Cape May

I didn't grow up here and I'm also less than impressed with the beaches around here. Cape Henlopen state park near Lewes is the only beach within reasonable driving distance that I would care to visit for a weekend. You would have to stay in Lewes and drive the short distance to the beach.

I am not from the US so can relate to your husband's point. The beaches here in the area just don't compare too well to the nicer beaches of the Mediterranean, red or black seas or the Indian ocean. The waves are too high, too many people, the smell of food is overpowering, and the water is cold. You grew up with this, so you enjoy it, but don't expect him to enjoy it as much, especially the 'boardwalk' experience.

We tried rehoboth, stayed close to the boardwalk and totally hated it. Then went to Bethany, stayed a bit further and liked it a bit better. Then we tried NC, some deserted beach and for the first time since we got here actually loved it. It was as close to 'our' beach experience as we could get, though the water was still cold and the waves high.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Is ocean city fun or too crazy/tacky?

Its the most fun beach for kids, but I think you said yours are toddlers, so I'm not sure if your kids would be of the age to really get into like Jolly Rogers and activities like that yet (rides)? If you do OC, Maybe try the princess royale. OC gets booked up pretty quick for the summertime. I love OC - forget all the granola transplants on here who say it's "tacky" or "trashy." Real washingtonians respect OC.

Hotel Rehoboth is the ONLY place I would stay other than Inn at Canal Square in Lewes. Jack Lingo does have decent rentals but I don't know for just a three night stay.

There are a handful of really nice B&Bs in Chincoteague with awesome breakfasts, but only one has a pool.
In Rehoboth the Boardwalk Plaza was CRAZY expensive, I just priced a weekend there and I doubt very much that it is worth it. The Avenue Inn gets good reviews.
With kids I prefer vacation rentals - like to be able to wash the suits and towels, save on meals, stretch out a little. There are several places that will rent you for a 3 nighter.

The Avenue Inn - Rehoboth.
I think there is a pool. You can check some pictures and other hotel facilities
http://www.crispy-hotels.com

Ocean City Hilton. Just go for it. Jolly Rogers across the street. Kids will have a ball.

We stayed at the Refuge Inn years ago. That was nice but a very different experience than say Ocean City.

I have only been to OC in the off season but extrapolating what it was like then (and seeing the 8 lanes of traffic) I think it would be too much for me in the summer.

The Bellmoor was going to be my suggestion too, with two caveats-- it's expensive and it's further from the beach than you might think (5-10 min walk.-- Rehoboth seems to have longer city blocks than NYC, so things that are 2blocs from the beach are far enough that you don't just pop back to your place).

Boardwalk Plaza looked like a possibility but haven't actually stayed there.

Thank you!

Dewey these days is the party beach -- no boardwalk, a couple of tacky souvenier shops, and bars, bars, bars. Most of the motels there are more geared for the 20 somethings crowd. A mile down Rehoboth has the boardwalk, family friendly, cute shops, etc. But the beach itself in Rehoboth will be very very crowded, probably more crowded than Dewey. You can always stay in one area and take the jolly trolly to and from to get the benefits of both beaches.

The Bellmoor in Rehoboth.

Thanks! Is ocean city fun or too crazy/tacky?

The Refuge Inn at Chincoteague. Far away from the Jersey hordes. If you are doing Ocean City regardless then maybe that Holiday Inn with the nice beachfront pool?

So my husband is not from the US & has never been to a local beach. He has bad visions in his head from watching ads for jersey shore. I grew up here & have great memories of the boardwalk at rehoboth, the beach at dewey, etc, but have not been to any of them since high school. Any suggestions of a place that is toddler friendly & will show my husband how great mid-atlantic beaches can be? We can't go for more than a long weekend, so I was thinking a hotel would be our best option. Any suggestions, especially for one with a pool for my water obsessed kids? thanks