What you see in your rear view there is Memorial Day weekend receding in the distance.
But fret not.
For one thing, we promise to keep you up to speed on all things beach-related this summer with our guide to 2022 and our weekly beach report.
We are here with more ideas to ensure that your summer is jam-packed with fun, Delaware-style.
Whether it’s marquee events or off-the-beaten track adventures, our Summer Bucket list offers something for everyone — beachgoer and landlubber alike.
All you have to do is choose:
It’s a whole new world at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, and a portion of the revamped space is devoted to the world’s oceans.
The rebooted and rebranded museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary with new galleries, updated technology, a newly installed floor map of Delaware, and much more.
“In the oceans exhibit, take a deep dive into an oceanic canyon and explore it along with scientists, including the museum’s Curator of Mollusks Elizabeth Shea, Ph.D.,’’ invites Halsey Spruance, executive director.
Whether you are just out to enjoy a rainy summer day or seeking some summertime STEM inspiration, the high-tech oceans exhibit in the Global Journey portion of the museum welcomes you to lose yourself for a while in the science of the sea.
Dive deeper:Delaware Museum of Nature and Science to reopen, transformed and TikTok-friendly
Nearby, you can also revisit the museum’s popular coral reef exhibit, which has an updated look and is designed to evoke Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
While you’re there, you can also wander over to the Regional Journey gallery, which shines a light on the state’s Bald Cypress Swamp, forests, a saltmarsh, dunes and the Delaware Bay.
4840 Kennett Pike, Greenville, (302) 658-9111; delmns.org
— Tammy Paolino
Anyone looking for a respite from the crowded boardwalks or busy beaches only has to look a little farther west to southern Delaware’s botanic gardens.
Just about a 25 to 30 min drive from Bethany Beach or Long Neck areas, the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek feature several gardens that are starting to blossom in vibrant hues, as well as trails throughout the woodlands where visitors can find recreated birds nests the size of a car or above-ground swimming pool.
What’s in bloom?:Take a walk in the Delaware Botanic Gardens to discover natural beauties in Sussex County
30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro; open Thursday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; guided tours available Thursday-Sunday at 10 a.m; 302-321-9061; delawaregardens.org
— Emily Lytle
There’s rarely a bad time to visit the Brandywine Zoo, but you can up your zoo game at these fun summer events:
“Brew at the Zoo’’ offers a chance to revel a bit at the zoo after dark, while sampling drinks and light fare from vendors (included in ticket price), hear live music by Spoky Speaky, all while supporting the Delaware Zoological Society. This all-ages fundraiser will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 3. Event will also include a 50/50 raffle and online auction. Tickets are $45 members; $50 non-members; $25 for alcohol-free members; $30 alcohol-free non-members; $15 member youth; $20 non-member youth; free for kids younger than 5.
Walk on wild side:3 Delaware zoos to do yoga with kangaroos, swim with otters, visit red pandas
“Family Fun Night’’ will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 14 with $1 admission, $1 hot dogs and $1 soft drinks for everyone hosted by 93.7 FM WSTW. Enjoy music, meet the DJs and take part in games and other fun. Buy tickets at zoo gate.
“Sip & Stroll’’ has a great mellow vibe to it. Held on Wednesdays from 5 to 7, this chill happy hour offers a chance to enjoy the zoo at a more casual pace. Plus, as a perk for parents and grandparents, adult drinks will be offered from Bellefonte Brewing and other purveyors. Dates are June 29, July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 14 and 28. A limited number of tickets will be sold to keep the crowds at bay. Drink are available for purchase. Tickets are $5 for adult members, $3 for children members; $10 adult non-members; $7 children non-members.
Hy-Point Farms ice cream will be featured at all three events.
1001 North Park Dr., Wilmington, brandywinezoo.org
— Tammy Paolino
The PGA Tour comes to Delaware for the first time with the BMW Championship from Aug. 16 to 21 at Wilmington Country Club.
The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings will play four rounds, with the Top 30 in points advancing to the Tour Championship the following week in Atlanta.
Go to bmwchampionship.com for more information, including ticket availability, volunteer opportunities, spectator information such as schedules, parking, and much more.
Wilmington Country Club, 4825 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, (302) 655-6171; bmwchampionship.com
— Brad Myers
The Coastal Atlantic Futbol Club Ospreys will once again play in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, featuring a roster that includes many of Delaware’s top collegiate, post-collegiate and high school players.
The Ospreys will play four regular-season home games on May 26 and June 2, 9 and 23. All games start at 7 p.m. at the DE Turf Complex in Frederica.
Go to wpslsoccer.com/teams/cafc-ospreys for more information, including tickets and the current roster.
4000 Bay Road, Frederica. coastalatlanticfutbolclub.org
— Brad Myers
When a Delaware summer day turns humid, swampy and unbearably hot, water ice can take the edge off.
The water ice stand at Grab N Go Market on Market Street near Wilmington offers the refreshing icy treat in many flavors and three cup sizes.
Fresh fruit smoothies and ice cream also are on tap. Just walk up to the window for convenient ordering.
3804 N. Market St., Wilmington; open Mondays 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays to Saturday Noon to 8 p.m..
— Anitra Johnson
Tucked away on the northwestern side of Delaware Seashore State Park is a hiking spot with great views of the bay.
Burton’s Island served as both a farm and a hunting club in centuries past. Now, it’s a nature preserve where a variety of birds, turtles, horseshoe crabs and other wildlife are frequently seen. Most of the island is maritime forest, and there’s a boardwalk over the salt marsh.
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Burton’s Island trail is an easy 1-mile walk that’s great for all ages, but as with any natural area, ticks are present in the summer months, so take precautions.
To get there, enter Delaware Seashore State Park’s northwest side. Park in the marina and walk north, past Hammerheads and the maintenance building. The trail entrance will be on your left, starting with a bridge to get to the island.
Inlet Road, Delaware Seashore State Park, Rehoboth Beach; open daily 8 a.m. to sunset. destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore
— Shannon Marvel McNaught
When you want to squeeze every last ounce of goodness from summer, you must stop to appreciate a few sunsets.
A great place to watch the sun set is at the Newark Reservoir, which is at 250 Old Paper Mill Road.
It’s a popular hiking spot and a great place to take kids because it’s also the site of Preston’s Playground, designed and created with ramps and padding so it can be safely utilized by children with disabilities.
Don’t forget the sunset snacks, Mom and Dad.
Old Papermill Road, Newark. newarkde.gov/459/Newark-Reservoir
— Kevin Tresolini
Shakespeare in the Park is an iconic summer activity. Between actual storms, considerin checking out ‘’The Tempest,’’ part of the Delaware Shakespeare’s Summer Festival offerings, July 15 to 31 at Rockwood Park, under the direction of David Stradley.
In its 20th season, Del Shakes is all about shaking up expectations, and their “Beyond Shakespeare’’ programming is not just serving comedies and tragedies.
If you like your language with less iambic pentameter, consider checking out “The Tempest Poetry Slam’.’
The spoken-world event will be held 6 p.m. June 21 at Christina Cultural Arts Center, directed by Raheem Curry and Mariah Ghant, and featuring Kira Akins, Tyrone Harper, Ameerah York James, Andre Jones, Rose C. Porter, Phoenix Rhymes, Todd Townsend and Christian “Anthem” Wills.
Meet the Squad: DelShakes Artistic Squad brings ever-evolving points of view to leadership
These local poets will collaborate to create new poems that connect with plots themes and characters from the company’s full productions this season.
Christina Cultural Arts Center, 705 N Market St., Wilmington; Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington. For tickets, COVID restrictions and other information, visit delshakes.org
A great way to take in some history while getting your steps in is by visiting Newark’s Iron Hill Park, which recounts George Washington’s ascent there in 1777 to view the movement of nearby British troops prior to the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge at the southeastern edge of Iron Hill soon after.
There are other interesting exhibits there having to do with the geology, topography and history of Iron Hill itself, so you can hike and learn on the same trip.
1337 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, newcastlede.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Iron-Hill-Park-54
— Kevin Tresolini
It’s wild to think that folks from all over the globe come to witness hordes of horseshoe crabs take over the Delaware Bay during mating season. In fact, the Small Wonder hosts the world’s largest concentration of spawning horseshoe crabs, per Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
Most of the baby-making usually takes place in May and June and is typically highest around new and high moons. The majority of spawning horseshoe is on site during nighttime high tide, per DNREC.
Seeing a flood of horseshoe crabs in person is a unique experience.
As a heads up, a new moon is coming on Tuesday, May 31. High moons are also on the calendar for Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15, followed by new moons on Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, June 30, all according to USHarbors.com.
— Andre Lamar
Getting antsy to travel but don’t want to take a long trip?
Hop on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a boat trip with some seasonal dining on the other side.
Exit Zero Filling Station in West Cape May has a new sister restaurant at the Cape May – Lewes Ferry Terminal, part of an expansion of culinary offerings at the venue.
Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), which owns and operates the ferry between New Jersey and Delaware, and Exit Zero have partnered to elevate the dining offerings at the Lower Township terminal.
Dining with a view:Exit 0 makes headway at Cape May – Lewes Ferry Terminal with new restaurants
Exit Zero Ferry Station will join Cafe 64, The Lookout and Boat Drinks at the site.
Guests can expect “re-imagined” American classics, Chinese and Thai staples, as well as burgers and chicken sandwiches.
The restaurant sits below The Lookout and adjacent to Boat Drinks. Inside you’ll find a large octagonal dining room with about 300 seats, overlooking the greenery and water. An octagonal bar will be built in the middle of the room, plus a double-sided gas fireplace running year-round.
Exit Zero Ferry Station debuted May 13 with the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, based at the ferry terminal.
1200 Lincoln Blvd., Cape May, New Jersey; 609-551-4209; visitferrypark.com and cmlf.com/restaurant
— Hira Qureshi
It’s not just the music that makes Firefly special.
The festival is about so much more, and one of those essential elements is people watching. You’ll arguably see some of the most creative and bizarre outfits/costumes of the year in Delaware (and likely beyond) at that festival alone.
Last year, for example, a festivalgoer wore a wedding dress that they had thrifted. The dress was accessorized with lime green platform boots, matching alien earrings, a silver fanny pack, blue lipstick and green eyeshadow.
In 2019, a large group dressed up as the namesake of “Where’s Waldo.”
Even if the Firefly lineup isn’t your cup of kombucha, the fashion will always give you something to talk about.
Firefly (599 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover) on Sept. 22-25. For more info, visit fireflyfestival.com.
— Andre Lamar
