Rehoboth Beach Hotel Guide

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is a beach destination that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, there’s a great surf and sand scene. But this beach town has many charms, from a vibrant arts and night life scene on The Avenue to terrific restaurants and shopping galore.

Unlike most southern New Jersey shore towns, downtown Rehoboth feels like a real neighborhood, a place where people live. Mature trees, some elbow room in between houses and a sense of place and pride among the locals make Rehoboth something special.

Originally conceived as a seaside location for Methodist religious camp meetings back in 1873, Rehoboth Beach is now known for its diverse mix of gays and lesbians, families with kids and Yuppie types visiting from D.C., Baltimore and Philly. Even an outsider gets the feeling that these divergent groups don’t merely co-exist, they mingle and overlap, with tolerance being the underlying theme that keeps everything in balance.

Located side by side with Dewey, a quieter beach community, Rehoboth comes alive at night, with a respectable bar scene and plenty of restaurants from which to choose.

Rehoboth Beach’s shopping district, concentrated along Rehoboth Avenue and Wilmington Street, is lively in the evenings, when locals and visitors alike come out to stroll, window shop and enjoy the cool ocean breezes. Galleries, cafes, coffee houses, eclectic shops and B&Bs dot the tree-lined streets, creating a small town, artsy atmosphere that is altogether pleasant.

Shoppers will be happy to know that there are some 150 outlet stores located along busy Route 1 just outside of town. Best time to avoid the crowds here is any sunny afternoon during the high season, when all the sun worshipers are at the beach. Tax-free shopping is one of the state of Delaware’s best features.

Walking on the mile-long boardwalk is just one popular outdoor activity here. The beaches are ideal for strolling, north along the dunes towards historic Lewes or south toward Dewey Beach and the 2,000-acre Delaware Seashore State Park and recreational area, a haven for surfers and surf fisherman. Rollerblading on the boardwalk is popular after the summer crowds disperse, which is also when the locals bring their dogs to the beach for a romp.

A range of accommodations are available in Rehoboth, beginning with family-oriented budget chains along Route One, like Hampton Inn and Quality Inn, where rates are lower because of their highway location. In town, historic inns, romantic B&Bs and oceanfront boardwalk hotels accommodate every budget. If you’re looking for a bargain, winter and spring deliver the best rates, without the crowds that are always part of the summer landscape. The weather is best in summer and fall, although temperatures are often mild enough in the winter to catch a glow just from walking on the beach.

One thing’s for sure, Rehoboth is the kind of town that gets under a person’s skin, long after the summer’s tan lines have disappeared.

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