Since 1976, Chief Little Owl, a twenty-four foot totem pole, has been greeting Bethany Beach’s visitors. This idyllic get-away has been coined one of Delaware’s “quiet resorts.” Sandy beaches, temperate weather, and a not so commercial boardwalk, have made this serene oasis a favorite for family-friendly vacations.
Absent the crowded beaches, the t-shirt shops and the droves of loud sun-seekers, this rustic town is a great escape for families who crave the excitement of a beach town, but who also desire the charm of a low-key beach town. With its clean, free beaches and Norman Rockwell-like ambience, Bethany Beach is a family-friendly resort you will return to again and again….
The pristine beaches that border this resort are great for family-friendly activities like surf fishing, body surfing, boogie boarding and sandcastle-building.
Garfield Parkway, the main street of Bethany Beach, houses a quaint collection of stores and restaurants. The whole family will take a step back in the past when they enter Rhodes’ Five and Dime vintage store: The children will marvel at the uniqueness of the store and the adults will enjoy a bit of nostalgia as they roam the aisles.
A quick walk brings the family to Bethany boardwalk, a half-mile wooden plank walkway lined with shops and restaurants. There are beach hotels that offer reasonable room rates, and beach restaurants, both formal and casual, where the hungry can savor the local cuisine. If a cooling snack is wanted, the ice cream at Dickey’s Frozen Custard cannot be beat.
When the sun begins to set over the Atlantic, the strains of notes waft over the light sea breezes every weekend during the summer months. The Bethany Boardwalk bandstand showcases local and national talent Friday through Sunday at 7:30 pm. Grab a spot on one of the benches and settle down for a music-filled night under the stars. Don’t forget to bring a bucket of Fisher’s warm carmel corn to make this concert-going experience complete.
Beside the free concerts at the bandstand, Bethany Beach has several beach festivals and events. The most eclectic beach festival is the Arts Festival held on the boardwalkevery year. This juried show has more than 100 artists and live, local music. The Fourth of July Parade, a favorite beach event, includes floats, clowns, marchers and 1,200 bicycles ridden by children. In the evening, fireworks light up the inky blue sky. The Farmer’s Market is a beach event that should not be missed. Vendors sell local produce and food from June through August. A great way to meet locals and taste their cuisine.
Some beach restaurants the whole family can enjoy are The Frog House (best breakfast with reasonable prices), Chalkboard Tavern and Grille for delectable seafood (the chicken and dumplings taste just like grandma used to make!) and the family-friendlybeach restaurant, Bluecoast Seafood Grill Fish Market, serves deliciously simple seafood in an incomparable natural setting.
Many beach hotels dot Bethany Beach’s shoreline. There are many condos and houses that can be rented if a beach hotel is not the way you want to go. Some nice beach hotels include Sea Colony, a mecca for families in the summer, Bethany Arms is near to shops, beach restaurants and the boardwalk and Blue Surf Motel has the best location in Bethany Beach–its porch is the boardwalk and the ocean is its front yard.
Bethany Beach is a quiet resort for those looking for a relaxing beach vacation. Couples can savor the local foods at the beach restaurants or enjoy romantic walks along the beach. Families can take pleasure in quality time together, and older vacationers can relish the quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The beach hotels, beach restaurants and many beach festivals beckon the visitor; however, it is the expanse of ocean with its gently crashing waves which endears Bethany Beach to its visitors year after year….