I’ll always consider myself a Delaware resident, especially when it comes to the towns of Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach. My family has lived here for over 20 years. Although I may constantly be on the move, the Delaware coast always calls me back. Delaware is an extremely underrated state with appealing attractions for both locals and tourists. Here’s my insider guide to the two neighboring towns – Dewey Beach & Rehoboth Beach – that I currently call home.
I. Dewey Beach Overview
Dewey is a small town south of Rehoboth bordering the expansive line of practically deserted coastline known as the Indian River Inlet. The town has a reputation for drawing in hoards of beachgoers looking for a party at one of Coastal Highway’s famous bars or the occasional beach bash.
For years Dewey has been known as a one season party town, but this has rapidly been changing. Although the town is still home to some of the best bars on the East Coast and its share of group party houses, more and more families & retirees are buying homes in Dewey. My parents included!
II. Rehoboth Beach Overview
Rehoboth is by far the most family friendly beach in Delaware. For this reason, it packs in droves of tourists every summer. The town has an impressive boardwalk that stretches for over a mile and includes everything from high-end jewelry stores to classic beachwear shops.
Rehoboth Avenue is perpendicular to the boards and includes some of the best restaurants by the beach along with cute boutique shops. Far fewer partiers are drawn here as the bar scene is practically nonexistent. In fact, the kids dominate the nightlife in this beach town with a small boardwalk amusement park called Funland staying open late into the night all summer.
III. Getting There & Getting Around
A. Getting To Dewey & Rehoboth Beach
When it comes to taking public transportation to Southern Delaware, the options unfortunately aren’t that great. Dartbus runs from Newark, DE (the most northern part of the state) but it requires a layover in Dover turning an hour and a half trip into an all day ordeal. For this reason, I recommend driving or renting a car to get to Southern Delaware.
B. Getting Around Dewey & Rehoboth Beach
1. Uber & Lyft
both Uber and Lyft are available at the beach and are a good option, especially if you want to avoid Rehoboth’s peak season parking prices.
2. The Jolly Trolley
the Jolly Trolley is another mode of transportation to consider. It is an open air shuttle that runs between Dewey and Rehoboth. The Trolley is a fun option that gets you where you need to be for only a $3 ticket one way or $5 round trip.
3. Bike
The shore is incredibly flat and fun to explore by bike. I’ve personally been doing the ride between Dewey and Rehoboth since I was a toddler and depending on where you’re headed, it’s no more than a 15 minute ride. Plenty of bike stores in Rehoboth will rent to you. One of my personal favorites is Rehoboth Cycle Sports.
4. Walk
Dewey and Rehoboth aren’t even a mile apart, so walking between them is a popular option.
IV. What To Do In Dewey Beach
A. Water sports
The Rehoboth Bay is the perfect place to pick up a water sports hobby! The bay is incredibly shallow (it’s deepest point is only about 7 feet) and many islands are scattered throughout the bay that make for the perfect seascape to explore. Here are a handful of water sports that I’ve attempted. Rental places are scattered across the coast, but Dewey Beach Watersports is a favorite of mine.
1. Kayak
Many Christmases ago, I was gifted a blue tie dye kayak that to this day I still enjoy taking out on the Rehoboth Bay in the summer. Kayaking is a great way to get an arm workout in all while having fun in the sun. Kayak around your launch-point or pack yourself a picnic and try your hand at reaching Thompson Island, an easy ride for a strong kayaker. Even better, reach Dewey’s best bayside restaurant the Rusty Rudder and enjoy an orange crush before paddling home.
2. Jet Ski
Renting a jet ski is great if you’re looking for a bit more thrill in your sport, and Dewey Beach Watersports has them available throughout the summer. The bay is typically pretty smooth and easy to glide across by jet ski.
3. Stand Up Paddle Board
Paddle boarding is a low intensity yet high enjoyment adventure. I personally like to paddle around on my knees as I have no balance, but standing on the water is easy enough.
4. Pontoon Boat
I have many fond memories of taking the dogs & some beer and going out on my neighbor’s pontoon boat in the summer. Lucky for tourists, no neighbor is required! Dewey Beach Watersports rents pontoons by the hour or day. Practice your hand at driving a boat (no experience required!), strap an inner tube to the back and glide through the water or head to an island and join other boats to eat lunch before heading back home.
B. Land Activities in Dewey Beach
1. Join a Volleyball Tournament
At almost every block on Dewey Beach, a volleyball court is open and free to use! BYOB (Bring your own ball) or join in a random group’s game.
2. Tetherball
Much like volleyball, tetherball can be found up and down Dewey Beach as well. Grab a friend and give this classic playground sport a go!
3. Hit The Beach
Dewey Beach is personally my beach of choice in the summer over Rehoboth as it is typically a little less crowded. Dewey also has snack bars at every other entrance which Rehoboth is short of this amenity. Dip your toes in the water, try your hand at body boarding, or just lounge in the sun with a good book in hand.
4. Party!
Ok, so one of the main pulls to Dewey is still the infamous bar scene. Do the full bar crawl! Start at the Northernmost bar, the Starboard, and make your way south. Next in line is Northbeach which is located right on the bay. Northbeach is famous for their Dewey Devil. Jimmy’s Grille and the Bottle and Cork are right beside each other on Highway One. Nalu and the Rusty Rudder mark the southernmost points of the Dewey bar scene. Make sure to end the night with a NY slice of Mama Celeste’s Pizza, located right next to the Starboard.
V. What To Do In Rehoboth Beach
1. Again, Hit The Beach
In Rehoboth you’ll find a lot of families enjoying the sun on the beach, and the shoreline is a bit wider than Dewey’s in most parts.
2. Jungle Jim’s
Jungle Jim’s is a great waterpark off of Coastal Highway that I annually visited as a kid and teenager. It packs in about ten giant water slides, a lazy river, many pools with fun attractions like giant animal floats, a wave pool, a lunch bar, and plenty of places to lounge in and out of the sun. Jungle Jim’s other main attractions include a mini car race track and a fantastic mini golf course for when you need a break from the water. And don’t skip the cheese fries, I haven’t been to the park in a few years and still think about them.
3. Mini Golf
Rehoboth has a handful of fun mini golf courses to try your put at. One of my personal favorites includes Ryan’s Mini Golf, located right on top of a boardwalk beach shop. There is no shade up there, but go on a cooler day or at sunset to enjoy the views of the sea.
Another great mini golf course is Shell We Golf on Coastal Highway.
4. Go To Funland
Funland is a mid-sized amusement park right on the south-side of the boardwalk. It features classic boardwalk games to win prizes. You can also find thrill rides like the sea dragon, the paratrooper, the wild west and the Gravitron. For the more faint of heart, there are plenty of kid’s rides inside and a three story jungle gym.
5. Visit The Cape Henlopen State Park and The Breakwater Trail
The Cape Henlopen State Park is an expansive stretch of untouched coastline. You can visit the beach here which costs $5 for in-state license plates and $10 for out-of-state to park. Also, check out their 8 mile stretch of bike paths and explore the state park by trike (the free way). The trail is all flat, and some parts are shady. If you take it all the way, you’ll hit Rehoboth’s neighboring town of Lewes eventually.
6. Walk The Rehoboth Boards and Avenue
Rehoboth Avenue is a fun destination to bike or take the Jolly Trolley to. The avenue has plenty of great beach stores and boutiques to explore, as does the boardwalk. Some of my personal favorite shops include Quiet Storm, Bella Luna and Browseabout Books. Enjoy an ice cream from The Ice Cream Store which offers over 100 flavors ranging from classic chocolate to their flavor named “better than sex” or maybe even “ghost pepper”, which you have to sign a waiver to try.
VI. Fun Day Trips From Dewey & Rehoboth Beach
1. The Indian River Inlet
The Indian River Inlet is about 15 minutes south of Dewey and is a completely rural stretch of coast with only the highway between the bay and ocean. Take a four wheeler to the beach and drive right on at all hours of the day. Try your hand at fishing here (which is also allowed from 5 pm- 9 am in Dewey and Rehoboth) or enjoy driving over the sand in a jeep. Check out The Big Chill restaurant to eat and drink above the beach or enjoy the sunset.
2. Lewes
Lewes is one of the first towns of America (The first town of the first state!). It is a quieter destination as plenty of retirees flock here in the summertime alongside a few families vacationing on the stretch of bay. The town’s main avenue has plenty of cute shops and restaurants. You can reach Lewes by driving 20 minutes north of Rehoboth or following the Breakwater bike trail all the way.
Lewes is also home to a lot of antique houses with a Cape Cod vibe. Stroll through the residential streets and get lost among them. The bay is far quieter than Dewey and Rehoboth yet still a great place to lounge in the summertime or try kayaking.
3. Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City is about a half hour south of Dewey and is a classic beach city with plenty of attractions to do such as Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Stop before you get there to eat at the famous beach bar Seacrets. Seacrets features plenty of classic beach food and even a bar that you have to walk through the water to get to and tables literally in the bay.
VII. Where To Eat in Dewey & Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth and Dewey have endless food options that I have been enjoying for years. Here’s a comprehensive list of some of me and my family’s favorites in these towns.
A. Best Breakfasts
1. The Starboard: Go to the Starboard in Dewey to enjoy some of the best breakfast at the beach. The Starboard is well known for their bloody mary bar and mimosas that are 90% champagne. Enjoy an Elvis impersonator every Sunday at noon and of course stay for the raging nightlife of the starboard after dark.
2. The Coffee Mill: The Coffee Mill is off of Rehoboth avenue and offers a selection of craft espresso drinks, pastries and bagels.
B. Modern Bistros and Cafes
1. The Green Man Bistro: Go to this restaurant in Rehoboth for a freshly pressed juice, big salad or other healthy selections.
2. Jam Bistro: Jam is home to classic, high-end bistro food such as truffle fries, goat cheese salads and other delicious finds in Rehoboth.
C. Perfect Lunch Spots
1. The Summer House: Try one of their sandwiches and make sure to get a craft beer alongside it. Their fries with blue cheese is another staple of my summer diet. Come here for a nice dinner of steak or fish if you don’t make it for lunch. Located right on Rehoboth avenue.
2. Arenas: Arenas is a classic deli offering 100’s of sandwich options. They make a great reuben, the best nachos on the beach, and one of my personal favorites: a flatbread piled with hummus, veggies and feta cheese called the Yummy Hummy.
D. Classic Beach Food
1. Grottos: Either you love their pizza or hate it, but I love it! In Italy, I missed it. Their pizza has a swirl of sauce and cheese and is truly a Delaware delicacy. Ask for their Pizza Grande for a pizza loaded with extra extra cheese and sausage or go with their classic.
2. Big Fish Grill: Big Fish is right on the highway and offers a great lunch if you’re hoping for something less crowded. Dinners can rack up a two hour wait, but takeout is a great option from here too. Known for giant portions and great seafood.
3. Thrashers: Classic beach fries in Dewey and Rehoboth. No catsup is offered here so don’t even ask, lather them up with vinegar instead!
4. Nicola Pizza: Come here for the famous Nicoboli, a loaded stromboli. Pizza is better at grottos, in my opinion.
5. Wings To Go: Wings to go offers huge servings of bone in and boneless chicken wings in Dewey.
6. Jimmys Grille: Jimmy’s in Dewey is known for their fried chicken. Come to this lunch spot and sit out in the open air or grab a bucket to go and enjoy it for a picnic lunch on the beach.
7. Sharky’s Grill & BBQ: Sandwiches, wings, classic beach lunch or dinner spot offering cheap prices and good food.
E. International Cuisine
1. Go Fish: Classic fish and chips located right on the Rehoboth Avenue.
2. The Cultured Pearl: The Cultured pearl is a favorite sushi & Japanese place right on Rehoboth avenue. The best part: they have a rooftop deck seating area with koi ponds spanning the balcony. If you go at sunset, you’ll have amazing views of the avenue and sea beyond.
3. Stingray: Stingray is located only a few doors down from the Cultured Pearl and is another fantastic sushi option.
4. Dos Locos: Come here for some of the best Mexican food in Rehoboth, and a giant margarita.
5. Touch of Italy: After spending a year in Italy, I can definitely say that this is some of the most authentic Italian food that I’ve had in Delaware. Besides that, they have a great Italian restaurant vibe, fresh pastries and cookies and an antipasti bar.
F. Dinner Spots
1. Salt Air: Salt Air is great, so great it typically has a 2+ hour wait if they even let you in. If you want to eat here, show up at 5 pm during the summer or just enjoy it during the off season.
2. The Dewey Beer Company: The Dewey Beer Co. brews unique beers in house and has an excellent food menu.
3. Fins Ale House and Raw Bar: Fins is great for a seafood feast. Located on Rehoboth avenue and Coastal Highway. I personally love raw oysters, but they have a great menu for those who don’t love these delicacies too.
4. Henlopen City Oyster House: Henlopen is another 2+ hour wait restaurant in the summer and right beside Salt Air. Great for seafood and raw oysters.
5. The Back Porch: The Back Porch is the most high-end restaurant in Rehoboth, and you may need a reservation up to a week in advance for a table. Great food for brunch, lunch or dinner. No matter what time of day you go, you must get the house coffee. It is packed with fine liquors and they flambé it table side.
VIII. Where To Stay in Dewey & Rehoboth Beach
The best way to experience these towns is to rent a beach house through VRBO or AirBnB. If you’re hoping for a Dewey rental look for one either across the highway on the beach side or on one of the streets off of Bayard avenue as this connects the more residential part of Dewey to the wild bars.
If you’re hoping to rent in Rehoboth, look for places close to the avenue or boards and away from North Rehoboth unless you want to be two miles from the beach.
I hope that you love my hometown as much as I do! Have a question? Ask in the comments. And if you’re reading this in the off season I can attest that both towns are lovely in the cold.
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