HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF REHOBOTH BEACH DELAWARE?
 

After visiting Colonial williamsburg in June, we are thinking of visiting Rehoboth Beach. Has anyone visited there? Is at a lovely beach town or are there other areas to suggest for a couple and 11 year old son?

Well, sure I've heard of Rehoboth Beach, especially since I myself live in Newark, Delaware. Hmmm...you're looking for a nice quiet beach town? It sounds like Bethany Beach, DE is more your speed. Bethany is mostly a quiet, resort type community, while Rehoboth attracts a lot of teens and college students. By all means stay away from Dewey Beach, which is our big college summer partying ground. Even if you stay in Bethany, Rehoboth is only about 15 minutes south of there and makes a great day's excursion, whether for the beaches, the boardwalk (you MUST get Thrasher's fries and Grotto pizza!), or the great outlet shopping. But beware, Rehoboth is very crowded in the summer, and I've heard the erosion has taken quite a bit away from what was already tight space, but the boardwalk is great and the restaurants are the best in Delaware. So, if I were you, I'd stay in Bethany and use their beach, and go for fun excursions to Rehoboth. If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail me.

You may wish to consider Cape May, New Jersey. A lovely seaside town full of gorgeous Victorian homes, buildings, Inns and B&B's. We spent the week after Labor Day here and never ran out of wonderful things to do. Lots of interesting tours (especially enjoyed a horse and carriage ride through town after dark with the gaslights glowing - like a step back in time), Many wonderful side trips. One was the ferry to Lewes, Delaware, where we picked up a shuttle bus to Rehoboth. We strolled the shops along the beach and had lunch on the terrace of a beautiful hotel and were thrilled to find several Maryland blue crab dishes on the menu. If you want to stay right on the ocean and spend a lot of time on the beach, this is your place. But, we were satisfied with just spending the afternoon there.

I go to Bethany Beach for vacation every year (my brother owns a house there). It is a great place to lay on the beach and read a book. It is a quiet, family beach. I agree with the previous response about the other beaches near there. All of them are fairly close together and some seem to attract college students. In general there are plenty of miniature golf courses, movie theaters, and restaurants all around the area. The crab is great and boardwalk fries can't be beat!

I am also from Newark, DE - and grew up going to Rehoboth. Bethany is very nice as is Fenwick also a family beach. For first timers there is lots to do. Beach has been hit hard in Rehoboth, but you really need to take a drive to Lewes, DE (10min from Rehoboth) -very lovely small town on the water and also to Cape Henlopen State Park - Call the State of Delaware Tourism Agency for any information you might need. But if you go - you'll want to come back. But remember it is busy.....

Now that you've been thoroughly scared away from Rehoboth Beach (and for good reason), you may want to consider a few other Atlantic resorts. Bethany Beach is a good suggestion, but has few rentals. If you can find one, however, Delaware Shore state park is immediately adjacent to Bethany and offers 10 miles of pristine, white Atlantic Ocean beach. Lewes, about 5 miles north of the dreaded Rehoboth Beach, has ample rentals and is adjacent to Cape Henlopen state park, another great park marred only by a decision to allow cars on parts of the beach. The suggestion of Cape May is an excellent one. The heart of the town is a trip back to 1880, with hundreds of Victorian houses, almost all of them offering inn-style lodging. Your son will appreciate the broad beach; you'll like the town's ambience. By all means, take the ferry across from Lewes; it's a 70-minute adventure all by itself.

ocean city is a very family oriented place. lots of people and things to do. it a mecca place for maryland citizens and very touristy but fun. go to the southern part near the actual city for more charm

Check out web page: www.atbeach.com/index.html - this might help you.

You might also think about Virginia Beach (much closer to Wmsbrg) or, my favorite, the Outer Banks of North Carolina (Kitty Hawk, Duck, Corolla). Great body-surfing!

I am a Rehoboth Beach native... its a great town, with lots to do and many family activities, including a bustling boardwalk, and free concerts at a central bandstand on the main avenue. a lovely place to spend a vacation. but i will warn you that it is becoming more and more populated with people and businesses, and on busy weekends (holidays especially) it can be more of a headache than its worth. i think rehoboth beach is best visited in the fall (sept) when the weather is still warm, shops are all still open and the crowds are GONE. bethany is also nice, but much more quiet, and i can very highly recommend Lewes, and the adjacent Cape Henlopen State Park, which has gorgeous broad beaches, great facilites, and great hiking and sports activities. have a lovely time whatever you do! <BR>

<BR>we spent last week on the eastern shore of Maryland-homebasing in St.Michaels and taking day trips to the areas around.Your son might enjoy a day sail on the Chesapeake -easily arranged from Tilghman Island.There are lots of preserved historic homes in Oxford, Easton and St.Michaels but none of it as organized as Williamsburg.The area had the feel of an undiscovered Cape Cod.We rented bikes one day and had a great time.Newark, DE was a real find and we enjoyed walking around and looking at the historic homes.Another possibility is Annapolis Maryland and environs.We took a walking tour there given by a lady in l8thcentury dress.There is lots to see there. <BR>

I'd choose Bethany Beach over Rehoboth.

Judy - if you have a 11 year old then I would recommend Ocean City Maryland first and Bethany Beach Delaware second. Ocean City has so much for families it's great - and you'll spend, spend, spend. Bethany is much more beachy - spend your time on the beach.<BR>We've been going to OC, Rehoboth, Bethany and Dewey for years and for the kids - Ocean City with its 3 amusement parks and huge boardwalk can't be beat.

I would choose Rehoboth over any of the others. Much better scenery there (at the beach). Of course the area is crawling with queers so you'll have to look the other way to avoid gagging on that vision. Yuk!

This post is 4 years old! Her son is now 15 & I'm sure she has come & gone by now.

But the posters' information remains accurate -- in others can rely on it in 2002.

Another vote for Rehoboth. My husband and I took our 12 year old there a few years ago, and aside from the high prices for accommodations, we all liked it. There was plenty to keep our son occupied, and it seemed extremely safe and clean. The amusement area was family-friendly, and not seedy. We enjoyed a community concert on the green. Then, we weren't aware of Bethany, or we might have gone for that option - it sounds very nice.<BR>There was one downside: the riptide and wave action was wicked - be careful!

OK, I've never been, but isn't Rehoboth Beach kind of a mecca for beach-going gay tourists? (I am gay, so this isn't meant as a slight.) Something to consider if that's a concern for you.

Yes, Rehoboth is one of the east coast beaches that attracts a large gay population. If you're homophobic or are a bigot, go elsewhere. <BR><BR> But for my family (wife and 2 kids ages 10 and 13), it is a wonderful beach town that we visit almost every summer. Personally, I feel the gay population adds to the appeal of the town. They own or work at many of the establishments. There are wonderful quaint shops throughout the town and the restaurants are about the best I've come across of all the east coast beach towns I've visited over the years. There's a nice mile-long boardwalk that's great for strolling or bike-riding. The town is not overtaken with hotels, many homes in residential areas that can be rented. It is very clean, safe, and well-maintained. Rehoboth is close to Ocean City if you prefer honky tonk beach life for a day. There's great outlet shopping nearby.<BR><BR>I would recommend Rehoboth for families like yours.

Paul, whoa, no need for the chastizing. Rehoboth is known as a place where gays hang out. People can make decisions for themselves whether they want to stay there or not. Whether you are homophobic or not I wouldn't let that stop me from going.