Chapter 2: What to Do in Coastal Delaware — Activities for Families, Friends and Solo Adventures

The Delaware Coast is a popular destination for all kinds of travelers. Large families, couples and singles enjoy the beautiful beaches, excellent accommodations and endless activities. This chapter features various attractions on the incredible Delaware Coast.

What to Do on Vacation in Delaware

Delaware offers many opportunities to explore the local history, culture, nature and breathtaking coastline. The bustling boardwalks with amusement parks and arcades are perfect for families with young children. The local breweries, wineries and restaurants promote a lively nightlife scene for singles and couples. The state parks, bays and beaches give bird watchers and nature lovers the opportunity to marvel at the local wildlife.

Delaware sparks your inner sense of adventure with unique activities that inspire joy, excitement and relaxation wrapped into one dynamic destination.

Family Activities in Coastal Delaware

Traveling with family is extremely rewarding since it provides plenty of uninterrupted quality time with your kids. However, it can be a bit challenging to plan a trip when every child wants to do something different. Coastal Delaware solves this problem by offering a variety of activities and entertainment in one convenient location. There's something for everyone to enjoy, adults included! Here are just a few family-friendly activities along Delaware beaches:

  • Explore the boardwalk: Take the kids on a stroll down the boardwalk. The boardwalks in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island have delicious treats, toy stores and family-friendly attractions that will surely put a smile on everyone's face. You can enjoy some refreshing ice cream while you pick out matching T-shirts to commemorate your vacation.

  • Experience Funland: If you're staying in Rehoboth Beach, you have to visit the iconic Funland amusement park. With 20 rides and 11 midway games, you can enjoy hours of fun with the whole family.

  • Watch movies on the beach: Several Delaware beaches offer free movie nights on the sand throughout the summer. Grab a blanket and snuggle up under the stars for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

  • Play miniature golf: Put your putting skills to the test at one of the many local mini-golf courses along the Delaware coast. It's an activity that people of all ages can enjoy.

  • Tour the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum: If you're staying in Fenwick Island, visit the Discover sea Shipwreck Museum to explore thousands of artifacts from actual shipwrecks throughout history. You'll also learn about real-life pirates and famous ocean adventures.

  • Visit the Delaware Children's Museum: Make the most of a rainy day by taking your family to the Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. The facility is designed to spark your children's creativity and teach them about science, math and technology in an exhilarating way. There are 11 unique exhibits where children can learn and play for hours.

Coastal Delaware Couples Activities

What's more romantic than watching the sunrise over the ocean or going for a stroll down the boardwalk? Coastal Delaware is a couple's retreat with plenty of daytime activities and bustling nightlife. Consider adding these couples activities in Coastal Delaware to your travel itinerary:

  • Hike through nature: There are many gorgeous hiking trails along the Delaware Coast. Spend some quality time together in the great outdoors surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

  • Book a water tour: There's a wide selection of boat tours and cruises to choose from on the Delaware Coast. Search for dolphins on a daytime tour or watch the sunset on a romantic evening cruise.

  • Sample local breweries: Enjoy a drink together at one of Delaware's craft breweries.There are so many local brews to try! Visit Ocean View Brewing Company near Bethany Beach or Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach.

  • Go out for dinner: Get all dressed up for a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean. Catch 54 in Fenwick Island and Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar in Bethany Beach offer mouthwatering menus and stunning views of the water.

  • Get a couple's massage: A romantic getaway is all about love and self-care.Relax and reconnect with your significant other at one of the local spas.

Shopping on the Delaware Coast

Shop until you drop with zero sales tax in Coastal Delaware! You can find fantastic deals on toys, clothing, home decor and almost anything else you can imagine. Delaware's Coastal Highway has a wide selection of stores for the whole family.

Here are some of the best places to go shopping in Coastal Delaware:

  • Tanger Outlets

  • Penny Lane Malls

  • Rehoboth Toys & Kite Company

  • Tidepool Toys & Games

  • Bethany Beach Books

  • Sea Shell Shop

  • Boardwalks

Coastal Highway Arts and Culture

Delaware is home to dozens of art galleries, museums and historic sites. Consider adding these popular attractions to your travel itinerary:

  • Zwaanendeal Museum: Explore the Dutch heritage of Delaware's first colony at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware. The building is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, to commemorate Delaware's first European settlement in 1631. The museum showcases military, social and maritime history from the Lewes area.

  • Cannonball House: A brief four-minute walk from the Zwaanendeal Museum will take you to The Lewes Maritime Museum at the Cannonball House. This 18th-century home is famous for the cannonball that has been wedged in its side since it was struck during the War of 1812. Though it's served many purposes over the years, it's now a museum displaying important maritime art and memorabilia.

  • Lightship Overfalls: A lightship is like a floating lighthouse. The Lightship Overfalls helped mariners navigate the Boston coast for years. It was moved to a canal in downtown Lewes in 1975 and renamed to honor the lightships that marked the Delaware Bay entrance from 1898 to 1960. The Overfalls Foundation restored the ship and turned it into a floating museum which is now open for tours.

  • Fort Miles Museum: Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park played an important role in our coastal defense following World War II. The indoor and outdoor exhibits include the Battery 519 gun bunker, six barracks buildings, a fire control tower, an orientation building and an artillery park.

  • Rehoboth Art League: The Rehoboth Art League presents over two dozen art exhibitions each year in six different art galleries across their 3.5-acre campus. They also host several arts-driven events throughout the year.

  • Indian River Life-Saving Station: The Indian River Life-Saving Station was built by the government in 1876 in response to an alarming number of shipwrecks off the coast of Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach. It was operated by the United States Lifesaving Service — a precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard. This historic landmark tells the story of what it was like to sail on the Atlantic Ocean during the peak of coastal trading.

  • Fenwick Island Lighthouse: The Fenwick Island Lighthouse is a beautiful piece of history that has stood on the border of Delaware and Maryland since 1856. The 87-foot tower is truly mesmerizing. Visitors can tour the base of the lighthouse which has information and memorabilia that explains the landmark's fascinating history.

Best Beaches in Coastal Delaware

Delaware's beach towns offer unique ambiance and attractions for many different travelers. From bustling boardwalks to serene nature preserves, the Delaware coastline offers something for everyone. You're sure to have a great time no matter where you end up, but here are the most notable differences to help you plan your beachside vacation:

1. Rehoboth Beach

After splashing around in the ocean and building a sandcastle on the beach, you can spend some time at the Funland Amusement Park and Surfside Arcade, playing games and making lifelong memories with your kids. Rehoboth Beach welcomes millions of travelers every year, and is aptly nicknamed the “Nation's Summer Capital.” The iconic mile-long boardwalk has provided visitors with delicious food, shopping and endless entertainment since the 1870s.

2. Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach combines the natural beauty of the ocean with the convenience of food and entertainment just a few steps away. The old-fashioned boardwalk elicits childhood nostalgia with classic beach food and gift shops. You may even catch a free concert at the bandstand during peak season. This quiet town is the perfect place to relax and enjoy fresh local seafood at some award-winning restaurants.

3. Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and adventure. Spanning over 6-miles of coastline, Cape Henlopen features lush forests, diverse wildlife and breathtaking views of the ocean. The beach is surrounded by bike trails, hiking paths, historic sites and the Seaside Nature Center — complete with a live touch tank. There are endless activities for couples, families and travel enthusiasts.

4. Lewes Beach

Lewes Beach is famous for its gentle surf — perfect for older adults and families with young children. You can admire the Delaware Breakwater and Harbor of Refuge lighthouses from the shore. After a long day at the beach, you can cool off with an ice cream cone from Hopkins Farm Creamery, the largest dairy farm in Delaware.

The historic town honors its unique heritage with several museums and military forts. Yet, the area feels lively and youthful with trendy boutiques, restaurants and breweries.

5. Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach is a quaint strip of coastline with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Rehoboth Bay on the other. If you're looking for a lively social scene, Dewey frequently hosts festivals and special events throughout the summer. Kayaking, jet skiing, paddle boarding and boating are also popular at Dewey Beach. It may be small, but it's packed with delicious food and endless entertainment.

6. Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island combines a traditional beach experience with a scenic state park. You can sunbathe on the sand one day and enjoy an eco-tour of the dunes the next. Fenwick Island has a more peaceful and serene vibe compared to more popular Delaware beach towns. It's the perfect location to relax and recharge.

7. Delaware Seashore State Park

Delaware Seashore State Park is the thin stretch of land between Dewey and Bethany Beach. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay there are countless opportunities for swimming and water sports. You can go fishing, surfing, kayaking, hiking, biking, birdwatching and sunbathing all in one convenient location. It's perfect for large groups that enjoy a variety of activities.

8. Slaughter Beach

If you prefer a low-key getaway surrounded by nature, Slaughter Beach is the place to go. This horseshoe crab sanctuary attracts a large population of birds and other wildlife. Bring your water shoes to protect your feet from pebbles and crab shells.

9. Broadkill Beach

Broadkill Beach is a laid-back community that overlooks the Delaware Bay. It's a simple town, but it has everything you need to spend a relaxing day by the shore. The water is shallow and calm — perfect for small children. You may even spot some unique marine life in this horseshoe crab sanctuary.

Plan the Perfect Delaware Getaway

Adventure awaits on the gorgeous Delaware Coastline. With countless attractions and activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience with the people you love most.

Explore the Thompson Island Blog to discover popular bike paths, hiking trails, shopping centers and other exciting activities along the Delaware Coast.