Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - unfortunately we are renting just outside town limits, so no parking passes. I'm hoping that because some schools won't be out until the following week, it may be slightly less crowded than if we were to go mid-summer.

Does anyone have recommendations for further away beaches? We're definitely willing to drive.

That might be beach week for seniors. I’d check that first. I don’t think it will be too crowded. Our schools don’t even get our u tol 6/18, amd it’s not guaranteed to be warm then.

Looks like it's beach week for FCPS seniors, I didn't even think about that. Oh well, I don't think too many of them will be at Bethany Beach in the morning when we intend to go!

Yes Bethany is more family-oriented. Go early in the am -- if you get there by 9am you'll have no trouble parking near the beach and no issues getting a spot near the ocean. PPs are right that riptides/waves can be a big problem. Depending on the ages of your kids, buy a small boogie board that they can paddle around on (tons of kids will have them).
Also check out Funland amusement park in Rehoboth: that's a great place to go in the afternoon.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, sorry just getting back to this. We chose Bethany because it's supposed to be more families with little kids and not so many teens and college kids. Is that not the case? We're okay with cold water - my kids mostly just want to play in the sand.

What else can we do in the area if we go in the morning and leave for the afternoon? Thanks!!!

OP, you are correct. Bethany is the best place with little kids. Our DS is 6.

Suggestions:


Outdoor movie nights for kids on Monday in town
Bonfire on the beach
Concerts every weekend (usually Fri-Sun) but this summer only 1 night.
Great bookstore in town with nice kiddie section.
Great playground in town.
Mini golf and ice cream at Millville Boardwalk. There is also an arcade there.
Rent bikes in town and bike towards Dewey. They have tandem bikes that we rent for DS. They also have kiddie seats for smaller kids
Lots of nice, easy hiking trails nearby
Nature center has free Saturday morning programming for the kids and nice little hike behind the center

OP here, sorry just getting back to this. We chose Bethany because it's supposed to be more families with little kids and not so many teens and college kids. Is that not the case? We're okay with cold water - my kids mostly just want to play in the sand.

What else can we do in the area if we go in the morning and leave for the afternoon? Thanks!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - unfortunately we are renting just outside town limits, so no parking passes. I'm hoping that because some schools won't be out until the following week, it may be slightly less crowded than if we were to go mid-summer.

Does anyone have recommendations for further away beaches? We're definitely willing to drive.

That might be beach week for seniors. I’d check that first. I don’t think it will be too crowded. Our schools don’t even get our u tol 6/18, amd it’s not guaranteed to be warm then.

Beach week doesn’t impact Bethany. Lol.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - unfortunately we are renting just outside town limits, so no parking passes. I'm hoping that because some schools won't be out until the following week, it may be slightly less crowded than if we were to go mid-summer.

Does anyone have recommendations for further away beaches? We're definitely willing to drive.

That might be beach week for seniors. I’d check that first. I don’t think it will be too crowded. Our schools don’t even get our u tol 6/18, amd it’s not guaranteed to be warm then.

https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/365/Beach-Cams

Looks pretty narrow to me.

Despite the replenishment, it will still be crowded. Parking is limited, but inland neighborhoods have shuttles that drop people off at the boardwalk beach.

Just arrive early and head home for an afternoon break if it gets too crowded.

Anonymous wrote:

The beach near downtown Bethany and in Sea Colony is horrendously crowded. The beach is just so narrow now. It will be better in June than August for sure. We stayed in Sea Colony West in August one year and all you could see was umbrellas. No view of the ocean unless you got up super early to get set up on the front row.

Your information is outdated and misleading. Bethany did beach replenishment this fall/winter and the town beach is wider than I have ever seen it. Also, it will be much less crowded in mid-June than from July 4 through first week of August.

Down at Bethany today with 70 degree weather and sat on the beach right in front of the bandstand.

PP is correct, major replenishment, and it’s the widest we have ever seen.

Be prepared for chilly water and the waves can be strong especially for little children.