Hi - looking for a family vacation. Three young kids under the age of 6. Want beaches that aren't croweded, where our kids will have room to move around a bit. Life guards are not crucial, since our kids aren't really in the water much - especially if the beach isn't crowded. Would like good food nearby - but we mostly eat it. Good ice cream is crucial though!

From what I've heard - Lewes is a lot of retirees, Rehoboth is nice but crowded, Dewey has a lot of college kid rentals, and Betheny is family centric - but how crowded??

Thanks for any insight!

It's summer, so they are all crowded. Lewes would be the least crowded, but the least family friendly.

Lewes would be the best bed for beaches. Lewes Beach is on the bay side, which has much calmer water. You do also have the optin of Cape Henlopen for oceanside surf.

It has been a lot of years since I've been to any of these but I have pleasants memories of two- Rehoboth and Dewey. Rehoboth is expensive but has a fine little boardwalk and rides for young children. It also has delicious institutions like Grotto's Pizza, Nicolo's Pizza and Thrasher's French Fries.

Dewey is more eclectic. Forty years ago when I went as a kid some areas of Dewey had small cottages that seemed almost blue-collar. The beaches were fantastic for riding waves. Today, there is a gay community that dominates the north part of Dewey. Young professionals from Washington often rent cottages for a summer of enthusiastic partying.

Bethany has the reputation as more family friendly. I have never been to Lewes.

Bethany would probably fit your bill, but I would stay away from the huge condo complex there (cant remember the name) as the beach is crowded there. Don't overlook the northern part of Ocean city (near the DE border)-lots of condos to rent there. I think there's actually a bigger selection than Bethany Beach. I found a lot of the bethany rentals are too big for one family-more suited to several families sharing the rental.

Sea Colony is the condo units in Bethany that Rachel is talking about

I would go to Rehoboth -- its great fun for kids, just as GeorgeW describes. Its got quite a mix of people there and if u go furhter away from the main section the beaches are not overcrowded.

Cape Henlopen State Park is not as crowded but the area doesnt have as much for kids to do. It has a beautiful beach and its about 20 minutes or so from Rehoboth.