If you’re planning a household trip to Southern Delaware, listed below are one of the best issues to do in Rehoboth Seashore and surrounding cities in Delaware.
Our journey to Southern Delaware was stuffed with joyful surprises. In case you dwell in Maryland or Washington D.C., then the broad, flat sand Delaware seashores that stretch for miles are probably no shock. Equally, you received’t be shocked by the lovable boutiques, good eating places, and beautiful summer time properties that line the streets of Rehoboth Seashore. However, those who dwell outdoors 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.
Nicely 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 missed 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 model.
Lewes
Lewes (pronounced Lewis, as I used to be corrected), holds the glory of being the primary city within the first state. This historical past is obvious from its quaint downtown streets lined with leafy bushes and historic properties with their colourful flower bins overflowing with blooms. Linked by ferry to Cape Might, New Jersey, there’s additionally loads 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 completely different from Ocean Metropolis, Maryland, its bigger southern neighbor.
The primary road presents a wide selection of fashionable eateries and cute boutiques. There are a number of motels however that is primarily a seashore rental neighborhood, with some huge properties alongside the seashore street which might be clearly govt summer time properties.
Dewey Seashore
The subsequent city down is Dewey Seashore, which has a wholly completely different vibe from the opposite seashore cities in Southern Delaware. That is clearly the social gathering city, with fundamental surf outlets, motels, and seashore bars. However it additionally has the beautiful Delaware Seashore State Park, with entry to each Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Bethany Seashore / Fenwick Island
Referred to 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 resort, the Bethany Seashore Ocean Suites.
We visited Southern Delaware in early June and, aside from some windy days, the climate was good and, because the native children have been nonetheless in class, there have been no crowds! It actually made it the best 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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If you’re staying for every week, a trip rental might be the best way to go. Since we have 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 resort room. We stayed on the Crosswinds Motel proper on Rehoboth Avenue, the primary strip in Rehoboth Seashore. 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 car parking zone, versus the road, and so they have been surprisingly snug. Clearly the property has been lately renovated in a contemporary model with all of your fundamental comforts together with a flat display screen TV and enormous vainness space. The air-conditioning unit blocked out any exterior noise and the wooden laminate flooring have been good for a seashore motel. The perfect factor in regards to the Crosswinds was the situation. 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 beloved 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
Observe: Our go to was hosted by Southern Delaware Tourism. Our lodging and plenty of of our meals and actions have been complimentary for functions of assessment. 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 would possibly, but it surely was additionally too windy for us to spend lengthy, lazy days on the seashore. Even so, it ended up being a kind of completely balanced journeys the place we moved from one exercise to the subsequent 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 completely different loops which you can take by means of the park and we took the shorter Gordon’s Pond Path to keep away from as many busy roads as doable.
I’d suggest going within the early morning, not simply to beat the warmth, but additionally to beat the site 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 means of the park. In case you can convey alongside a backpack, you can too 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 in case you don’t bike by means of Cape Henlopen, I’d positively suggest spending a while there. Along with the seashore there are forest trails and acres of rolling dunes.
You may climb a World Warfare II statement 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 Warfare II, however the fort was later decommissioned and have become a state park in 1964.
At the moment, you possibly can discover the fort’s historical past by means of guided excursions, reveals, and artifacts on show all through the location. Some highlights embrace the Battery 519 Museum, which showcases the fort’s position within the warfare effort, and the Remark Tower, which presents beautiful 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
Situated close to Dewey Seashore, the Delaware Seashore State Park is a gem value paying the out-of-state day cross for. Although 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 facet, with two full-service bathhouses on the ocean facet. 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 broad.
When you are there, you can too 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 at this time’s Coast Guard. We realized 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.
In case you go, make sure you 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 reminiscent of seashore bonfires, sandcastle constructing demonstrations, summer time concert events, sea creature talks, and different naturalist packages.
Paddle boarding in Dewey Seashore
If you’re staying in Rehoboth Seashore, you’re going to wish to spend just a little time exploring the neighboring cities. Dewey Seashore is a good spot to attempt paddle boarding within the Bay.
Once we visited Delaware Seashore State Park in Dewey Seashore, we additionally arrange a rise up 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 possibility on our journey to Delaware.
We needed to postpone our paddle resulting from tough seas and the day we lastly went, it was nonetheless a bit uneven however we each managed to stand up and be taught the fundamentals. DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures is situated on the bay facet 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 no less than I didn’t fall off!
DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures presents each kayak and paddle board leases, in addition to windsurfing and rise up paddle boarding yoga lessons.
Kayaking in Lewes
If you’re a long-term reader, you’ll know that we do plenty 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 every part within the space, making for an ideal tour information for our paddle and an ideal 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 seashore events.
They’ve floating social gathering mats that they are going to anchor for your loved ones and group, after which arrange seashore chairs, video games, kayaks, and paddle boards and even a hearth pit! If you’re vacationing with prolonged household within the Rehoboth Seashore space, this seems like the right 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 bought was a really nice shock. The open air, but lined vessel was arrange with cubicles and tables, and visitors have 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 shouldn’t be narrated, however you get to see among the hottest sights, 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 folks, however once we went there have been solely a few dozen, leaving us loads of house to maneuver round. Cape Water Taxi and Excursions presents all kinds of excursions, together with eco-tours, dwell music cruises, and a water taxi service. Whereas a lot of these choices sound attractive, it’s exhausting 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 good footage. In case you get fortunate, you might simply spy a number of dolphins alongside the best way too. We did however they have been too quick for my digital camera.
Bethany Seashore Nature Heart
If you’re staying in Bethany Seashore, you might wish to plan a cease at their small however candy nature heart. Inside there are some enjoyable fingers on actions for youthful children, however everybody would possibly get pleasure from watching the dwell Osprey Cam in nesting season.
Out again is a small nature path and boardwalk overlooking a serene pond and salt marsh. Chances are you’ll 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 essentially 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 means of the brewery and bottling facility.
It might be just a little 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 in case you simply cease by for a tasting and a chew to eat.
A number of different breweries within the space embrace:
- 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. In addition they have dwell music and different occasions all year long.
- Huge 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 web site.
- 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 sights, then you definately would possibly love the Marvel Carriage Museum. Maintained by the Georgetown Historic Society, this museum is dwelling to a really massive assortment of horse-drawn carriages.
However that’s not all. In addition they have a one-room schoolhouse, a church (which remains to be used at this time), 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 stored this custom going with a parade annually that even President Biden has participated in.
Play at Funland
After all, you possibly can’t spend time in Rehoboth Seashore 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 sights 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 Meals
You may’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 once 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 even take pleasure in basic boardwalk fare like funnel truffles, saltwater taffy, and fresh-made popcorn.
Attend the Sea Witch Competition
Held yearly, the Sea Witch Competition is likely one of the largest occasions of the yr and attracts guests from all around the area. The competition is called after a personality from a guide by the identical title, “Sea Witch,” by native writer Dorothy J. Corridor.
It options a wide range of actions, together with a fancy dress parade, dwell music and leisure, meals distributors, and craft distributors. There are additionally a number of contests and competitions held in the course of the competition, reminiscent of one of the best dressed canine contest, pumpkin carving, and sandcastle constructing. The Sea Witch Competition is often held in late October.
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