Coastal Delaware

In case you rarely make it off the Boardwalk when visiting Ocean City, we thought we should point out that Southern Delaware is actually just up the road – when you cross over 146th Street in North Ocean City, you have reached Delaware! It can be an easy day trip from Ocean City, with a variety of things to do including State Parks, historic towns, family entertainment, tax free shopping, vibrant night scene, local breweries, and more beautiful beaches.
FI Lighthouse

Fenwick Island, Del.

Fenwick Island is the first town you’ll discover as you cross the state line.  Known as the Quiet Resort, it is home to the Fenwick Lighthouse, built in 1858.  This 87 feet tall structure is on 146th Street and admission is free. Call 302-436-8100 or visit www.fenwickislandlighthouse.org  for more information.   Fenwick Island is also home to some smaller motels and some unique gift shops and restaurants, including Harpoon Hannas. All streets in Fenwick Island offer public dune crossings to the beach and lifeguards are provided on most days between May 15 and September 15.  Fenwick Island State Park offers guarded ocean swimming during the summer months, with a bathhouse and snack bar. Surfing and surf fishing are allowed in designated areas and watercraft rentals are available. There is an entrance fee from May through September.

 

bethany beach

Bethany Beach, Del.

Bethany Beach is 12 miles further north and has almost a mile of beach lining its shore, with its own Boardwalk, and aBandstand providing free family entertainment all summer long.  Trolley cars run throughout the small town during the summer,  for only 25 cents a ride, and this helps with the sometimes limited parking.

Rehoboth Beach Downtown

Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Rehoboth Beach is not quite so quiet, and offers a Boardwalk full of eateries, amusements and rides.  The vibrant Downtown Rehoboth is packed full of small restaurants and bars, including Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats,  with may attractive shops and art galleries.  The tax free shopping of Delaware attracts many visitors to the Tanger Outlets just north of Rehoboth on Route 1.  Dewey Beach, Rehoboth’s nearby neighbor, has a buzzing night time scene of its own with live music, dancing, and nightlife that is world famous!

Lewes, Del.

Lewes  is considered the First Town in the First State.  Its attractive historic downtown is charmingly easy to walk around and discover the many elegant shops, restaurants and museums it has to offer. There are also some fairly Cape Henlopen Staate Parkexclusive hotels including Dogfish Inn, a 16 room hotel owned by Dogfish Head Brewery. Cape Henlopen State Park has miles of beautiful beaches, nature trails and bird sanctuaries, along with a historic World War II Observation Tower, with 360-degree views of the coastline, and a former military bunker which looks out onto the breathtaking Atlantic coastline.

 

Slower Lower Delaware

Georgetown is the county seat of Sussex County, De, and is situated in the heart of the county.  Considered “16 miles from anywhere” it is the home to 16 Mile Brewery, a local craft beer brewery located in a historic, converted barn with a tasting room which is open 7 days a week . Georgetown has some unique shops, including craft barns and antique shops.

 

Delmar is in the rare position of being located on the border of Delaware and Maryland, giving it its motto  “The Little
Town Too Big for One State”. In Delmar you will find 3rd Wave, the only all female owned brewery in Maryland and Delaware, where there are between 9-14 beers on tap at all times.  This little gem is worth a visit for their awesome beers. Their moto GOOD FRIENDS GOOD WAVES GREAT BEER rings true each visit.

So while visiting Ocean City, Maryland, the finest town on the Eastern Shore, take a day to explore its neighbor state Delaware, and discover a state rich in history and natural beauty, just up the road.

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