lolfn

We are planning to take a day trip to one of the beaches along the DE/MD shore someday soon midweek. We have a 4 and 5 year old.

Which beach has the best facilities for a day trip? ... public restroom access, places to eat lunch/get snacks, fun for young kids, etc.

Thanks!

lolfn

ttt

RuthMc

Probably Ocean City MD. It has the most of everything and the greatest variety. Rehoboth and Dewey are more for the older (20+) crowd.

AnnMarie_C

My sister and her husband prefer to take their kids to Rehoboth Beach.

yestravel

I vote for Rheoboth, DE.

GeorgeW

When I was a Kid in the late 60s and early 70s we used to do day trips to Dewey all the time. Changed clothes at a public access between Dewey and Bethany. Took in Grottos Pizza and Thrashers French Fries for supper. However, I don't know whether that is possible any longer.

Devonmcj

There's a public day beach area at Fenwick Island SP that has beachside parking, a snack bar and bathhouses. You'll probably want to bring an umbrella and lots of beach toys.

Assateague Island SP has the same sort of day beach area with a snack bar and bathhouses. The parking area at Assateague is larger, which might make it more convenient since both areas fill up fast in the morning.

chasechow

Where would you be traveling from? Just curious. Either way, my choice would be Rehoboth Beach. Has boardwalk, lots of choices of places to get lunch/snacks, public restrooms and has a little amusement arcade with kiddie rides. A relaxing family atmosphere.

Dukey

I would also vote for Rehoboth or perhaps Bethany; they are more manageable than OC IMO especially if you have never been to any of them before.

Frankly, I think the boarwalk area at rehoboth is more pleasant to look at and be on than the one in OC but that's obviously a very subjective feeling from someone who is no longer in the under 20 group.

lolfn

thanks for the input. i think i'm leaning toward rehoboth or fenwick island. we live in st. michaels so it is 90 min to either rehoboth or ocean city for us.

is there convenient public parking in rehoboth or is it mainly street parking?

lizziea06

Definitely Dewey or Rehoboth...OC is kind of trashy, IMO. And this was an opinion formed when under the age of 20.

Edye

Rehoboth Beach - for young kids it's great. Don't forget a stop at Funland, a small amusement park right on the boardwalk. My family (kids now 9 and 11) still go every year and have since they were born.

Dick

Rehoboth is very family oriented and compact. You could park your car, even for a week, and walk to everything.

At the age of your kids....Funland in Rehoboth offers a nostalgic funhouse.

http://www.funlandrehoboth.com/

Rumrita1

Most of the parking in town Rehoboth near the boardwalk is metered, though some sections at the end by Silver Lake are by permit. There are bathroom facilities along the boardwalk at Baltimore Ave and near Funland (around Delaware Ave), also behind the bandstand on Rehoboth ave. Here's a map of downtown:
http://www.rehomain.com/map.html

The best choices for food, activities will be in town, but if you don't really want bother with town, then the best facilites will be at one of the Delware state beaches. Though Gordon's Pond in Rehoboth is my favorite, it only has port-a- potties.
http://www.destateparks.com/frontgraphics/places.htm

If you don't want to shell out the cash for Funland, there are playgounds, one near Lake Gerar behind the Henlopen Hotel and another (bigger one) as you drive into/out of town near the Chamber of Commerce at Grove Street.

beachbum2

We have 2 properties in DE and hands down Rehoboth for the day. If you want a bit lower key, Bethany Beach is also very nice. Funland rides in Rehoboth are great. You can buy $10 worth of ride tickets and both kids will ride enough to make them happy. All games are $1.00 and easy to win at something. There are good restaurants at both beaches as well as restrooms and plenty of snack places. There is not much in Fenwick except the state park beach (which is very nice) If you want the boardwalk food/people experience Rehoboth.