In case you are planning a household trip to Southern Delaware, listed here are one of the best issues to do in Rehoboth Seashore and surrounding cities in Delaware.
Our journey to Southern Delaware was filled with joyful surprises. If you happen to reside in Maryland or Washington D.C., then the vast, flat sand Delaware seashores that stretch for miles are doubtless no shock. Equally, you received’t be shocked by the lovable boutiques, good eating places, and lovely summer time properties that line the streets of Rehoboth Seashore. However, those who reside exterior of that 200 mile radius could have ignored this little gem in favor of a few of its extra well-known neighbors to the North or South.
Properly 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 seashore that shouldn’t be ignored and there are such a lot of issues to do in Rehoboth Seashore and the encompassing space.
Southern Delaware seashores
First, let me provide the lay of the land. Southern Delaware has 5 main seashore cities: Lewes, Rehoboth Seashore, Dewey Seashore, Bethany Seashore and Fenwick Island. Every has its personal distinct character so first you wish to choose the one which greatest matches your type.
Lewes
Lewes (pronounced Lewis, as I used to be corrected), holds the distinction of being the primary city within the first state. This historical past is clear from its quaint downtown streets lined with leafy bushes and historic properties with their colourful flower packing containers overflowing with blooms. Related by ferry to Cape Might, New Jersey, there’s additionally a lot to do for households from kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and extra.
Rehoboth Seashore
South of Lewes is the upscale seashore city of Rehoboth Seashore. Whereas it nonetheless sports activities a family-friendly boardwalk with arcades, rides, and loads of junk meals, it’s fairly totally different from Ocean Metropolis, Maryland, its bigger southern neighbor.
The principle avenue presents a wide variety of fashionable eateries and cute boutiques. There are just a few motels however that is primarily a seashore rental neighborhood, with some monumental properties alongside the seashore highway which might be clearly govt summer time properties.
Dewey Seashore
The following city down is Dewey Seashore, which has a completely totally different vibe from the opposite seashore cities in Southern Delaware. That is clearly the social gathering city, with primary surf retailers, motels, and seashore bars. Nevertheless it additionally has the beautiful Delaware Seashore State Park, with entry to each Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Bethany Seashore / Fenwick Island
Generally known as the “Quiet Resorts,” Bethany and Fenwick are the final cease earlier than crossing into Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. Bethany is much like Rehoboth, simply smaller and with a much less industrial boardwalk. Additionally extra of a trip rental city, there’s now one nice-looking lodge, the Bethany Seashore Ocean Suites.
We visited Southern Delaware in early June and, aside from some windy days, the climate was excellent and, for the reason that native youngsters had 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 Seashore.
The place to Keep in Rehoboth Seashore
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In case you are staying for per week, a trip rental might be the best way to go. Since we had been on the town for less than 4 days, and it was simply the 2 of us, it made extra sense for us to get a lodge room. We stayed on the Crosswinds Motel proper on Rehoboth Avenue, the primary strip in Rehoboth Seashore. Our double room on the second flooring was surprisingly quiet.
I’m normally not a fan of motels for security and luxury causes, however the Crosswinds’ rooms face the inside parking zone, versus the road, they usually had been surprisingly comfy. Clearly the property has been lately renovated in a contemporary type with all of your primary comforts together with a flat display TV and huge vainness space. The air-conditioning unit blocked out any exterior noise and the wooden laminate flooring had been excellent for a seashore motel. The perfect factor in regards to the Crosswinds was the placement. It was a 5 to 10 minute stroll to the seashore and boardwalk and simply steps to some nice eating places.
Discover lodging in Rehoboth Seashore:
We liked our time in Rehoboth Seashore and, identical to our different mother-daughter journeys, we discovered spending high quality time collectively and engaged in actions side-by-side an exquisite bonding expertise, can’t you inform?
Issues to do in Rehoboth Seashore Delaware
Be aware: Our go to was hosted by Southern Delaware Tourism. Our lodging and plenty of of our meals and actions had been complimentary for functions of assessment. All opinions are my very own.
Since we had been there to see what the area has to supply households, we packed in additional than your common household may, nevertheless it was additionally too windy for us to spend lengthy, lazy days on the seashore. Even so, it ended up being a type of completely balanced journeys the place we moved from one exercise to the following with out feeling rushed or overtired. Here’s a pattern of a few of our favourite issues to do in Rehoboth Seashore, 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 that you would be able to take by way of the park and we took the shorter Gordon’s Pond Path to keep away from as many busy roads as potential.
I’d advocate 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 happen to can convey alongside a backpack, you can even spend a while on the seashore. Additionally observe that there are bogs at a number of factors in addition to air refill stations.
Go to Cape Henlopen State Park
Even if you happen to don’t bike by way of Cape Henlopen, I’d undoubtedly advocate spending a while there. Along with the seashore there are forest trails and acres of rolling dunes.
You’ll be able to climb a World Conflict II statement tower and go to a WWII museum at Fort Miles. Fort Miles was initially inbuilt 1941 to defend the Delaware Bay and River from German U-boats throughout World Conflict II, however the fort was later decommissioned and have become a state park in 1964.
Right now, you may discover the fort’s historical past by way of guided excursions, reveals, and artifacts on show all through the location. Some highlights embody the Battery 519 Museum, which showcases the fort’s function within the struggle effort, and the Statement Tower, which presents gorgeous views of the park and surrounding space. Undoubtedly 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
Positioned close to Dewey Seashore, the Delaware Seashore State Park is a gem price paying the out-of-state day move for. Regardless that there are beautiful seashores in Rehoboth Seashore, 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 seashore was so flat and vast.
If you are there, you can even cease by the Indian River Lifesaving Station, which dates again to 1876 and was constructed by the US Life-saving Service, a pre-cursor to right now’s Coast Guard. We realized in regards to the heroic efforts made by the lads stationed right here to avoid wasting these shipwrecked offshore and the bodily effort it could take to carry out these rescues.
If you happen to go, remember to look into any applications they is likely to be working as they’ve a full praise of free (with park admission), family-friendly choices all summer time lengthy corresponding to seashore bonfires, sandcastle constructing demonstrations, summer time live shows, sea creature talks, and different naturalist applications.
Paddle boarding in Dewey Seashore
In case you are staying in Rehoboth Seashore, you’ll wish to spend slightly time exploring the neighboring cities. Dewey Seashore is a superb spot to strive paddle boarding within the Bay.
Once we visited Delaware Seashore State Park in Dewey Seashore, we additionally arrange a arise paddle boarding lesson on the best way. I’ve been desirous to strive paddle boarding for just a few years now and eventually acquired the prospect on our journey to Delaware.
We needed to postpone our paddle attributable to 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 situated on the bay aspect of Dewey Seashore, in a small inlet excellent for paddle boarding. After all, watching these doing SUP yoga subsequent to us, I felt pretty incompetent however a minimum of 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
In case you are a long-term reader, you’ll know that we do a number 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 a neighborhood who is aware of everybody and every thing within the space, making for an ideal tour information for our paddle and an important 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, they usually even arrange seashore events.
They’ve floating social gathering mats that they’ll anchor for your loved ones and group, after which arrange seashore chairs, video games, kayaks, and paddle boards and even a fireplace pit! In case you are vacationing with prolonged household within the Rehoboth Seashore space, this feels like the proper capstone occasion in your trip.
Sundown 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 & Excursions, however what we acquired was a really nice shock. The open air, but lined vessel was arrange with cubicles and tables, and company had been welcome to convey 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 is just not narrated, however you get to see among the hottest points of interest, together with the East Finish Lighthouse, Cape Henlopen Level, the Cape Might Lewes Ferry terminal, Lewes Seashore, 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 Excursions presents all kinds of excursions, together with eco-tours, reside music cruises, and a water taxi service. Whereas lots of these choices sound engaging, it’s laborious to think about beating the sundown cruise.
I can’t advocate 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 photos. If you happen to get fortunate, chances are you’ll simply spy just a few dolphins alongside the best way too. We did however they had been too quick for my digital camera.
Bethany Seashore Nature Heart
In case you are staying in Bethany Seashore, chances are you’ll wish to plan a cease at their small however candy nature middle. Inside there are some enjoyable palms on actions for youthful youngsters, however everybody may get pleasure from 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 could 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 most likely probably the most well-known, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. I want my husband may have come alongside as that is one in all his favourite beers, however we nonetheless loved our one-hour tour by way of the brewery and bottling facility.
It could be slightly lengthy for youthful youngsters they usually 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 if you happen to simply cease by for a tasting and a chew to eat.
Just a few different breweries within the space embody:
- Revelation Craft Brewing Firm: This brewery is situated in Rehoboth Seashore itself and presents a wide range of beers on faucet, in addition to a meals menu. Additionally they have reside music and different occasions all year long.
- Large Oyster Brewery: This brewery is situated in Lewes, Delaware, only a few miles north of Rehoboth Seashore. They provide a wide range of beers, together with a number of award-winning brews, and have a tasting room and restaurant on website.
- Crooked Hammock Brewery: This brewery is situated in Lewes, Delaware, only a few miles north of Rehoboth Seashore. They provide a wide range of beers, in addition to a full meals menu and outside seating.
Go to the Marvel Carriage Museum
If your loved ones is into quirky roadside points of interest, you then may love the Marvel Carriage Museum. Maintained by the Georgetown Historic Society, this museum is residence to a really giant assortment of horse-drawn carriages.
However that’s not all. Additionally they have a one-room schoolhouse, a church (which remains to be used right now), 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 received the election. Georgetown has saved this custom going with a parade annually that even President Biden has participated in.
Play at Funland
After all, you may’t spend time in Rehoboth Seashore with out having fun with a stroll alongside the mile lengthy boardwalk and enjoying 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 traditional 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 Meals
You’ll be able to’t go to a boardwalk city with out having fun with among 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 can too bask in traditional boardwalk fare like funnel desserts, saltwater taffy, and fresh-made popcorn.
Attend the Sea Witch Pageant
Held yearly, the Sea Witch Pageant is among the largest occasions of the 12 months and attracts guests from all around the area. The competition is known as after a personality from a guide by the identical title, “Sea Witch,” by native creator Dorothy J. Corridor.
It options a wide range of actions, together with a fancy dress parade, reside music and leisure, meals distributors, and craft distributors. There are additionally a number of contests and competitions held throughout the competition, corresponding to one of the best dressed canine contest, pumpkin carving, and sandcastle constructing. The Sea Witch Pageant is usually held in late October.
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