Stephanie

I'd have to disagree with the person who stated Dewey Beach is for drunk young people. I spent the day there on the beach and saw no public drunk behavior from anyone not even in the restaurant called Rusty Rudder that serves alcohol. Next someone will say don't stay at Rehoboth too many gays. I never even noticed a gay population until someone mentioned it through Fodors in the past. Do people scout out looking for gays? I didn't see much open display of affection from this group of people. Guess I'm too busy having fun and not caring what other people do.

Shortpath

As a former New Yorker now living in Baltimore, in my opinion you will not like OC, Maryland for all of the reasons above - go out to the hamptons instead. If you do decide to go south - how about a few hours more of a drive and rent a house in the Outer Banks?

kaudrey

Stephanie - spending the DAY in Dewey Beach, and spending a weekend there, are two totally different things.

handmaiden

Steph, were does anyone state that there are too many gays in Rehoboth? I simply stated that many gays go to Rehoboth for vacation. Most gay men wouldn't be caught dead in a seedy, tacky environment. That is all that I meant by my comment.

poss

I agree with the thread on Ocean City. BUT: we've been given a condo virtually free for a week in early August, so I'm happy to take it since I adore the ocean. Last time we were there, the only truly good restaurant we found was "Galaxy." (We didn't esp care for any of the others that've been mentioned.) Does anyone know if Galaxy is still there-- or whether there are any other upscale restaurants in that un-upscale town? Thanks! (By the way, we rented a condo on Kiawah Island for several years-- loved the bike paths, the food, and of course the closeness of Charleston, BUT: really really missed the surf. Ocean is flat calm there. Great place otherwise....)

GLMDesigns

Hi - I am from New york and spent some summers in OC - I really liked it. The beach is beautiful, the boardwalk enjoyable and if you have kids there is so much to do. I highly recommend you stay at the Princess Royale which is north a nice area and an easy ride to the boardwalk. A great hotel. You can ask me any questions. Montauk is a another great option. More quiet though.

emd

There is a VERY nice brand new Hilton Suites(oceanfront) about a 1/2 mile sdown from end of the boardwalk in OC. Just opened in early June. Word has not gotten around yet.

Take a look at it online. It is luxurious by OC standards. Two plush rm suites (really separate) plus a kitchen w/granite countertops. Furnishings are simply elegant. Some rooms have private hot tubs on private rooftop garden areas. I have one of those booked for a few nights at end of August. Looking forward to it. That part of the beach is very nice, not crazy like the boardwalk area.

If you have AAA, use it when you check the rates. It is not cheap.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/i...tyhocn=SBYOFHF

Stephanie

Kaud:

if young people drink its all day long not just at nights.

You only stayed a weekend and you are an expert on Dewey Beach and its scene? Oh you have to stay the week so you can know everything. Even more than the people who actually live there.

Stephanie

another point Lotr

i don't have a problem with OC MD but it doesn't have a beach feel to it. Looks like a huge city on the ocean vs. the DE beaches that actually have a beachtown feel with pleasant sidewalks and smaller places to stay that don't overwhelm you.

jerirl

I feel I have to come to the defense of Ocean City, MD. I live in the DC area and have probably been there at least 20 times. No, it isn't fancy or upscale, but I love it anyway. FYI, I am a middle-aged woman with 2 teenagers. Have been all over the world, but for a quick, relaxing trip with the family, it can't be beat.

First, quick clarification. The atmosphere on the weekends is very different than midweek. Weekends have lots more partying singles - midweek is more family oriented. Still, it's always very safe.

It's true there aren't many fancy hotels or restaurants. However, the beach is beautiful and the junk food is world class. I salivate just to think of Thrashers Fries. And you have to love a 3 mile strip (the main boardwalk) that has no MacDonalds or PizzaHuts - all local small businesses. Personally, I prefer to stay near the downtown area - it's more crowded, but you can park your car for a week and relax.

If you want to really get away from it all, you can drive over to Assateague Island (1 hour or less) for the day and enjoy the ponies and a very empty beach.

There's certainly lots to do. Every beach or water activity is available by day (boating, fishing, jetskiing etc) and there are bars and rides at night. Of course, the main activity is strolling the boardwalk, looking in the stores and peoplewatching.

It all depends on what you're looking for. Rehoboth is nice and has better restaurants, but is more expensive and also harder to get a hotel reservation.

Hope you haven't been scared of of OC. I'd be glad to answer more questions, but I'm leaving for Israel tomorrow.

Good luck.

emd

Regarding your comment about lack of fancy hotels: check out that new Hilton Suites I referred to in my post above...if that isn't very very nice, i don't know what very very nice is.

Stephanie

The key word is 2 teenagers. If you have offspring that have MTV attention spans and their minds need entertained 24/7 its perfect, lots of noise.

LOT seemed to imply that it wants a location that isn't that way. Therefore a trip to Cape May or the Rehoboth/Dewey Beach area might be for that person. If said person wants a really silent beach try Bethany Beach or any of the Delaware State Beaches (excluding Cape Henlopen). Very empty when I went in the beginning of August in 2000.

chasechow

Grew up back near Rehoboth Beach, DE and was just back there for a week. Have also been to OC, but not in recent years, although we went through there on our way back.

I can't speak for the crowd in OC, but the one thing that I noticed right away is the amount of lodging options, right on the beach. Hotels and condos. Rehoboth doesn't have as many options on the boardwalk/beach and what they do have can be pretty pricey.

That being said, we had rented a condo (required 7 day rental) that was at the north end of the boardwalk. We vacationed with daughter, SIL and grandson. It was their first visit and they LOVED it. It was relaxing, yet they enjoyed strolling the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue, checking out the various shops.

Food was pricey and the fare was, for us, unusual. One place offered rabbit and guinea on the menu (which is unusual for us anyway). We love going to the "landmark" places like Grottos, Nicola's Thrashers, and Dolles.

The beach (in my opinion, and I live in Virginia Beach), is not as nice in Rehoboth. The beach area at Cape Henlopen State park down the road is nicer. It's not as wide as I remember it being and due to replenishment, the bottom of the ocean has a very rocky/stoney bottom. There is also an unusual drop off that a lot of people back there were complaining about. You are waist deep one minute and over your head the next.

This area is nicer than VA Beach in a way due to the authentic boardwalk and the "Quaintness" of it, but overall VA Beach is prettier than any of these areas in my opinion.

emd

chasechow and others: Since you are talking now about VA Beach (and since OP LOTRHP has gotten so much feedback and has never posted back on this thread, I feel safe in asking this on that person's thread)-- I have 4 days in late August booked at the new Hilton Oceanfront in OC. But I can get a great deal on a very nice oceanfront hotel in VA Beach. I am just wondering how much there will be to do there in VA Beach w/my 13 yr old daughter, as we are going on this getaway alone together. In OC we can shop and there are other amusements (and can perhaps go to the outlet stores and walk around in Rehobeth one afternoon).

But on my trips to VA beach I have not seen that much going on for a kid her age...any thoughts?

chasechow

EMD - Off the top of my head, here are a few things that your daughter might enjoy. Both the Virginia Marine Science Museum and Oceanbreeze are located within 3-5 miles from the oceanfront.

1. Virginia Marine Science Museum - www.vmsm.com. Some exhibits includelarge aquarium, a shark aquarium, touch tanks, stingray touch tanks, sea turtles, and habor seals. They also offer dolphin watching cruises and have temporary exhibits that come through. Also offers Imax theater with different programs.

2. Oceanbreeze Water Park - www.oceanbreezewaterpak.com. Is a great waterpark with lots of slides/water rides and huge wave pool. Also located here but is considered part of the Oceanbreeze Fun Park compound, is a couple of putt putt golf courses, and various go-cart options.

The main street (Atlantic Avenue) has a lot of shops and restaurants and there are a couple of "haunted houses" to check out. There are a couple of small amusement park ride arcades which offer the type of rides that perhaps you would see at a state fair. There are also several putt putt golf courses one street over, up and down Pacific Avenue. There is a bike path that runs parallel to the boardwalk and bike/rollerblade rentals are available.

The website www.vbfun.com may also cover some other options for you and www.beachstreetusa.com provides listing of the music/entertainment schedule of things that are always going on down at the beach.

Hope this helps.

emd

That is very helpful, thank you! Now I have to decide- shell out the big bucks for a new Hilton OC or take the great deal (three nights oceanfront for just a little more than the price of one night in OC!). I am leaning towards VA BEach now.