Rehoboth Beach is a popular Mid-Atlantic beach town that attracts visitors throughout the year because of its beaches, trails, state parks, arts, festivals, shopping, and great restaurants.
I’ve been coming to Rehoboth Beach, nicknamed America’s Summer Capital, off and on since I moved to the Washington D.C. area in 2010. My first impression was that Rehoboth is your typical mid-Atlantic, boardwalk focused beach town, full of arcades, taffy and fudge shops, and miniature golf venues. This Delaware shore town has grown on me over the years, for its great restaurants, many opportunities of things to see and do, or to just get away from the bustle of the big city and relax. Rehoboth Beach has become a familiar name to people that previously didn’t know much about it, as it is the vacation home of President Joe Biden.
In the past, Rehoboth Beach was mostly a summer vacation destination attracting people from the D.C. and Philly areas, but lately, a larger number of people have been visiting during the off-season. Many restaurants and shops have been following suit by staying open throughout the year.
The town attracts a variety of visitors, including retirees, families, younger singles and a sizable LGBT crowd. The area is growing significantly, and new outlying subdivisions sprout up regularly on what were once beautiful farm fields. In 2016, I was lucky to be able to buy an investment / rental property right in town, that doubles as my home away from home. The best thing is that it’s less than a three hour drive. I rarely come during the crowded peak summer season, when my house is rented out, instead focusing on the spring and fall when the crowds thin, and while the weather is still beautiful. Once you get past the commercial sprawl along Route 1-Coastal Highway, you’ll be charmed by the small town feel of Rehoboth Beach, its many festivals, gold sand beaches and blue ocean water, the tranquil canal that links to historic Lewes, and the beautiful trails that take you through forests, marshes, fields and sand dunes.
Things To Do
There are a ton of things to do in the Rehoboth Beach area that will keep all ages and personalities busy, any time of year. These include beaching, hiking, biking, golf, water sports, movie theaters, water parks, bowling, amusement parks, and museums. Other nearby resort areas are also easily accessible from Rehoboth Beach, including Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Ocean City and Lewes. A number of tours and activities such as guided kayak excursions, paddleboard rentals, and windsurfing lessons can be purchased on Viator. I’ve listed some of my favorite things below.
The Beach and Boardwalk – The Rehoboth Beach area encompasses several beaches, but the main beach is along the eastern side of the mile long boardwalk, at the end of Rehoboth Avenue and the bandstand. The wide boardwalk itself is lined with shops, restaurants, ice cream stands and arcades. Benches are provided all along the boardwalk for resting and watching the beautiful view. The boardwalk can be busy from morning through evening, especially during the summer, and is a great place to feel the warm breeze, listen to the crashing waves, and people watch. The beach is free to access, and there are spray fountains for cleaning, as well as restrooms / changing areas. Pets are only allowed on the beach and boardwalk during the off season (After Labor Day and prior to Memorial Day). Street parking is metered during the summer months, or a parking permit can be purchased that ranges from $10 during the week to $15 over the weekend.
Other generally less crowded beaches include Poodle Beach (at the southern end, near Queen Street), a favorite with the LGBT community, Deauville Beach (at the north end, off Henlopen Avenue, parking lot), and North Shores Beach, off Ocean Drive. In addition, Cape Henlopen State Park (see below) offers beautiful beaches, including Gordons Pond Beach, Herring Point Beach, and Cape Henlopen Beach.
Cape Henlopen State Park – Cape Henlopen State Park is a large, beautiful park at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of forests, view points from atop hills, a light house, nature center, wide beaches, dunes, and marshes. It also has leftover military relics including old barracks and World War II observation towers along the beach. A paved trail system meanders throughout the park. The park also includes a campground area. Daily vehicle entrance fee of $5 (In state) and $10 (Out of state).
Delaware Seashore State Park – This state park is located south of Rehoboth Beach, between Dewey Beach and the Indian River inlet, along Route 1 (Coastal Highway). It encompasses a long narrow peninsula that separates Rehoboth Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. This beautiful park gives visitors an idea of what the shore looked like before there was any development. The ocean side has six miles of uninterrupted and undeveloped beach, while the bay side includes marshes that provide nesting grounds for birds and terrapins. The park includes a campground at its southern end near the inlet, as well as a marina and the Burton Island nature preserve. Daily entrance fee of $5 (In state) and $10 (Out of state).
Sea Witch Festival – One of the most popular and fun activities in Rehoboth Beach is the annual Sea Witch Festival, that occurs in October, coinciding with Halloween. The festival includes a lively parade full of scary(ish) floats, a separate dog costume parade, kids events, live music, pony rides on the beach, an arts show, a 5K race, and many other events. During the parades, everyone, including their canine friends, dress in costume.
Farmers Market – From May through October, the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market is held at Grove Park every Tuesday, from 10am to 2pm. The market includes vendors selling produce, meats and seafood, jams, pastries, arts and crafts, jewelry and more. Grove Park is located at Rehoboth Avenue and Grove Street near the Traffic Circle.
Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum – Located near the entry into town, just east of the canal, this small two-story museum has displays on the history of the Rehoboth Beach area, from its beginnings as a Methodist beach camp, to more recent history, as well as rotating exhibits. Donations are encouraged.
Clear Space Theater – The Clear Space Theater, located in downtown Rehoboth Beach, provides 150 professional theater performances each year. A typical season includes musicals, plays, and Broadway style shows. Over the past two years, I’ve gone to shows including the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, and Ghost, the Musical. The upcoming (2022) season includes 9 to 5, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, and several others.
Lewes – Approximately seven miles northwest of Rehoboth Beach is the quaint and historic town of Lewes. Lewes was the first European settlement in Delaware, founded by Dutch settlers in 1631. Later, it was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, where several homes hid fugitive slaves. Lewes has its own beach on Delaware Bay, and the tidy and quaint downtown has a number of good restaurants and shops, my favorite being Agave Mexican restaurant (See below, under restaurants). It also has a number of restaurants along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, where you can watch boats go by while dining on an outdoor deck. The town has some very old and beautiful architecture, especially on Second Street, and along Savannah Road. A fun and healthy way to get to Lewes from Rehoboth is by biking the Junction and Breakwater trail (See below). From Lewes, you can also catch a ferry that goes across the Delaware Bay to the beautiful Victorian designed town of Cape May, New Jersey, also known as America’s original seaside resort. The ferry operates 365 days a year and takes approximately 90 minutes each way.
Trails – There are a number of good, flat, easy multi-use trails in the Rehoboth area, connecting users to nearby towns such as Lewes and Georgetown, and traversing through beautiful landscapes. My favorite is the Junction and Breakwater Trail, which connects Rehoboth Beach to Lewes. This six mile long trail uses former rail lines. It traverses through forests, farm fields, over marshes and wetlands. It also connects to the Georgetown-Lewes Trail. From Lewes, you can continue on to Cape Henlopen State Park using its trail system, and then loop back to Rehoboth Beach along Ocean Drive. This full loop is approximately 18 miles.
Restaurants and Bars
One of the great things about Rehoboth Beach is the huge variety of good restaurants, from upscale dining, and restaurants with an ocean view, to family friendly and tasty dives. I’ve been to so many restaurants in the area, and there are too many to list here, but below are some of my favorites, with varying price ranges, cuisines and style.
Agave – This upscale Mexican restaurant focuses in Oaxacan cuisine, and there are two locations including the original Lewes restaurant, and a new location in Rehoboth Beach on Route 1. My favorite dishes include the roasted corn soup, as well as the Chiles en Nogada, a delicious entrée of meat and fruit stuffed roasted poblano peppers covered in a cheese and nut sauce. The banana coconut Tres Leches is to die for. 19178 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach
Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats – The Dogfish Brewery, based in Milton, is a local Delaware success story. Founded in 1995, they produce 262,000 barrels of beer annually. They also operate a micro-distillery. The main brewery in Milton provides tours, which I recommend. The Rehoboth Beach restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches and tacos, entrees and wood fired pizza. They also have a gift shop, and host live music. 320 Rehoboth Avenue.
Doggie Style – This inexpensive family run restaurant has a large variety of foot long hot dogs and sausages with various toppings. The reason I come is for the Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican dishes, including mofongo, empanadas, and arepas. They’re greasy but delectable. The restaurant is mostly take-out but there are a few indoor tables. 4 North First Street
Eden – Upscale restaurant and bar on Baltimore Avenue with dishes ranging from seafood, steak, and chops. 23 Baltimore Avenue
Egg – Moderately priced restaurant serving brunch, with many egg dishes, burgers and sandwiches, and specialties such as the siracha bacon candy, peanut butter French toast, and creamed chip beef over cornbread. 510 Rehoboth Avenue
Henlopen City Oyster House – Upscale, simple but beautiful seafood restaurant and bar specializing in, of course, oysters, but also many other seafood and a few non-seafood dishes. 50 Wilmington Avenue
Lupo Italian Kitchen – Upscale restaurant and bar focusing on Coastal Italian cuisine, with fresh pastas made in house. The meatball appetizer is one of my favorites. 247 Rehoboth Avenue
Paradise Grill – This is a huge, fun, waterfront bar and restaurant that has a Key West vibe. It’s not really in Rehoboth Beach, but about twelve miles south, on Indian River Bay. Every year, they transplant huge palm trees to the site. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas. There is an entertainment area where live bands play. The food is inexpensive and includes burgers, sandwiches, wings, salads, and seafood. 27344 Bay Road, Millsboro, Delaware
Purple Parrot Grill – This fun, laid back beach style restaurant and bar is located in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The menu includes soups, salads burgers, tacos, sandwiches, entrees and daily specials. The back of the restaurant includes a biergarten area with sand, palm trees and picnic tables, where you can order food and drinks. Friday and Saturday nights offer Karaoke. 134 Rehoboth Avenue
Semra’s Mediterranean Grill – This friendly family owned, inexpensive restaurant focuses on Turkish cuisine, with a range of kabobs, gyros, vegetarian dishes, and salads. My favorite is the Iskender platter that includes gyro meat covered in a tomato and red pepper sauce with a dallop of yoghurt. 19 Rehoboth Avenue
Stingray Sushi Bar and Asian Grill – this Pan Asian restaurant has a huge sushi and sashimi menu, as well as Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese dishes, including vegetarian options. 59 Lake Avenue
The Cultured Pearl Restaurant and Sushi Bar – This beautiful and unique restaurant and bar focuses on sushi as well as Pan Asian style dishes including vegetarian. It’s located on an upper level of a small mall, and has a well stocked koi pond. The outdoor rooftop dining area has great views of downtown Rehoboth Beach, and includes individual cabana style dining areas. 301 Rehoboth Avenue
Thompson Island Brewing Company – This large moderately priced craft brewery and restaurant on Coastal Highway has a variety of dishes. Dishes include burgers, salads, entrees, and southern style sides. I love the sloppy joe egg rolls. They have a fun outdoor dining area with cornhole boards, ping pong, bocce ball, fire pits, and Adirondack chairs. 30133 Veterans Way
Coffee
Rise Up – Part of a small local independent coffee shop chain, headquartered in Easton, Maryland. It’s been voted Maryland’s best coffee. The Rehoboth Beach shop has a variety of coffees and teas, and serves bakery items, breakfast bowls, sandwiches and burritos. There is an outdoor seating area as well. 502 Rehoboth Avenue
The Point Coffee Shop and Bakery – This coffee shop is located near the entrance into Rehoboth Beach, where Route 1 (Coastal Highway) intersects with Route 1A (Rehoboth Avenue). In addition to coffees and teas, they offer a breakfast menu, home made pastries, quiche, sandwiches and salads. They also have an outdoor patio area. 37140 Rehoboth Avenue
The Coffee Mill – Offers good coffee and teas, cakes, breakfast sandwiches, bakery items and sandwiches. Outdoor seating in the alley. 127 Rehoboth Avenue B (located at the Shops at Rehoboth Mews)
Shopping
There is no shortage of shopping in the Rehoboth Beach area, and shopping ranges from boutiques, galleries, home décor, gift and curio shops, to outlet malls and big box retailers.
Downtown Rehoboth Beach – Rehoboth Beach’s downtown is focused along Rehoboth Avenue, between the boardwalk on the east, and the Rehoboth-Lewes canal on the west. This wide street includes plenty of parking (metered during the summer peak), and includes a variety of gift shops, clothing stores, galleries, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, hotels, and services such as banks. There are also shops and restaurants on two parallel streets to Rehoboth Avenue, including Baltimore Avenue, and Wilmington Avenue.
Penny Lane Mall – Penny Lane is a quaint, colorful, narrow alley in downtown Rehoboth Beach, connecting Rehoboth Avenue and Wilmington Avenue. It is lined with galleries, gift shops, and small restaurants.
The Shops at Rehoboth Mews – Similar to Penny Lane, this is a narrow alley on the north side of Rehoboth Avenue, connecting it to Baltimore Avenue. It is lined with gift shops and a coffee shop (The Coffee Mill – see above).
Tanger Outlets – There are three large Tanger outlet malls scattered along Route 1, west of Rehoboth Beach, featuring discount outlets for national brands. The three shopping outlet malls include Tanger Outlets – Rehoboth Beach; Tanger Outlets Rehoboth – Surfside; and Tanger Outlets Rehoboth – Bayside.
Route 1 (Coastal Highway) – Route 1 is an auto oriented corridor that sprawls for miles west of Rehoboth Beach, and includes a variety of shopping, including big box retailers such as Walmart and Home Depot, shopping centers, grocery stores, and national chain and local restaurants, and plenty of hotels and banks.
Getting Around
Most people get around to the various attractions by car, but there are two transit systems available. Because of the limited road / grid system, getting around by car during the summer peak can be exhausting, especially along Route 1 (Coastal Highway), when traffic queues into town can be very long.
DART – DART operates seven routes in Sussex County, and provides service between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwich Island and Ocean City, Maryland. Times vary by route.
Jolley Trolley – The jolley trolley provides a fixed route service every 30 minutes between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach from Memorial Day weekend through abor Day weekend, and weekend service during the shoulder seasons ($4 one-way / $7 round trip; Children 5 and under $2 one-way)
Great post, photos and perspective!
Thanks for taking the time to read it!