpone our paddle as a result of tough seas and the day we lastly went, it was nonetheless a bit uneven however we each managed to rise up and be taught the fundamentals. DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures is positioned on the bay aspect of Dewey Beach, in a small inlet best for paddle boarding. Of course, watching these doing SUP yoga subsequent to us, I felt pretty incompetent however not less than I didn’t fall off!
DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures presents each kayak and paddle board leases, in addition to windsurfing and arise paddle boarding yoga courses.
Kayaking in Lewes
If you’re a long-term reader, you’ll know that we do a variety of kayaking on our journeys and Southern Delaware was no exception. This time we headed as much as Lewes for some kayaking with Quest Kayak & SUP Shack. The proprietor Matt is an area who is aware of everybody and the whole lot within the space, making for an ideal tour information for our paddle and an incredible useful resource for exploring the realm.
The climate was too windy for us to enter the bay, however these guys have some actually enjoyable choices together with their Dolphin Quest paddle, sundown classes, and so they even arrange seaside events.
They have floating celebration mats that they are going to anchor for your loved ones and group, after which arrange seaside chairs, video games, kayaks, and paddle boards and even a hearth pit! If you might be vacationing with prolonged household within the Rehoboth Beach space, this seems like the proper capstone occasion in your trip.
Sunset Cruise in Lewes
I wasn’t certain whether or not to anticipate an eco tour or a booze cruise for our night Delaware Bay Discovery Cruise with Cape Water Taxi & Tours, however what we bought was a really nice shock. The open air, but coated vessel was arrange with cubicles and tables, and visitors have been welcome to carry their very own meals and drinks (and sure, there’s a small restroom on board.)
This 90-minute cruise on the 54-foot Discovery pontoon boat shouldn’t be narrated, however you get to see a few of the hottest points of interest, together with the East End Lighthouse, Cape Henlopen Point, the Cape May Lewes Ferry terminal, Lewes Beach, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
The cruise can match as much as 65 individuals, however after we went there have been solely a few dozen, leaving us loads of area to maneuver round. Cape Water Taxi and Tours presents all kinds of excursions, together with eco-tours, reside music cruises, and a water taxi service. While lots of these choices sound engaging, it’s onerous to think about beating the sundown cruise.
I can’t suggest the night sundown sail extremely sufficient. Captain Dave had it timed so completely that we pulled up in entrance of the lighthouse simply because the solar was setting behind it, making for excellent footage. If you get fortunate, you could simply spy a number of dolphins alongside the best way too. We did however they have been too quick for my digicam.
Bethany Beach Nature Center
If you might be staying in Bethany Beach, you could need to plan a cease at their small however candy nature middle. Inside there are some enjoyable arms on actions for youthful children, however everybody may take pleasure in watching the reside Osprey Cam in nesting season.
Out again is a small nature path and boardwalk overlooking a serene pond and salt marsh. You might spy ospreys, heron, eagles, and, sadly, snakes (one slithered throughout our path on the boardwalk.)
Go Beer Tasting
With an up and coming beer, wine and spirits area, it appeared solely becoming to take a look at some native brews on our journey to Delaware, beginning with in all probability probably the most well-known, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. I want my husband may have come alongside as that is one among his favourite beers, however we nonetheless loved our one-hour tour by way of the brewery and bottling facility.
It can be a little bit lengthy for youthful children and so they make it clear that the tour is rated PG-13, however our tour information Tom made it very entertaining. Dogfish is such a enjoyable place to go to even when you simply cease by for a tasting and a chunk to eat.
A number of different breweries within the space embody:
- Revelation Craft Brewing Company: This brewery is positioned in Rehoboth Beach itself and presents quite a lot of beers on faucet, in addition to a meals menu. They even have reside music and different occasions all year long.
- Big Oyster Brewery: This brewery is positioned in Lewes, Delaware, just some miles north of Rehoboth Beach. They provide quite a lot of beers, together with a number of award-winning brews, and have a tasting room and restaurant on web site.
- Crooked Hammock Brewery: This brewery is positioned in Lewes, Delaware, just some miles north of Rehoboth Beach. They provide quite a lot of beers, in addition to a full meals menu and out of doors seating.
Visit the Marvel Carriage Museum
If your loved ones is into quirky roadside points of interest, then you definitely may love the Marvel Carriage Museum. Maintained by the Georgetown Historical Society, this museum is house to a really giant assortment of horse-drawn carriages.
But that’s not all. They even have a one-room schoolhouse, a church (which remains to be used as we speak), a blacksmith store, a telecommunication museum and extra. What I discovered most fascinating was the carriage that’s used yearly for the Returns Day Parade.
Don’t know what Returns Day is? I didn’t both. Apparently in olden days, townspeople would collect within the city sq. on the day after Election Day to listen to the returns and who gained the election. Georgetown has saved this custom going with a parade annually that even President Biden has participated in.
Play at Funland
Of course, you’ll be able to’t spend time in Rehoboth Beach with out having fun with a stroll alongside the mile lengthy boardwalk and taking part in some video games in the Funland arcade. Funland is a family-owned and operated arcade and amusement park that has been a family-fun vacation spot since 1962, providing points of interest for all ages, together with arcade video games, carnival-style rides, and basic boardwalk video games like skee-ball and whack-a-mole. There are additionally a number of iconic rides, together with the Haunted Mansion, the Freefall, and the Superflip 360.
Eat Boardwalk Food
You can’t go to a boardwalk city with out having fun with a few of the scrumptious (if unhealthy) boardwalk meals like Thrasher Fries and, my favourite, Kohr’s Frozen Custard. I grew up having fun with Kohr’s as a particular deal with after we visited the New Jersey Shore and I used to be excited to share it with my daughter throughout our go to to Delaware. You also can take pleasure in basic boardwalk fare like funnel muffins, saltwater taffy, and fresh-made popcorn.
Attend the Sea Witch Festival
Held yearly, the Sea Witch Festival is likely one of the largest occasions of the yr and attracts guests from all around the area. The pageant is called after a personality from a e book by the identical title, “Sea Witch,” by native creator Dorothy J. Hall.
It options quite a lot of actions, together with a dressing up parade, reside music and leisure, meals distributors, and craft distributors. There are additionally a number of contests and competitions held throughout the pageant, akin to the very best dressed canine contest, pumpkin carving, and sandcastle constructing. The Sea Witch Festival is often held in late October.
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