HOW TO SPEND A MEMORABLE DAY IN REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE

There are many beaches off the Eastern seaboard, but my favorite is Rehoboth Beach. It’s a quieter beach than some of the others and to me, it feels more authentic. Known for its soft sand, plentiful restaurants, and classic boardwalk, it is often referred to as the “Nation’s Summer Capital.” Across the Washington metro area, visitors rise early to get across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge before the traffic bottlenecks. Like geese flying south for the winter, people of all ages flock to this mecca in search of cool breezes, sun, and surf. Rehoboth is also a great place for a girlfriend’s getaway.

HISTORY OF REHOBOTH BEACH

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach was first visited by Native Americans attracted by the abundant seafood. By the mid-1600s, English and Dutch settlers had made it their home. In 1891, Delaware’s General Assembly formerly named it Rehoboth Beach, and today, it’s the largest beach resort in Delaware. Only 2 1/2 hours from Washington, DC, it’s located in Eastern Sussex County.

WHERE TO EAT IN REHOBOTH BEACH

For a memorable day in Rehoboth Beach, start off with breakfast at a cute little pink and white eatery called Kaisy’s Delights. Known for its delicious coffee and Austrian pastries, it has an all-day breakfast menu. The food is customized for each visitor (how many eggs do you want and how do you want them cooked?) and serves gluten-free options. Visitors love their latkes and Kaiserschmarrrn (kaisy for short) which is like a puffy pancake served with sweet or savory toppings.

If you feel like visiting an authentic French bakery for your morning meal, stop in at Cafe Papillon. The light and airy croissants are delicious and the crepes are so good, they have a separate line just to order that item. I love the fact that the menu includes napoleons, fruit tarts, cafe au lait and creme brulee (my personal favorites). A wide range of sandwiches and salads are also available.

If you’re craving carbs by lunchtime, Nicola Pizza has two locations for your convenience. Both serve a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. This is the first place I’ve ever seen that offers pizza with fat-free dough, fat-free sauce, and fat-free cheese.

For dinner, you can find plenty of options in Rehoboth. A friend who grew up in Delaware highly recommended Finn’s Fish House and Raw Bar for their delicious food and drink. I’m so glad she did. As you can see by the Bloody Mary above, their serving sizes are generous and they have fun drink garnishes. I love seafood and the Shellfish Pasta shown below became my all-time favorite seafood dish. Shrimp, fresh scallops, lump crabmeat, spinach, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes in a lobster cream sauce. From the moment you smell the soft aroma in front of you, you’ll find your mouth watering! Finn’s also has a nice wine list to pair with whatever dish you choose.

Before we drove back to Virginia the next day, we headed to Summer House Saloon for a one more seafood meal. Ice tea quenched our thirst before the arrival of one-pound Maine lobsters with drawn butter and two sides. Hush puppies, summer tomatoes, and marinated mushrooms complimented our entrees perfectly.

THINGS TO DO IN REHOBOTH BEACH

Although it was summer, the day was cool and windy so a stroll along the one-mile boardwalk was a great way to burn off calories after eating. From Dolly’s saltwater taffy to shops selling funnel cakes and large salted pretzels, the smells and bright colors of the boardwalk are a welcome sensory extravaganza. We watched children playing in the arcade, laughed at the range of souvenirs available in the tourist shops and browsed in a very nice antique store.

Afterward, we walked along the surf and looked for seashells. Along the way, we marveled at a horseshoe crab that had washed ashore.

A block away from the boardwalk, Rehoboth has a very nice main street with a wide range of stores and restaurants. Shore Silver, owned by the Gambacorta family, had beautiful stainless steel and opal jewelry. Peering into Kevin Fleming and Friends Gallery is a visual treat. A National Geographic photographer who has captured compelling moments in time in more than 28 countries, his work is breathtaking. From seascapes to dragonflies, Mount McKinley to the Everglades, we spent 30 minutes looking closely at almost every image in the store.

Later on, we strolled into Browseabout Books to find a good beach read. Known for being one of the nation’s top independent bookstores, they sell toys, stationery, gifts and plenty of books. As the day drew to a close, we decided no day at the beach should end without a sweet treat. We each enjoyed a cone of frosty orange vanilla at Kohr Brothers frozen custard at sunset. We decided it was definitely worth the calories!

FIVE STAR INN AT REHOBOTH BEACH

For this girlfriend’s getaway, we wanted to pamper ourselves. My best friend had just finished chemotherapy for breast cancer and this was a celebration trip. Two blocks away from the ocean, we chose the Bellmoor Inn and Spa which provides guests with five-star luxurious accommodations. With tastefully decorated rooms and suites, we particularly enjoyed afternoon refreshments by the roaring fire in the lovely Jefferson drawing room. When we woke up the next morning, a full complimentary breakfast featuring coffee, juice, eggs, meat, fresh fruit and fresh baked goods was a lovely start to the day. The inn also offers spa services like massage, facials, and skincare.

Beach vacations are a great way to relax and recharge. What’s your favorite beach to visit?