Rehoboth Beach has earned the moniker “the nation’s summer capital” due to the preferred beach town of vacationers hailing from Washington D.C. The Delaware Valley has countless guides of the Jersey Shore but The Spot went south to Rehoboth Beach to learn more. We instantly fell for its charm and grace.
Why Rehoboth Beach? In many ways, as a coastal beach town, its quaint charm is reminiscent of a New England feel. The distance from the Greater Philadelphia area is the same if you were to take the drive to Cape May. We set out to explore activities for a day.
Access to the town is through Coastal Highway, now Delaware 1A or Rehoboth Avenue. Once arrived, it is only a matter of parking. During the summer months, boutiques are plentiful and dot all along the avenue up to the boardwalk. Take your pick on window shopping or shop high end or elegant apparel. You can find a variety of unique decor, home goods, or even specialty pet stores that will ignite your summer soul.
Our first stop was a pale blue Victorian shaped building that was a restaurant named Jam. It was a beautiful day with no humidity. We thought it would be perfect to get a light lunch on the deck. We struck up a conversation with the bartender who suggested some plates. I have a penchant for Southern cuisine so shrimp n’ grits was on the way. Our cocktails of choice: watermelon and cucumber martinis. A nice couple offered up some stools and we talked about why Rehoboth was a great town. We never got their names but we found them humorous and one especially who was wearing a Hawaiian shirt from cult movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Not only was it a great way to bring in summer but I suppose meeting friendly people and getting to know a little about them is the whole point right? Here are some starting points on where to hit the re-set button.
5. Tanger Outlets Rehoboth
Who doesn’t love tax free shopping? You can do plenty in Tanger Outlets with stores such as Calvin Klein, J. Crew and much more. Just a few miles from the boardwalk, shop for great value and savings while making it a beach day!
4. Penny Lane Mall
Penny Lane Mall is a strip of boutique shops like The Sea Shell Shop and Browseabout Books. Don’t forget the must try sweet spot Archie’s Ice Cream. Make sure to stop at antique shop or two. We found little treasures at bargain prices!
3. Cooter Brown’s Twisted Southern Kitchen and Bourbon Bar
This restaurant bar bills itself as traditional southern cooking with a modern twist. We cannot give it a better description. Plates such as Sweet Tea Fried Chicken and The BBQ Bourbon Burger are noteworthy menu items.
2. Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
This popular venue is where you can take in the sounds of live music. This open air locale is the host of the Summer Concert Series and ideal for sitting and enjoying an ice cream, pizza, or simply the nearby ocean.
1. Boardwalk
This mile long stretch is the next best thing to the beach. Walk along and observe the yucca along the shoreline. Pro tip: The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is a site to behold. The Victorian style hotel is a grand site for photo opportunities and stunning beachfront views.
Planning a day trip to any beach in the summer will entail accounting for traffic and transportation. If by car, early departure is best as the Coastal Highway increases beachgoer traffic early on. DART bus schedules and drop offs are available throughout the day. If thinking of combining a stay to nearby Cape May, NJ, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a fitting option.
If exploring for the first time or a seasoned repeat visitor, assuredly you will find a sense of discovery and inspiration in this picturesque sector. Happy Beaching!
