Rent a house at Virginia Beach North End (above 44th Street).
Super wide uncrowded beaches where you can actually star gaze because dark at night. Almost empty to walk mornings and evenings.
A 5 minute drive or bike to VB restaurants/ nightlife/ attractions. Very nice Virginia Aquarium 15 minutes south.

I think you’d prefer Bethany or Lewes (and I say that as someone with a house in Rehoboth). Disagree with PP that they’re dead (though Lewes is a bay beach, not ocean, fyi).

If you’re used to New England, I don’t think OC would be your cup of tea.

My family loves Bethany. It’s quieter than Rehoboth; but close enough that we can go a couple of times for Funland.

Where to stay in Chincoteague? Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rehoboth is more family-oriented and traditionally has an LGBTQ+ presence.

Dewey is drunk singles. 20-somethings piled into group houses.

Lewes and Bethany are pretty dead. Not much town life. No boardwalk.

With what you describe, I'd pick Rehoboth.

Bethany has a boardwalk.

+1
Take a look here
https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/365/Beach-Cams
https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/365/Beach-Cams

It's generally still a lot less crowded in the summer, you can go to a paid to park beach like Fenwick Island beach 8 minutes away or the Big Chill Beach Club. Bethany beach and boardwalk is between these two places.

Do you want to vacation? a week in the summer?

I agree Rehoboth is probably the best bet given what you've described.

Personally, I like the northern parts of ocean City. We used to stay around 120th street.

But my very favorite place to stay is Chincoteague - small town, beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the water, you do have to drive to the beach but it's a beautiful wild beach (though there's a lot going on with the beaches and moving the parking lots). It's further, but I love it best.

not sure about houses in Rehobeth but you can get houses pretty close to or on the beach in Bethany.

So it sounds like downtown Rehobeth is the way to go!

Anonymous wrote:Rehoboth is more family-oriented and traditionally has an LGBTQ+ presence.

Dewey is drunk singles. 20-somethings piled into group houses.

Lewes and Bethany are pretty dead. Not much town life. No boardwalk.

With what you describe, I'd pick Rehoboth.

Bethany has a boardwalk.

Rehoboth or Fenwick Island (or even the north end of Ocean City which is far less crowded than the south end). Rehoboth has a lot more to do than Fenwick but it's really hard to get in and out unless you have a place right downtown which is incredibly expensive.

Anonymous wrote:Expensive for what you get. Narrow crowded beaches. Rehobeth is safer, Do me (Dewey) is a singles meat market.
Bethany used to be quiet, not now and crowded. Very narrow eroded beach.

Sounds like you have not been to those places since late 90s.
Dewey changed their rental policies for family only/no more than 2 unrelated families early 2000s.
It is a family destination now; occasionally a bachelorette party at worst bar hopping.

Rehoboth is your best bet - beaches at Bethany are super small and packed. Very little to do there.

Dewey has music and some bars, but for under 22 it is pretty lame.

Rehoboth is more family-oriented and traditionally has an LGBTQ+ presence.

Dewey is drunk singles. 20-somethings piled into group houses.

Lewes and Bethany are pretty dead. Not much town life. No boardwalk.

With what you describe, I'd pick Rehoboth.

Expensive for what you get. Narrow crowded beaches. Rehobeth is safer, Do me (Dewey) is a singles meat market.
Bethany used to be quiet, not now and crowded. Very narrow eroded beach.

They are all crowded in the summer. You'd probably like Bethany the best if you want a more laid-back experience. Rent a house in one of the private communities that are on the north and south ends of town.

We have lived in the area for more than 20 years, but we've never been to the Delaware Beaches. I'm from New England so we usually head north. I went to Ocean City once, and the crowds took my breath away, but that is a story for another day.

The kids are older and driving, and I'd like them to be able to bring friends to the beach, so it makes sense for us to stay closer to home. Can someone give us some tips, pointers, and advice? We'd like for there to be places to walk to, but also not insanely crowded. We will need at least 3 bedrooms - more are preferable. We are open to Bethany, Dewey, Rehobeth - really anywhere.

Thank you!