Most families have their own beach traditions. For some, it is a trek to Ocean City every summer. For others, it is North Carolina's Outer Banks.But for many, Rehoboth Beach, Del., is the place to go to swim in the salty Atlantic and consume the many incarnations of greasy beach food.Just a short drive north from sprawling Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach offers a different experience than its Maryland neighbor. While Ocean City's main oceanside avenue is more than 100 blocks, Rehoboth is smaller with a boardwalk only about a mile long. You can park the family vehicle when you arrive and not get back behind the wheel until the drive home.And now that summer has drifted away, many locals and regulars say the best time to visit Rehoboth, October, is here. After Labor Day, the biggest crowds are gone, and the days are still warm. Lodging costs plummet and the end-of-summer sales are in full swing. Unlike the high season when cars troll up and down the streets looking for metered parking, during the off season, parking is free and plentiful.
Meters do not have to be fed, and parking permits are not needed in the neighborhoods.A Rehoboth trip feels different than an Ocean City venture soon after crossing the Bay Bridge into Eastern Shore. Shortly after crossing the bridge, make a left off U.S. 50 onto Route 404. Then follow the signs to Rehoboth. Or for a shorter ride, turn left off Route 404 after about 18 miles onto Route 16 east. Follow Route 16 east about 26 miles to U.S. 1 south.The speed limit on Route 16 is only 50 mph for much of the way, but the two-lane road is generally free of traffic and offers plenty of opportunities to buy fresh produce on the side of the road from vendors. From Baltimore, the trip should take about 2 1/2 hours.Follow U.S. 1 and highway signs to a left onto Rehoboth Avenue, the main drag to the beach, and stay on it until it dead ends at the boardwalk and the oceanfront. The quick drive up and down the avenue will provide a tease of what's ahead: pizza, boardwalk fries and soft serve.Where to stayDeciding where to stay is key to enjoying a Rehoboth vacation.
There are abundant hotels, bed and breakfasts, condos and houses within easy walking distance to the beach, dining and fun.If you are looking for a rental house or condo, there are plenty of Web sites to help. .The Pines neighborhood is a mostly residential section with cottages and bigger homes on tree-filled lots. The South Rehoboth neighborhood is just blocks off Rehoboth Avenue and has houses and condos that sleep two to 14 people. In general, house rentals do not include bed and bath linens. Most rental terms are weekly, but owners will sometime break up weeks on an unrented unit, a few days before a new week.For visits less than a week, a hotel is a good option.) is on the boardwalk and just two blocks from Rehoboth Avenue.A number of suite hotels also populate Rehoboth. The Breakers Hotel & Suites (302-227-6668), for example, is two blocks from the beach and a block from Rehoboth Avenue.Where to eatBesides the sand and sun, food might be the most important element in Rehoboth. There are several must-have food items, so plan all eating excursions.
Nicola Pizza on 1st Street serves pizza, but more importantly it is home to the Nic-a-boli -- sort of a calzone, but better. As the story goes, Nicholas Caggiano created the Nic-a-Boli first for his employees, and then later for customers. The basic Nic-a-Boli is cheese, tomato sauce and ground beef wrapped in pizza dough -- which the menu says is fat-free. Standard pizza toppings are available, and the Nicola's crew will make a non-meat version.Obie's By the Sea is a mid-priced restaurant at the north end of the boardwalk at Olive Avenue. It has an indoor and outdoor bar, steamed clams and shrimp, as well as a kids' menu. All with a great view of the ocean.Thrashers Fries, deep-fried and vinegar-doused, are available at several locations on the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue.Grotto Pizza can be found in and around Rehoboth. You can eat in or carry out.Funnel cakes and soft serve ice cream, rounding out the list of must-haves during a Rehoboth vacation, can be found at several shops along the boardwalk.
Head down to 1 Rehoboth Ave. at the boardwalk and visit Dolle's Candyland. A 4 1/4 -gallon tin of caramel popcorn costs $24.95 or the 17-oz. tin is $9.95. Dolle's is open weekends through November and closes for the season at Christmas.What to doThe 2003 Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, held in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach, begins Oct. 16. The festival features contemporary and traditional sounds, according to organizers.James Ingram performs at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center Oct. 17. And Gregg Karukas featuring The Heat Wave Horn Section will perform at the 1776 Restaurant the same night. The event closes Oct. 19 with a party held at Sydney's Blues and Jazz restaurant.For shoppers, there are 140 tax-free outlet stores with some of the most popular brands on the way into or out of town on U.S. 1. For kids and kids at heart, there are the games at Funland on the boardwalk. There are the latest in video games and some old favorites such as Ms. Pac-Man. And, of course, there's the beach.
Chair and umbrella rentals are available. .For more regional trips, see Page 44. Staley rises from Philadelphia projects to stardom with Virginia'Blushing' ear is no cause for alarmTrying to clarify convection settingsChild sex abuser sentenced to 8 years Girl and 2 boys were victims7 Ways Michael Jackson Changed The WorldRavens tackle Michael Oher takes big brother job seriouslySee All Popular Rentals Beach Block, park walk to town, central air, bikes, beach chairs its all here Let the fun begin here! Come relax, enjoy, dine in, dine out, steps to the beach, steps to all the pleasures of Cape May and the gas lit streets. This cozy and bright cottage will be your home away from home with all the comforts you need. Rehoboth Beach 3 BR In-Town Pet Friendly~Walk Everywhere ~Linens Included! We are taking a break from renting our property, and are not accepting reservations. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Fortunately, there are a lot of great properties in Rehoboth where you can find your happy place!
Have a wonderful 2017! Lovely 6 BR Less Than a Block to Finest Beach. Center of Cape May 17 Jefferson St.: This beautiful 6 Bedroom and 2.5+ Bathroom, Victorian era home is just 4 houses from Cape May’s finest family beach and a short walk to its best shops and restaurants. When not at the beach, you will be enjoying the home’s large ... Villa w/bay views near Bethany Beach! Rents Fridays-Fridays in summer. This unique 1800 square foot second floor condo is located in the beautiful 220 acre Bethany Bay Resort on the bay, surrounded by another 200 acres of unspoiled inland waterways and protected wetlands. There is an open floor plan including a very ... Spacious Waterfront Home, water views from every room, boat ramp, walk to beach This spacious waterfront home has everything you need for the perfect family vacation. Water views from almost every room provide a tranquil setting, while the private boat ramp, three docks, kayaks, shaded hammock and outdoor games mean you'll ne...
3 night minimum, Family friendly, 1 block to ocean, owner direct! Stay in style at this beautiful modern and charming condominium. This two-bedroom 1 bath condominium has beautiful bay views and is located one block from ocean, it will truly take you away. We are also one of the only condominium complex's that ... See All Popular Rentals See All Vacation Rentals Your perfect vacation starts here! Choose a rental from the world's best selection. Book and stay with confidence! Secure payments and peace of mind. Your vacation, your way! More space, more privacy, no compromises. Rental Condos for Your Beach Vacation in Rehoboth Beach Rehoboth Beach is a fun beach town for your summer vacation. Rental properties such as condos, townhouses, and houses are available. These properties have many amenities to help you have the best stay possible. Facilities such as swimming pools, outdoor barbecue grills, cable television, and washing machines are included to help you have a great time.
The Beach is a Great Place to Relax The beach at Rehoboth is very family oriented. Most visitors stay at locations right on the beach or within a very short walk. Many people bring their beach gear and stay on the beach all day. The kids play in the water or build castles in the sand. The adults relax and hang out. The boardwalk is adjacent to the beach, so food and amusements are close by. Shopping is Right in Town Rehoboth Beach has an outlet center for convenient shopping. It is located right on the main route through the town and offers everything a shopper could want. The Tanger Outlet Center has over 100 stores spread out over several blocks. The stores sell everything from clothing to shoes, toys, jewelry, accessories, and specialty items. Most stores sell goods at discounted prices. If you visit in the summer, it is a great place to get great fall clothes for the kids. Visit Nearby Cape Henlopen State Park Cape Henlopen State Park, located in Lewes, Delaware, is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
It has beaches for swimming, and lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In addition to swimming, the park offers an 18-hole disk golf course, basketball courts, and hiking and biking trails. Many people go to fish at Cape Henlopen State Park and hunting is permitted in some parts of the park during certain seasons. There are many open spaces, and this park hosts an annual kite festival every year that is worth attending. Great Dining at Delaware’s Beaches There are some great dining establishments to visit when you are at the Delaware beaches. Many offer water views while you eat. Many also offer local seafood that just can’t be beat for freshness. Try restaurants like The Wharf and Gilligans in Lewes or Bluecoast in Bethany or Obie’s in Rehoboth. All are within a 20 minute drive of Rehoboth, and all are excellent choices for the discerning diner. Summer Weather is Perfect for the Beach The summers at Rehoboth Beach are warm and sunny with occasional afternoon or evening thunder storms.
The average high summer temperature is in the upper 80s. Spring and fall see temperatures between 50-70F while winter temperatures are often in the 30s and 40s. The best time to visit Rehoboth is in the summer, especially if you plan to spend the day on the beach. If you enjoy shopping or just walking along the boardwalk, you might choose to vacation in late spring or early fall. The Best Ways to Get to Rehoboth Beach Rehoboth Beach is easily accessed by car. Coming from anywhere in Delaware, one would simply take Delaware State Route 1 right into town. You may choose to rent a car if you are coming a long distance and do not want to put excess mileage on your private car. Another way to get to Rehoboth Beach is the public busses that run from anywhere in the state of Delaware. Delaware Department of Transportation (DART), runs busses daily to the beach areas for the convenience of all. If you choose to fly, however, he nearest municipal airport is the Ocean City Municipal Airport in Ocean City, Maryland.