8 Best Delaware Towns For A Weekend Trip
Delaware, the nation’s very first state, also known as the Blue Hen State, has a lot of hidden gems, such as beach towns and resorts, for the discerning weekender looking for something a little different from the Jersey Shore or Ocean City, MD, making it the perfect destination for a weekend trip to the Mid-Atlantic. Delaware has a wonderful shoreline with excellent communities that are worth a trip, along with possibly exploring other inland towns in the area. No matter how big or small the city, you'll always have an enjoyable time with your friends, family, and loved ones in these eight heartwarming communities.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is a city with a population of just over 1,200 people. Rehoboth Beach is a part of the ever-growing Cape Region of Delaware. Rehoboth Beach has an excellent boardwalk, shopping, and nightlife for anyone wanting to experience a beach town for the weekend further south of the Jersey Shore. The Penny Lane Mall is a nice small outdoor mall filled with shops for locals and tourists. The boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach (which was originally built in 1873) is one mile long and has access to the city's main attractions, including easy access to the beach. If sand isn't someone's thing, the Rehoboth Beach Museum is a wonderful alternative for families to explore and learn more about the city's history. Funland is a historic amusement park that opens up during the summer months and offers a lot of exciting activities for families to take part in, from bumper cars, boats, and fire engines (which have been in service since 1947) to endless games, and Superflip 360, to name a few. Rehoboth Beach is a very vibrant beach town to explore and come back to, especially during the summer months. This would be a nice alternative to a packed Jersey Shore.
Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island is at the very south end of Sussex County, Delaware, on the Delaware-Maryland State line. With a population of 343, it is another laid-back beach town to explore in the Blue Hen state for anyone wanting to explore an alternative to Ocean City, MD. Similar to Rehoboth Beach, Fenwick Island has a boardwalk that is 100 feet long and offers eating stops, endless amounts of beach to explore, and the Viking Amusements and Thunder Lagoon Water Park. Something visitors can do at Fenwick Island that you can't do in Rehoboth Beach includes kayaking and paddle boarding. You can explore a small bit of the local bays, coves, and the Atlantic Ocean with ease when renting a kayak, sailboat, or paddleboard. The Fenwick Island State Park is also open all year round, where visitors can fish, disc golf, hunt, dine in the park, and much more. The Discoversea Shipwreck Museum is also in town for any history buff craving to learn more about Fenwick Island's history. The Museum is closed during the winter months for renovations but reopens during the spring. Fenwick Island also has great restaurants and gives visitors a warm welcome, just a stone's throw away from Ocean City, MD.
Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach is a beach town located on the shoreline of Sussex County, Delaware, with a population of 1,060. A great place to start exploring the crisp beach is the Bethany Beach Boardwalk, which is 0.38 miles long and 12 feet wide. You can find the local Residence Inn on the boardwalk, local restaurants from Mango's, Zoca Restaurant, Lili's Place, and much more for visitors to explore. Bethany Beach is a part of "the Quiet Resorts" along with Fenwick Island. Beaches aren't the only attraction. The Bethany Beach Nature Center has visitors covered, with wildlife exhibits for visitors to explore, teaching everyone of all ages about wildlife and much more. One interesting landmark to see or travel to if you're traveling from Rehoboth Beach is the Loop Canal. Originally completed in 1910, the Loop Canal allowed visitors of Bethany Beach to travel by boat from the Rehoboth Beach train station. Another unique landmark to see that's not in either Rehoboth Beach or Fenwick Park is Chief Little Owl, a Totem pole right on the entrance of downtown Bethany Beach and Delaware Route 26, which is a symbol of the town, as the pole represents the history of the Nanticoke Native American tribe. Bethany Beach is a must-visit beach town for anyone looking for a nice relaxing weekend away from the city.
Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach is a small and relaxing beach town in Sussex County with a population of 353 residents. If you enjoy vibrant and exciting nightlife, Dewey Beach has you covered, as there are party boats available for rent from the likes of Sea Rocket Adventures based in the town for a memorable weekend on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Sunset platoon boat-riding and windsurfing lessons are also available in the area for watersports fans and those wanting a relaxing boat ride. There are plenty of exciting local restaurants, bars, and clubs in Dewey Beach, from the likes of Fifer's Farm Kitchen, Nalu Surf Bar, and many others. An iconic natural landmark to explore near Dewey Beach is Gordon's Pond, a reservoir within Cape Henlopen State Park, where visitors can bird-watch and be one with nature. The John Waples Memorial Playground is in town for anyone looking for some family fun outside of the water, whether you're visiting town for the weekend or newly moved into the area looking for some fun family activities. Right next to the playground is the Rehoboth Bay Marina, where visitors can explore the bay by boat rental or enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on the water. Whether it's family fun or exploring the bars at night, Dewey Beach is a great place to plan a weekend trip.
South Bethany
In the middle of Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, South Bethany is a beach town with 451 residents and a wide range of beach activities. Just outside of town, the World War II watch tower, right on the beach, is a unique attraction worth visiting. It gives visitors a glimpse of history and an excellent view of the town and the ocean. South Bethany also has the local York Beach Mall, which is home to local restaurants and shops. Of course, South Bethany Beach is in the area for residents and visitors to enjoy their warm summer days and explore during a quiet and sunny winter afternoon. South Bethany is a small and simple town, but it's in an excellent location for all summer adventurers, from weekenders looking to visit the beach to potential future residents.
Lewes
Lewes is a city in Sussex County with a population of 3,303, and as it mentions in the motto, it was the first city founded in the state from its incorporation back in 1631. Visitors of Lewes who travel from New Jersey can make their way from the Delaware Memorial Bridge and drive south or can access a ferry in Cape May, NJ, which will drop you off in Lewes. The ferry is a unique way to cross the state line. However, reservations are required before boarding. Like many towns on this list, Lewes is a very nice beach town with beaches (the Savannah Beach and the Johnny Walker Beach) for the summer fanatics. However, one thing Lewes has that many of the towns on this list don't have are fishing piers like the Cape Shore Fishing Pier and the Fishing Pier Cape Henlopen. Just the thing for the folks looking to sit on the bay all day waiting to catch the big one. If you're looking to cool down, the Hopkins Farm Creamery is in town and serves farm-made ice cream. Lewes also has the Zwaanendael Museum, which allows visitors to learn more about the history of the city and the state. Another fun destination in Lewes is the Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse, built in 1885, which is one of the state's oldest lighthouses. Lewes is a unique small city to visit, which has nice beaches, nice spots for fishing, and plenty of local history, shops, and restaurants to explore and dine in.
Millsboro
Millsboro is a town located in the heart of Sussex County, with a population of 7,637. Millsboro may not be a beach town like the other destinations on this list, but it has a wonderful and unique charm all its own. Millsboro is right on the banks of the Indian River, which flows out to the Indian River Bay, and then eventually flows further out to the Atlantic Ocean. Millsboro has plenty of history to it, with the Nanticoke Indian Museum, which explores the rich history of Native Americans who lived in the area. There is a five-dollar admission fee to get into the museum, with the funds going to keep the museum operating. Millsboro also has the Peninsula Golf and Country Club, the first private golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus in the state. The course and holes, which have exquisite nature all around, run along the Indian River and Lingo Creek, giving visitors and members a memorable experience on the green. There's also the Winswept Stables, which provides visitors with horseback riding lessons, something you don't get in any of the beach towns on this list, and a weekend story visitors will never forget. Millsboro has a unique charm and is very close to the Delaware Coast for anyone who wants to explore the beaches.
Selbyville
Similar to Millsboro, Selbyville is more inland and has a population of 2,878, and just like Fenwick Island, Selbyville is right on the state line separating Delaware and Maryland. Something visitors will find in Selbyville that is not in any of the coastal towns is the Delaware Seaside Railway Museum, a wonderful nonprofit organization promoting model railroads for the whole family and visitors alike to see. For any visitor looking for some family fun and theatrics, the Freeman Arts Pavilion outdoor performing arts venue is in town for anyone looking to enjoy local plays. Another fun attraction to see is the Selbyville Town Park, which is open from dawn till dusk, a nice local park for families to enjoy on a nice weekend away from the city. The park has pickleball courts, bathrooms, and concession stands. However, you have to reserve the amenities on a first come, first served basis, according to the town website. Two local restaurants to check out in Selbyville are the On the Way Cafe and Taste of the South Street Kitchens, as both serve warm breakfast and lunch and will leave visitors very satisfied with a local experience. Selbyville may be a very small and local inland community, but for a weekend, it's worth a trip just to take a break from the stress of the office or your apartment in the city.
Each of these eight towns has its own unique charm and flavor, whether you're looking to head to the beach or exploring more inland towns like Selbyville and Millsboro. The Delaware Coast is underrated compared to the iconic Jersey Shore and Ocean City, MD. Next time you're looking for a weekend at the beach, or an exploration of our nation’s founding history, definitely plan a visit to any of these eight towns on the Delaware Coast.
