please help,

i am planning a vacation for mid August and am confused as to the best place to go, ocean city,md or lewes,de, or bethany beach, de. I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I am looking for a condo rental or similar right on beach. I am looking for a place that is safe and family oriented, not too busy or crowded, but within a short distance of more activity if we get bored. I would appreciate any advice, as I have never been to either of the 3 places - ocean city, md, lewes, de or bethany, de.
thanks,

deb

Hi Deb,
I have never been to Lewes, DE, but I have been to bethany and ocean city, with my boyfriend's family. In OC, our rule is to stay ABOVE 100 Street. Anything below, closer to the boardwalk, is how my grandmother describes as "honky-tonk." I personally liked bethany better. It was quieter, there were no Scope photograghers endlessly bothering us, trying to take our pictures, and the little town is so much more quaint. plus, NO SALES TAX!! and it is slightly closer to the outlet malls in Rehoboth, DE (again, no sales tax!!!). When we were in Bethany, which is like 7 miles north of OC, we could easlily drive into OC, eat or walk around, and then go back. The place we stayed at in OC was nicer, a condo, on 142nd Str. Both places have stuff for families to do, OC has like 15 times the amount of Bethany, only beacuse OC is so much bigger. My best thought would be to call and see what is available now for august. My boyfriend's family stays every year, but they make thier reservations in march to guarentee they can stay where they want to stay. There are great deals in OC closer to the board walk, but I am 23, and I have NO DESIRE to get any closer to that meat-market- ugh! I hope this helps! Please let me know if there are any more questions...
Sincerely,
Bridget =)

Deb--I vote for Bethany Beach also. It is much more family oriented than OC and yet there is a small boardwalk and a few surrounding shops. You will be within a few minute drive to OC to experience it but with kids you will be much more pleased with Bethany Beach. I've never heard of lewes but Rehobeth and Dewey Beach are also close. It's been a few years since we lived near there but if Cameros subs is still in Rehobeth I'd suggest you stop by for a meal.

Julie

Haven't been to the other 2, but for the last 20 years, I have been going to OC every other summer, we are going there in July this year. But I have friends who have a high-rise condo on the beach. For the last 10 years, we have been taking our kids, 2 boys who are now 11 & 7. It can get alittle crowded at times, but the beach is really nice & we all enjoy that. There is usually some good fishing in the area. We all enjoy going there. We also go to the boardwalk. It really isn't all that bad, but can get crowded, & you need to take the usual precautions that you would take any where. The kids like the boadwalk area & the shops, but there is plenty else to do. But after spending all day on the beach, the kids are not into partying all night anyways. I enjoyed it when I went there when I was single - plenty to do for that age group, & we now enjoy it as a family destination, & once in awhile take 1 of the kids friends, or a neice with us. On a 13th floor condo in a high rise, you can also just get away from it all for awhile.

I'd recommend Lewes. My family used to have a beach house there, and we used to go every summer. Lewes is just north of Rehoboth, right where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The bay is in walking distance from the town. To get to the ocean side, you'll have to drive about 5 minutes into Cape Henlopen State Park. Basically, you can choose whether you want to spend the day at the bay or the ocean. The bay is a lot calmer and probably better for small children. Cape Henlopen also offers some fun things to do, such as bike trails and a nature center.

The town of Lewes is very charming and has some history to it. For a little more excitement, you can always go to Rehoboth, which has a boardwalk.

Keep in mind that I haven't been to Lewes or Rehoboth in about 8 years. I have heard that Rehoboth has become a little seedier than it was when I used to go there. But as far as I know, Lewes is still a great family spot.

If you are really interested in a house to rent in Lewes, email me. I can probably give you some leads.

Deb,

In case you want to email me about rentals in Lewes, my email address has changed to [email protected]

I'm sure you have probably already made your arrangements for a rental by now, but as for things to do, Lewes is a quaint old fishing town that is worth seeing. As a previous poster listed, Lewes does have the bay which is a little calmer for the kids and also gives you the option of the ocean at Cape Henlopen State Park which we always enjoy. I only mention that again because there had been a little more rip tide action than usual when we were there in July although with children that young you are probably okay because you wouldn't allow them out far anyway.

Also since you have children, consider taking a ride to Assateague (just below ocean city)one day to see the wild ponies. I'm in my 30's and still enjoy going over there to see them.

At 2 and 5 they will enjoy either boardwalk (Rehoboth or OC). Ocean City has more for older kids, but at their age they will enjoy either one, so go to which ever one is more convenient to where you are staying.

For anyone else that may be checking these boards for motel info, I like the following reasonably priced motels:
The Beacon Motel in Lewes
Fenwick Islander in Fenwick

Avoid the Angler's Motel in Lewes (It is the worst motel I have ever stayed at, we paid for 2 nights and only stayed 1 and I don't regret giving up $75 dollars to get out of that dump).

I haven't stayed in Rehoboth for about 10 years so I can't give an accurate opinion of any there.

Which ever town you choose, enjoy it. Some of my best childhood memories are of my times at the beach with my family, so hopefully your family will have the same experience.

North Bethany Beach is ideal for families. Quiet, very clean and beautiful surroundings. Far enough from the noise of boardwalks too. We've been going there for a few years now and prefer it over the New Jersey shore.

My wife and I are unabashed Lewes-lovers. And with your two youngsters, the Lewes bayside beach is the place to hangout. Considerably milder than oceanside.

However, you can go over to Cape Henlopen State Park there for a taste of ocean beach and breeze. Plus, there's a dandy little nature center there that will enthrall the young 'uns.

Deb:

I'd suggest calling Prudential for a small house rental at Rehoboth Beach, DE. I did this one year and liked it alot. The average price would be usually $900 or $1,200 a week. You may be too late to get the very best houses since you waited so long to make reservations. You can stay just north or south of Rehoboth's boardwalk. If you wanted to stay closer to OC, you could stay at Fenwick Island, DE, which is the closest location of all in DE, without staying in OC. I only stayed in Fenwick Island overnight but thought the beach was nice. I couldn't really tell when OC ended and Fenwick Island began since there are so many stores around.