Hey beach bunnies! Ready for some fun in the sun? Then read on and start planning your getaway right now!
Let’s start with where you’ll stay. I find Trip Advisor is a great place to begin since it tells you which hotels are ranked the best and which ones are available for the dates you plan to visit. Try to book as far in advance as you can because rooms fill up quickly. Many of you like to use the website, Purpleroofs.com, for gay/gay-friendly travel. There are currently 11 places listed on that site for the Rehoboth Beach area.
Next, let’s talk about all the things you can do while you’re here! For women’s events, I would recommend the following. Stop reading right now, grab your smartphone or laptop, go to meetup.com and join the group, Gay Women of Rehoboth. They are one of the best resources I’ve found to learn what the ladies are up to. You don’t have to be from Rehoboth to belong to this group, and you can join it or leave it at any time. Another great resource (once you’re in town) is Letters, the magazine published by CAMP Rehoboth, our gay community center. Be sure to visit CAMP Rehoboth and PROUD bookstore while you’re here. Both are located on Baltimore Avenue in the downtown area. The dances on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are uber popular and bring hundreds of women out to play. Ladies 2000 is hosting one on Sunday, May 24th that you won’t want to miss!
Other events in general include: Rehoboth Restaurant Week, June 7-12. Three-course prix-fixe meals at participating restaurants; Rehoboth Beach VegFest, June 13 for all you veg and veg-curious folks. Lots of free samples, info and great food; July 5 for downtown fireworks; and the Annual Sandcastle Contest, August 1. This ain’t your mama’s sandcastles – top national teams build incredible sculptures, you’ll be amazed!
Love the beach? Girls tend to gravitate to the north end of town to an area called Gordon’s Pond. It’s adjacent to a great hiking trail that now runs all the way to Lewes. Like to play? Rent scooters and buzz around the downtown area, or rent bikes and checkout the Junction-Breakwater Trail, a six-mile path that runs through Cape Henlopen State Park. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent – lessons too! There are several waterparks and golf courses just out the city limits as well. Just south of Rehoboth is Dewey Beach where you can go kiteboarding, jet skiing or rent a boat and check out the bay for the afternoon. North of Rehoboth is the city of Lewes, where there are dozens of boats at the marina just waiting to take you fishing.
Despite its tiny size, Rehoboth has over 200 eateries for you to explore. One of the best ways to do that is to take the Eating Rehoboth walking food tour which allows you to sample food and drink at five restaurants all in one afternoon. The tours also include a visit to the Spice & Tea Exchange, or the Olive Orchard, which offers gourmet olive oils and vinegars from all over the world. The local cuisine has everything from pub grub to world class restaurants with James Beard nominated chefs. Foodies should check out RehobothFoodie.com for all the delicious details.
People-watching on the mile-long Boardwalk is superb, and made even better while eating Fisher’s caramel popcorn, Dolle’s salt water taffy, Thrasher’s fries, or one of the crazy flavors like Breakfast in Bed or Better Than Sex from The Ice Cream Store.
At night you’ll want to listen to live music at The Pond Bar & Grill, sing karaoke at Rigby’s, or catch a drag show at the Purple Parrot or the Blue Moon.
No visit to the beach is complete without a little retail therapy. There are some amazing boutiques in town and three huge Tanger Outlets along Coastal Highway. And all the shopping is tax free!
Make time to visit Lewes, Delaware’s oldest town, just minutes from Rehoboth Beach. History buffs will love places like the Ryves Holt House, the oldest home in Delaware built in 1665 and the Zwaanendael Museum. The downtown historic area runs along the canal and it is without a doubt, one of the prettiest places you’ll visit. In addition to great dining and cool shops, you’ll find art galleries, antique stores and beautiful Victorian homes. If you visit on a Saturday, don’t miss the award-winning farmer’s market, held in the Lewes Historical Society Complex. On the east side of the canal, take a ride on the Cape Water Taxi, a lovely covered pontoon boat that runs all the way to Dewey Beach.
If you’re like me, you’ll fall in love with the place and want to stay. I’ve lived here full-time for nine years and it’s been absolutely magical. Come to the Delaware Beaches and see for yourself – you’ll never want to leave!
