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For a long time, Delaware’s beach towns seemed to have their own distinct identities definitively carved out.
Families and the LGBTQ community ran Rehoboth Beach, hard-charging partiers drank in Dewey Beach and the older crowd at “Delaware’s Quiet Resort” enjoyed being in bed early in Bethany Beach.
While each destination has its own vibe, the walls have mostly come down over the years. But that doesn’t mean Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, Lewes and Fenwick Island don’t still shine in their own unique way.
We harnessed the combined knowledge of the Delaware Online/The News Journal newsroom to brainstorm this local’s guide to Delaware’s beaches.
Jump directly to your favorite beach town or scroll through all of your options below.
Rehoboth Beach | Dewey Beach | Lewes | Bethany Beach | Fenwick Island
Now, let’s hit the beach!
If you’re searching for the classic American summer beach experience, Rehoboth and its mile-long Boardwalk, which dates back to 1873, is the place for you.
Soaked in nostalgia, it’s the land of beach umbrellas, salt water taffy, and, of course, hungry seagulls looking for a runaway French fry.
Its main drag, Rehoboth Avenue, is packed with non-chain shops and eateries, and you’ll find the LGBTQ-heavy Baltimore Avenue just a block away.
Where to eat?
There are some staples that have become so intertwined with the town that it’s almost a crime not to stop in at least once, if not to just taste what generations of beachgoers have been drawn to.
Grotto Pizza‘s “legendary taste” has several locations in town with its distinctive sauce swirl and use of a mild cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella. Traditionalists should try a couple of other family-owned hometown favorites: Louie’s Pizza (since 1974) and Nicola Pizza (since 1971), also home to their famous “Nic-o-boli” strombolis.
Besides pizza, the Ocean City, Maryland-founded Thrasher’s with its three Rehoboth locations is a go-to for French fries for decades (try with salt and vinegar!), along with the more down-home Boardwalk legend, Gus & Gus Place. Other Boardwalk spots that have lines for good reason: Kohr Brothers (soft serve frozen custard), The Ice Cream Store (100-plus varieties of ice cream) and Dolle’s (salt water taffy and caramel popcorn).
FLASHBACK:‘Ketchup, it ain’t cheap’: Thrasher’s Fries tradition sparks battle in Rehoboth
But Rehoboth is much more than beach food for the masses. In fact, its restaurant scene just may arguably be the best in the state, ranging from breweries armed with impressive kitchens to fine dining spots that have foodies flocking.
Only 20 blocks long and two blocks deep, Dewey is a unique strip at Delaware’s beaches, best known for its nightlife.
While Dewey can still party hard, the days of the Girls Gone Wild bus stopping in town seem to be long gone as Dewey has grown up a bit over the past decade or so.
More family-friendly events have been rolled out as the number of families who live in town or visit for vacation has risen a bit.
Even so, summer weekends are dominated by masses of day-and-night drinkers, bopping from bar to bar in search of cover bands and fun.
Where to drink?
Did you say drink? You’re in the right town.
We’ll start with The Starboard, the iconic bar with a shark head busting out of the top of the building. A hodgepodge of bar rooms, the ‘Board is home to the best Orange Crush in town.
The other three major watering holes are owned by the same restaurant group so you’ll see a lot of the same acts, drinks and people. Still, each is a unique slice of Dewey.
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If you’re looking for more of a New England seaport town feel, Lewes is for you.
FLASHBACK:Rockin’ the boat on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
With the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal cutting through town and a beautiful Lewes Canalfront Park to watch the boats go by, it’s about as scenic as it gets.
Throw in historic houses, a slower pace than Rehoboth and Dewey, and its fair share of fine restaurants and you realize why it’s one of Delaware’s best towns.
What to do on a rainy day?
Go shopping inside at The Brush Factory Kings (unique home goods) or try a rum tasting at Beach Time Distilling.
Like we mentioned in the Rehoboth Beach entry, Movies at Midway is great for rainy day films. Also try Lefty’s Alley & Eats with bowling, laser tag, axe throwing and an arcade all under one roof.
FLASHBACK:Lefty’s Alley & Eats strike at the beach
Biblion Used Books and Rare Finds, as well as its sister store The Vintage Underground, are great for cozy escapes in Lewes. You can probably find something for anyone: the bookworm, the person who likes buttons with sassy sayings, the record lover and more.
This tidy coastal town greets visitors on Coastal Highway with its 24-foot Chief Little Owl landmark totem pole made by sculptor Peter Wolf Toth.
With its own half-mile Boardwalk — half the size of Rehoboth’s — the “Quiet Resort” is a dainty throwback that draws an older crowd looking for a slower pace than other bustling beach towns.
What makes it unique?
Bethany has none of the buzz of Rehoboth or Dewey and that’s by design.
Many restaurants close by 10 p.m. even on weekends. Good luck finding a bar with a band. Bars — establishments that focus mostly on selling alcohol — are not allowed in town and bands are mostly relegated to the town’s Bandstand.
Families and retirees dominate the area, which has a small number of shops downtown — and almost all are not chains, though Five Guys arrived several years back.
The Boardwalk isn’t mobbed like Rehoboth or Ocean City and most businesses have built up out on Del. 26, which has seen plenty of growth as more and more restaurateurs and retail shops have moved in.
Want to know what else to be on the lookout for during your visit? Read our complete guide here.
Where to be entertained?
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: Fenwick Island is not an island just like Coney Island is not an island.
Unlike Rehoboth, Lewes, Dewey and Bethany, it has a beach and that’s about it except for a few restaurants (some of which are quite good) and shops.
Hidden gems you should know about
It’s easy to miss, but Jimmy’s Kitchen on Coastal Highway is that greasy spoon breakfast spot that draws locals early, opening at 7 a.m. and closing 5-1/2 hours later each day. Try the chipped beef or “The Heavyroller,” a five-egg omelet that may send you right back to bed.
The staff of Delaware Online/The News Journal contributed to this report. Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormierdelawareonline) and Twitter (@ryancormier).
