Aleah and I both grew up in South Central PA and like most from the area, spent at least one week a year on the Eastern Shore of Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia. We lived a brief 25 minutes apart from each other, took the same route to and from, and yet had very different Delmarva experiences with regard to the locations we visited and activities our families chose to do. Right after we started dating, we made a trip together and quickly married our ideas of a week best spent by the sea, and we have compiled that list here. To appease my own need to have things in some sort of logical order, let’s go from north to south.
Discover Delaware
Cape Henlopen State Park – This ecologically diverse green space is located just above Rehoboth Beach and offers camping, swimming, picnicking, trails for both biking and hiking, and much more! The 3.3 mile bike loop is a favorite of ours and makes for a very leisurely ride. As far as hiking goes, we love the Walking Dunes Trail which will have your toes in the sand as you stroll over some lightly wooded dunes (2.6mi.) Click here for a park map and take your pick of several other great trails.
Tanger Outlets – Is discount shopping your thing? Tanger Outlets is conveniently located at the entrance to Rehoboth Beach and has all of the large name stores you would expect. We rarely escape Rehoboth without at least cruising through and looking for deals.
Rehoboth Beach – Looking to relax on the beach, do a little seashore shopping, or stroll down a boardwalk? Look no further than the little beach town of Rehoboth! This beach is often viewed as both more family friendly and sophisticated than Ocean City Maryland due to its smaller size, upscale shops, and almost nonexistent boardwalk party scene.
Dewey Beach – If you’re looking to party – Dewey beach is for you. Stop by the Rusty Rudder for some food, a drink, live music, or all three. It’s always a fun time.
Fenwick Island – If you’re looking to do some kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on a bay with an absurd name, this is your spot. Stop in at Coastal Kayak and book some float time on the Little Assawoman Bay. This place has great prices and a super friendly staff. Make sure to book early/call ahead as this popular boathouse can max out reservations fairly quickly. If you didn’t indulge at the Rusty Rudder, I highly recommend Harpoon Hanna’s for lunch or dinner. Fresh seafood and live music, what more could you ask for?
Pro tip: If you enjoy consuming an alcoholic beverage or two and riding shotgun, crack a beer, or mix up a drink for your ride through DE. This state has no laws against a passenger of a vehicle enjoying an adult beverage. Shout out to Aleah for always being the best chauffeur anyone could ever ask for.
Explore Maryland
Ocean City (OCMD) – Ocean City is large, bustling, and in my opinion, the most fun beach in the region because of its liveliness. With a 2.25 mile boardwalk full of bars, restaurants, carnival games, and an amusement park, this spot on the peninsula is the place to be if you are looking for party vibes at the beach. Visiting OCMD also brings a lot of nostalgia for us along with it, as Aleah and I celebrated *several* “Senior Weeks” here in high school and college. Read our full OCMD Travel Guide here.
Seacrets – Now that we’re in OCMD, it’s time to party, and Seacrets is the perfect place to do just that! Seating IN the bay, live DJ’s all day and night, Rum Runners that will have you questioning whether or not you’re still capable of swimming, and an all around huge party atmosphere are the reasons that Aleah and I have been frequenting Seacrets every trip to the beach since turning 21. If you’re not a drinker or don’t want to get wet, they do have plenty of seating on the shore and away from the fiesta. Their food menu is pretty great too. We swear by the seafood quesadilla and the Jamaican nachos.
If you want a look behind the scenes, Seacrets also offers tours of their distillery – which is a true portal back to prohibition. The tour concludes with a visit to a physician-recommend 1920’s speakeasy where you can sample their products. We found taking shots to be the cherry on top of an awesome experience! 😉
Jolly Roger Amusement Park – Jolly Roger has two locations in OCMD and hosts mini-golf, a water park, go-karts, carnival games, and thrill rides. If you’re tired of the saltwater and sand, the water park part of this whole operation is the most sizable and located within the 30th Street location.
Fish Tales – Fish Tales is a bay side restaurant that is quite possibly our favorite in all of Ocean City. Tables in the sand, adult swings, cold beer, and an all around relaxing vibe is what keeps us coming back for more, not to mention the food is on point. Oh and there is popcorn to snack on while you wait for a table.
Crabs – If you’re craving some Maryland blue crabs, hit either Crab Bag or Hoopers – neither will disappoint.
Wockenfuss Candies – Grab a sweet treat from Wockenfuss Candies, a candy store that’s been around for over 100 years and offers some delicious fudge.
Assateague Island National Seashore – If you want to incorporate some nature into your getaway, hit Assateague Island for some wild horses, hiking, biking, fishing and camping. This 37 mile-long barrier island is home to some pretty interesting wildlife, and provides a great way to get out and explore the edge of the continent. While you’re there, check out the Life of the Dunes trail. On your hike, you’ll cross the historic Baltimore Boulevard, a road intended to connect Baltimore to the Eastern Shore, that was destroyed in a 1962 coastal storm and never repaired. It has a very apocalypse-esque feel to it.
Vacation in Virginia
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge – Chincoteague is part of Assateague Island where horses, the beach, fishing, and all other MD Shore things also exist. Kick back and enjoy some beach ponies, marshy hikes, or some salty surf just simply in another state this time.
Ropewalk Restaurant – Ropewalk has what I call “yard games” for kids and adults alike, docks for boat visitors, and once again, tables in the sand. Booking a reservation here guarantees a win in my book. Plus- the food and atmosphere are great. It’s an all around solid spot for lunch or dinner.
Sandy Pony Donuts – Grab some hand made to order donuts at Sandy Pony Donuts. These hot fresh donuts are filling and fun to order. Check out their website before you go so you know exactly what you want because they have 25 different donuts to choose from.
No matter what your into or who you are traveling with, the Delmarva Peninsula has something for everyone to enjoy – which makes the region perfect for your next summer getaway!
