Just back from a week in Rehoboth…

[Anonymous]

I must say, I don’t get it. Beaches? Unbearably overcrowded. Boardwalk? Boring and repetitive…and the folks there at night. Dining? A handful of pretentious and overpriced restaurants. Otherwise it’s pizza and fries. And the traffic? So much new housing off off route 1 you can’t drive there anymore.


Is it just an old school DC status symbol? I’m not from here…but that’s all I can think of. Old DC money who thinks it’s still a premier beach. We took day trips to Fenwick and North OC. Quite frankly better beaches and better dining options.

[Anonymous]

President Biden has a home in Rehoboth.

[Anonymous]

Yes, all the DE beaches have become more crowded. Us locals who grew up going there still love it for the nostalgia factor, but we recognize how dramatically it has changed.

Here’s what you probably didn’t see: private neighborhoods have uncrowded beaches, and it makes a big difference. The beach by the boardwalk in Rehoboth and Bethany is for rookies (way too crowded). Fenwick has remained largely uncrowded since there’s no real parking by the beach.

As a lifelong Marylander, we still go to the MD and DE beaches—and particularly enjoy it in the shoulder season. But our big beach trips are to the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

[Anonymous]

I agree, OP. I think there was a time where Rehoboth was considered a tonier destination than OC, plus it’s quaint and walkable. But it’s really overcrowded now, and I think OC has nicer beaches and better restaurant variety.

I grew up going to beaches in NJ and New England, and most of them are a much nicer experience than the DE/MD beaches, though most are not as walkable.

[Anonymous]

It’s a dc status thing. You start in ocean city as a college kid and work your way north. A week in rehobeth every year is a sign you’ve “made it” and you can snicker at the oily masses in oc (remember the good ole days in college? But yea the people that go there as adults are trash) or the naive/foolish Bethany beach people that think they can make it your level (they’re trying so hard but just don’t have “it” like we do). It’s really just another ridiculous dmv measuring stick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree, OP. I think there was a time where Rehoboth was considered a tonier destination than OC, plus it’s quaint and walkable. But it’s really overcrowded now, and I think OC has nicer beaches and better restaurant variety.

I grew up going to beaches in NJ and New England, and most of them are a much nicer experience than the DE/MD beaches, though most are not as walkable.

Rehoboth in the 1980s and even early 90s was preppy and far less crowded. Ditto for Bethany which was downright quiet and boring.

OC has remained the same—no dramatic influx of crowds, and walkable in terms of having access to shops and restaurants. North OC is far away from the boardwalk.

[Anonymous]

There are really good dining options in Fenwick and North Ocean City.

[Anonymous]

Beaches are much nicer, wider, and less crowded in OC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree, OP. I think there was a time where Rehoboth was considered a tonier destination than OC, plus it’s quaint and walkable. But it’s really overcrowded now, and I think OC has nicer beaches and better restaurant variety.

I grew up going to beaches in NJ and New England, and most of them are a much nicer experience than the DE/MD beaches, though most are not as walkable.

Agree completely, except that I would never describe Rehoboth or any of the Delmarva beach towns as "quaint."

[Anonymous]

Old school DC, Wilmington, and Philly status symbol.

***see Biden family***

[Anonymous]

Check out One Coastal in Fenwick. You must have a reservation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beaches are much nicer, wider, and less crowded in OC.

Ageeed, but you have to drive. The point of Rehoboth is that it’s a walkable town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Old school DC, Wilmington, and Philly status symbol.

***see Biden family***

Not too many families from DC go there anymore. Most go to OBX. Rehoboth got too expensive. A nice house with a pool is $15,000 a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beaches are much nicer, wider, and less crowded in OC.

Ageeed, but you have to drive. The point of Rehoboth is that it’s a walkable town.

Then deal with the crowds.

I know it was much better in 1988, but those days are long gone.

[Anonymous]

It’s OK to not like things, OP.

We adore Rehoboth. We love Funland, Zelky’s, Sammy’s, Shell We Golf, and music at the bandstand. Our kids have grown up eating Gus & Gus and Dolle’s and strolling those beaches.

Not everything is for everyone and that’s okay.