Summer at the Delaware beaches looks a little different depending on who you ask. Some people are perfectly happy spending six straight hours in a beach chair with a book and a cooler nearby. Others are already halfway through a bike ride before most people have finished breakfast. Some plan their day around oysters and happy hour reservations, while others are chasing live music, keeping kids entertained or making sure the dog gets included in every stop.
The good news? There isn’t a wrong way to do summer here.
The Keep It Movin’ Crowd
For those that don’t vacation to relax.
Morning
Start with a run along the Rehoboth Boardwalk while the town is still waking up.
Afternoon
Keep moving and head to Dewey Beach Watersports for jet skis, paddleboards or kayak rentals.
Insider Tip: The bay side is usually calmer for beginners trying paddleboards or kayaks.
Evening
Head to Dave Marshall Tennis & Pickleball Center in Lewes for a few matches before rewarding yourself with burgers and beers at Big Oyster Brewery (ping-pong in the backyard count as cardio).
The Party-Hardy Crew
The beach is the destination. The friend group is the reason.
Morning
Nobody in this category is setting an alarm. Ease into the day with brunch at The Starboard where Bloody Marys and orange crushes are practically part of the menu.
Afternoon
Claim a stretch of sand in Dewey and spend the day rotating between swimming, beach games and group photos you’ll forget to post. Day-drinking comes with no judgement here.
Insider Tip:Pick a meeting spot before everyone scatters. A beach umbrella is not a landmark.
Night
Now things actually start. Catch live music at Bottle & Cork, grab drinks at Rusty Rudder or North Beach, and end up at Nalu Surf Bar where the crowd somehow always seems ready for one more round.
Late-night food can only mean one thing: Woody’s crab cakes and fries.
Insider Tip: For groups wanting to venture out, without designating a driver, hop on the Jolly Trolley – a seasonal Rehoboth-Dewey shuttle runs all summer long.
The Beach Bum
Maximum relaxation. Minimum movement.
Morning
Skip the crowded municipal sands and start your day somewhere quieter. Head toward Gordon’s Pond or Herring Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, where the vibe is slower and the soundtrack is mostly waves and seabirds instead of tourists vying for a spot in the sand. Grab coffee and breakfast from The Station on Kings or pick up pastries and coffee from Old World Breads on your way. Before heading to the beach, stop at Lloyd’s Market or Touch of Italy and build your beach-day cooler situation: sandwiches, drinks, snacks and all the things you’ll inevitably wish you had later.
Insider Tip: Locals know the earlier you arrive, the longer your beach day feels. By 9 a.m. you can already feel like you’ve stolen a few extra hours of summer. And by 10 a.m., the lines to enter the park can get long, especially on busy Saturdays, the park will occasionally shut people out when it gets too full. Don’t be that person.
Afternoon
Stay put. That’s the entire philosophy here. Read a book. Walk the shoreline. Pretend you’ll only stay another 20 minutes and then somehow remain there for three more hours. Since you packed ahead of time, lunch becomes sandwiches on the beach instead of abandoning your setup and fighting summer traffic. If you need a break from the sand, drive less than a minute down the road to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal where Grain on the Rocks offers tons of outdoor waterfront seating and pretty views.
Evening
Finish the day by leisurely strolling downtown Lewes and the Canal. Grab ice cream from King’s and sit in Canalfront Park watching boats drift through the harbor before heading home.
The Outdoor Explorer
Trails, bikes and spending an entire day under the sun, without stepping foot in the sand.
Morning
Start the day outdoors from the beginning. Grab coffee to-go from Gaia Coffee Co. or fuel up with an açaí bowl from Bountiful Bowls, then take your breakfast somewhere with fresh air and sunshine before the day really gets moving.
Insider Tip: This is one of those days where flip-flops will betray you. Wear sneakers now and thank yourself later.
Late Morning & Afternoon
Head over to Seagreen Bicycle, conveniently located right along the Junction & Breakwater Trail in Lewes, and rent bikes before heading toward Rehoboth. The roughly six-mile ride into Rehoboth is flat, scenic and beginner-friendly, winding through marshes and wooded stretches before delivering you right into beach-town energy.
Once you roll into Rehoboth, don’t immediately turn around. Spend some time exploring on two wheels. Cruise the boardwalk, weave through side streets lined with beach cottages and stop wherever the day takes you. Grab a cold drink, split an order of fries, duck into a shop or just park the bikes and people-watch for a while.
Insider Tip: The best part of biking here is skipping the summer parking headaches everyone else is dealing with. But be sure to leave yourself enough time to pedal back.
Evening
Finish the day at Crooked Hammock Brewery where lawn games, hammocks, picnic tables and backyard-style energy make it feel like you’re hanging out at someone’s house. Grab dinner and a cold beer, challenge someone to cornhole and settle into one of the hammocks as the sun starts dropping.
The Family Fun Squad
Keeping kids happy and everyone entertained.
Morning
Start with Funland on the Rehoboth Boardwalk where kids can jump from kiddie rides to the Sea Dragon while parents pretend they’re only there for the children.
Afternoon
Cool off at Jungle Jim’s River Safari Water Park or head over to Midway Speedway for go-karts and mini golf.
Insider Tip: Trips to theme parks become a much less expensive outing if you start later in the day, hit up off-peak pricing deals like Jungle Jim’s Twilight pass.
Evening
Slow things down with a boardwalk walk, arcade games and a stop at The Ice Cream Store or Kohr Bros before heading home. Plus, a stop into Candy Kitchen is pretty much a kid’s rite of passage in this beach town.
Insider Tip: Avoid the impatient rants from the backseat while you circle endlessly trying to find parking by boarding the DART bus which loops between the Boardwalk, Rehoboth Park & Ride, and Lewes Transit Center every few minutes (bonus points for not having to pay the meters!)
The Food Hunter
Vacation is just an excuse to eat all day.
Morning
Start with brunch at Egg in Rehoboth or Dewey Post in Dewey (both get crowded but offer outdoor dining).
Afternoon
Build your day around snacks and happy hour. Grab oysters at Henlopen City Oyster House, a beer at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats or small plates at Salt Air.
Insider Tip: If there’s a wait list somewhere, put your name in and wander around.
Evening
Go all in at places like Drift, The Pines or Heirloom. Order dessert even if everyone says they’re too full.
Insider Tip: Make a reservation ahead of time.
Night
Wrap up with rooftop sushi and cocktails at The Cultured Pearl before the sun goes down.
The Arts & Culture Wanderer
Live music, galleries, markets and cool local finds.
Morning
Take a trip to The Brush Factory on Kings in Lewes to browse local art, studios and creative vendors. Head over to Lewes Historical Society and the Cannonball House for a peek back in time.
Afternoon
Head to Rehoboth Art League campus. Wander Gallery 50 or browse shops and creative spaces downtown like Heidi Lowe’s jewelry studio.
Evening
Catch a show at Clear Space Theatre or bring a chair and a drink to the Rehoboth or Bethany bandstand for live summer music. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting on a Monday or Friday, finish the day at West Side Creative Market where local artists, makers, vintage vendors and food options create an open-air atmosphere that feels more like wandering through a neighborhood gathering than a traditional market.
The Dog Parent
The dog is coming, obviously.
Morning
Start with a beach walk at Herring Point or Delaware Seashore State Park while temperatures are still cool and crowds are light.
Insider Tip: Each town has their own rules for different times of the year. During summer, there are typically more restrictions so be sure to check before heading out!
Afternoon
Grab lunch with your pup at dog-friendly patios like Woody’s, Somewhere, Big Chill Surf Cantina or Nalu Surf Bar.
Evening
Wrap up with a canal walk in Lewes or stop at Salty Paws, in Rehoboth, for a homemade, frozen pup-cup before heading home with sandy paws and an entire camera roll dedicated to your dog.
