EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: For more beach news, traffic and weather, visit 草莓传媒鈥檚 Summer Beach Guide section.
WASHINGTON 鈥� Those looking for a break from Beltway commutes and the commotion of the city retreat to Bethany Beach, where bike cruisers dominate the roads and the chime of emails are drowned out by the sound of crashing waves.
Bethany Beach is known as the 鈥渜uiet鈥� beach, but that doesn鈥檛 mean there鈥檚 not a lot to do.
Lauren Weaver, executive director of the , said big events like the Poseidon Festival and daily programming on the beach and bandstand keep visitors busy all summer long. Plus, the town is home to some great restaurants and charming retail shops.
The Bethany-Fenwick area of Delaware sits directly north of Ocean City, Maryland, and is sandwiched between the Little Assawoman Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer months, the two neighboring beach towns see hundreds of thousands of visitors.
If your summer plans include a tranquil trip to the Bethany-Fenwick beaches, use this guide 鈥� filled with tips from locals and those in-the-know 鈥� to navigate the area鈥檚 best activities and can鈥檛-miss dining destinations.
An Entertaining and Active Summer
- Workout on the water: Early risers have plenty to look forward to at Bethany Beach. The town hosts daily on the bandstand and the beach daily (except for Thursdays) through Sept. 10. also take place on the beach throughout the summer. Costs range from $10 to $15 per person.
- Workout in the water: Dream of catching a wave? Now is your chance. Take a surf lesson in Bethany with or join a paddle board tour with . On from 6 to 7 p.m., starting June 19, catch skimboard and bodyboard demos on the main beach. Pro riders will even offer some of their best tips for the water sports.
- Movies on the beach: June 11 through Aug. 27, end your days with a off Garfield Parkway. This summer鈥檚 screenings include everything from 鈥淭he Lion King,鈥� to 鈥淐oco.鈥� Friday nights in September, the movies move to the bandstand.
- Entertainment for all ages: From concerts with Alison Krauss and Smokey Robinson, to documentaries and comedy shows, you鈥檒l find all forms of entertainment at . (There are also , to be announced.) Dickens puts on live magic shows and is another favorite venue in the area 鈥� especially on rainy days.
- Meet me at the bandstand: The is the place to be in Bethany. Catch free concerts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the summer at 7:30 p.m. Kids鈥� nights are every Wednesday in July, plus there are a handful of special performances throughout the season.
- Shopping: Bethany鈥檚 boardwalk is lined with ice cream parlors, candy stores and beach shops. The town is also home to several high-end boutiques and galleries. 鈥淭here鈥檚 just such a unique feel for the boutique shops in Bethany 鈥� just a little bit of something for everybody,鈥� Weaver said.
Food
Agriculture is one of the biggest industries in Delaware鈥檚 coastal region, and that bounty is obvious when it comes to eating in Fenwick and Bethany. Sure, the area has a handful of casual diners and grab-and-go pizza joints, but those who prefer white tablecloth establishments that focus on farm-to-fork (and sea-to-spoon) dining will not be disappointed.
Bethany-Fenwick Restaurant Recommendations
One of the stars in the area is in Bethany Beach. Weaver said , and are also town staples.
, an Ocean City favorite, is opening a Bethany location this summer (Weaver said it should be done by June), and recently did a renovation. Across from Sea Colony Marketplace is , and Weaver said, 鈥淭heir food is phenomenal; they have outdoor seating.鈥�
serves all-day breakfast, and flanking the bridge to the Delaware Seashore State Park are two favorite spots for food and drink: and .
In Fenwick, Weaver points to and as go-to eateries for locals and visitors, alike.
Those who prefer to picnic or cook have plenty of options for fresh, gourmet ingredients.
Every day of the week, with the exception of Saturday, there鈥檚 a farmers market somewhere within a 10-mile radius of Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. runs Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon June 3 through Sept. 2. The runs Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, June 17 through Sept. 8.
Don鈥檛 Miss
- Fenwick Island State Park: Visit this 344-acre state park between Ocean City and South Bethany for its quiet beaches and bay shoreline. There鈥檚 also hiking, kayaking and horseback riding in the offseason. Day-passes (which include parking) are $8.
- Independence Day Celebration: Bethany celebrates the with a parade, concerts and fireworks. Activities take place on the boardwalk and at the bandstand.
- Free festivals: The Poseidon Festival kicks off Memorial Day Weekend on the beach and bandstand. Expect entertainment and education for the sea-themed event. The 40th annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival takes place Sept. 8.
- Bethany Beach Nature Center: The Bethany Beach Nature Center offers children鈥檚 programming, indoor exhibits and outdoor education.
- Go-Karts, golf and waterslides: Need a break from the beach? Weaver recommends Fenwick鈥檚 for both kids and adults. 鈥淭hey have everything from mini-putt, Go-Karts, ice cream, a water park as well,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of fun.鈥�
- Seaside Craft Show: The 14th annual Seaside Craft Show will be held June 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Bethany. Vendors along the streets and the boardwalk will showcase their works. .
Where to Stay, How to Get Around
The majority of the lodging at Bethany Beach consists of condos, homes and bed-and-breakfasts. Weaver recommends visiting to review and book all available accommodations.
Getting around Bethany Beach, which is 1 square mile, is pretty easy.
Biking and walking are the preferred modes of transportation. (There are bike racks along the ocean entryways.) If you鈥檙e driving into town for the day, there is metered parking along the main streets, and experts recommend feeding the meter with the Parkmobile app, so you don鈥檛 have to give up your spot on the beach.
A also runs through Bethany Beach beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through mid-September from 9:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. The fare is just $0.25 each way.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e staying in Bethany proper, you don鈥檛 even have to get in your car. It will take you right into town every day,鈥� Weaver said about the trolley.
