the summer capital 2011 - 50 things to do

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010

SummerCapital

The

Where To Eat, Shop, Stay And Play In The Rehoboth Beach Area

50 Things To Do


50 Things To Do

A contestant cuts back across the lip in the 2010 East Coast Skimboarding Championship at Dewey Beach

Compiled by Carrie Daniel and Georgia LeonhartWritten by Carrie Daniel

LIKE the writers, photographers and editors behind this book, you prob-ably discovered Rehoboth Beach by chance — through the recom-mendation of a friend, because of a

job relocation, or due to the buzz in your office every Monday as colleagues returned from their weekends at “The Beach.” Your curiosity was piqued, and expecting nothing more than a few pizza joints and a bit of sand by the water, you shuttled down a single, narrow Delaware highway. You ended up discovering miles of beautiful, oceanfront scenery and the multitude of diverse and exciting activities that this vaca-tion destination offers year-round. You thought (like we did): “This is the best little place in the universe — this is The Nation’s Summer Capital.”

What’s more? You realize that the bus-tling locale popularly termed “The Beach” or “Rehoboth ” actually encompasses three, won-derful seaside towns: quaint and historic Lewes — the First Town in the First State; lively and vibrant Dewey Beach — famous for its summer nightlife and wide, flat beaches; and, of course, Rehoboth Beach — the epicenter of the nation’s Summer Capital, known for its restaurants, shops, surf, sand, rides, festivals, and more!

So here it is, folks — we’ve made things easy for you. Enjoy the following 50 fabulous, hand-picked things to do during your visit to The Summer Capital. We dare you to try them all.

1. LIGHTHOUSE TOURS Be drawn to the lights of two of southern Dela-ware’s beloved lighthouses and walk where the keepers walked in a tour of the Breakwater Lighthouse and the Harbor of Refuge Light-house, located off the coast at Cape Henlopen

and commissioned by our sixth president, John Quincy Adams. Hundreds of 13-ton slabs of granite were fit perfectly together in 75 feet of water to establish the inner breakwater in an operation that is now considered an engineer-ing marvel. Built in 1901 as the final phase of the 1896 outer breakwater project, the Harbor of Refuge is the only lighthouse still operating off the southern Delaware coast. Journey by boat on one of the Delaware River and Bay Light-house Foundation tours. The minimum age of tour-goers is 12, and you will need to book your spots well in advance as tours are infrequent and space is limited. For more information, visit www.delawarebaylights.org or give them a call at (302) 644-7046.

2. POTTERY PAINTING AND GLASS FUSINGSpend an afternoon exploring your creative side. Adults and children alike can pick out sculptures or pottery and paint on their own

Peering out toward the Harbor of Refuge Light across the dunes of The Point in Cape Henlopen State Park


Like something from a fairy tale, Silver Lake glows in the dim light of dusk


The Lewes Harbor shines aquamarine as night approaches

THE SUMMER CAPITAL 50 things to do

styles, designs and colors. The pottery is fired overnight so you can pick it up the next day. You can also try your hand creating glass artwork in the same place. Learn how to cut, shape and melt glass, then create your own piece by visit-ing Creatable Crafts at 146 Rehoboth Avenue. You can also find more information about them by turning to page 87 of this book.

3. BOARDWALK No trip to the beach is complete without a stroll on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. Savor the smells and sounds of the beach while indulging in boardwalk fries, ice cream and other delight-ful concoctions. Watch the parade of people or pause on a bench and enjoy the moon rising over the ocean. Amusements, dining, mini-golf and a variety of shops make this mile-long stretch of boards something not to be missed. Bikes are allowed from 5:00am to 10:0am, May 15 through September 15, and dogs are allowed October 31 through April 1. For more informa-tion, visit www.rehobothboardwalk.com.

4. DINING From Dewey to Rehoboth and on up to Lewes, Delaware’s beach resorts are known for their delicious – and diverse – dining opportuni-ties. From trendy and bustling to laid back and serene, there are hundreds of restaurants, offering – in addition to tasty seafood dishes – almost every type of American and interna-tionally-inspired cuisine imaginable, including Thai, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Russian, Japa-nese, Irish, Chinese, French, Asian and more. Visit the Second Street area of Lewes to try the Crab Bomb at Jerry’s Seafood (page 99) or enjoy a great, fresh breakfast at Blue Sea Café (page 98). On Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth stop at Jake’s Seafood or Big Fish Grill (page 55)

for family-friendly, seafood dining experiences. In downtown Rehoboth Beach, try the best in Asian cuisine and sushi at The Cultured Pearl (page 38), grab some authentic British fish and chips at Go Fish! (page 42), sample a great selection of oysters and drinks at Henlopen City Oyster House (page 46), or have a healthy treat of frozen bananas from Annie’s Banannies (page 54). In Dewey Beach, check out Sharky’s Grill for delicious sandwiches and a laidback atmosphere or visit neighboring Ponos and Nalu restaurants for upscale or casual Hawai-ian dining. For more suggestions and informa-tion on local restaurants, see pages 38-55 of this book.

5. NIGHTLIFEYou’re at the beach – why not go out on the town for a bit of booze, music, and fun? Dewey Beach is known, far and wide, for its bus-tling bar scene (so much so that the area has attracted a reality TV show crew this summer!). Hit up North Beach for bayside beers during the day or for lively bands and dance music at night. Check out the live music lineup at the Bottle and Cork, which attracts famous musi-cians from across the country. (deweybeachlife.com/ent_bc.html.) You’ll also want to stop by the Starboard, famous for their Suicide Sun-day bloody mary specials and bustling crowds every night of the week. Rehoboth Beach, too, boasts exciting social venues, including Dog-fish Head Brewpub, which has live music every weekend, and Summer House Saloon, which has doubled as a popular local watering hole for decades (page 55). The Blue Moon serves excel-lent martinis and hosts a weekly karaoke night; Dos Locos offers a full tequila bar and great margaritas (page 40). For more information on local nightlife, see pages 38-55.

6. RACE WITH SEASHORE STRIDERSSeashore Striders was formed in 1988 to serve Rehoboth Beach and Lewes; they host a range of spring, summer, and fall events for all members of the public who are interested in running and fitness. The Striders’ popular Summer Racing Series attracts visitors from far and wide, with regular attendees traveling from DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia to join in on the excitement.The Striders also host year-round, weekly “fun runs” in Rehoboth Beach, as well as weekend runs and summer session workouts in Cape Henlopen State Park. For information, visit www.seashorestriders.com.

7. BROWSEABOUT BOOKSA hub of the community, Browseabout is the largest independent bookstore in the Mid-Atlantic region (and a sure spot to purchase this book). Browseabout provides opportunities for the public to meet celebrated guests throughout the year; past years included a visits from Vice President Joe Biden, Bam Margera (star of Jack-ass), and a variety of best-selling authors and illustrators. Located at 113 Rehoboth Avenue, it’s a gathering place for early morning coffee, pastries, newspapers and conversation and has events for children and their families through-out the summer. Call (302) 226-2665 or visit www.browseaboutbooks.com.

8. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTSBeach activities never end at dusk. Everyone is invited to grab their beach chairs and blankets to enjoy current feature-length, kid-friendly movies on the beach at Dagsworthy Street in Dewey Beach. The movies are projected onto a giant screen at 8:30pm on Mondays throughout the summer season. The movies are free, and, thankfully, Dewey Beach does not require park-


St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes

Catch a summer concert at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 Fourth of July festivities seen from atop the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel


ing permits for street parking on Monday, Tues-day and Wednesday evenings (unless Monday is a legal holiday). Last year’s family favorites included: Shrek, Shrek 2, Madagascar, Cars and The Princess and the Frog. For more information, visit www.beach-fun.com/Dewey-Beach-Activi-ties/ or call the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at (800) 441-1329.

9. DRUM CIRCLE/DANCE ON LEWES BEACHPack up a percussion instrument and join the circle for an authentic drum and dance experi-ence on Lewes Beach. Instructor/drummer John Matthews will guide you in creating the age-old Middle Eastern rhythms that inspire so much of today’s music, while talented local dancers lead you as you move and shake to irresist-ible beats. The drum circle forms on the public beach at 6pm, every other Sunday, from Memo-rial Day Weekend through Labor Day. The event is free and open to the public; instruments and hip scarves can be provided to first arrivals. For information, call Carol Boyd-Heron at (302) 644-3723 or (302) 645-0551.

10. FARMERS’ MARKETS Go green as you join neighbors and friends at two of Delaware’s award-winning farm-ers’ markets. Visit the Rehoboth Beach Farm-ers’ Market from noon to 4pm every Tuesday at Grove Park on Rehoboth Avenue for fresh produce, lunches, baked goods and gifts. (See www.rbfarmersmarket.com.) The Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market opens at 8am each Sat-urday at the Lewes Historical Society Complex at the intersection of Second and Shipcarpenter Streets. (See www.historiclewesfarmersmar-ket.org.) Featuring 50-plus vendors in 2011, the two markets provide cheeses, all-natural meats, fresh seafood, flowers and fresh herbs,

and more. Both markets extend from May into October and offer cooking and gardening dem-onstrations and other special events. Lewes offers a children’s reading program from 9am to 10am.

11. REHOBOTH BEACH MUSEUM Explore more than a century of colorful history at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. From bath-ing suits to beach toys, artwork, postcards and photographs, you can admire many treasures and remembrances of Rehoboth Beach’s found-ing and growth. Located at 511 Rehoboth Ave-nue near the traffic circle, the museum is open seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day (and Thursday through Monday the remainder of the year). Regular admission is $5 for adults; $3 for seniors, college students and military; $2 for children ages 13 to 17. Chil-dren 12 and younger are free. Free guided tours are given at 10:30am on the first Friday of each month, June through August. Call (302) 227- 7310 or visit rehobothbeachmuseum.org.

12. SECOND SATURDAY ART WALKS Stroll the streets of Rehoboth Beach on the sec-ond Saturday of each month to discover and enjoy the offerings of Mosaic, a collective of 10 fine galleries. Founded in 2008 to promote art, unite galleries and support artists, the col-lective features regional, national and interna-tional artists. Participating galleries host open-ings and display beautiful art, jewelry and fine crafts. You can also enjoy receptions with wine and hors d’oeuvres at most galleries. For more information, visit www.mosaicrehoboth.com.

13. DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY TOUR Priding itself on creating “off-centered ales for off-centered people,” Dogfish Head started

with a small brewery in its Rehoboth Beach location at 320 Rehoboth Avenue. Now dis-tributed nationally (and internationally!), most Dogfish Head beers are brewed in the nearby Milton Brewery, which is open to the public for free, guided, behind-the-scenes tours. Tour dates and times vary but generally run at 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday afternoons. Each tour is limited to 35 people, so reservations are strongly recommended. For more information and to make reservations, call (302) 684-1000 or visit www.dogfish.com.

14. FISHING Share in the excitement and meet the challenge of some of the best surf and deep-sea fishing on the East Coast. Local charters provide inshore and offshore fishing trips. Try calling Anglers Fishing Center at (302) 644-4533, Fisherman’s Wharf at (302) 645-8862, or Fish On Charters at (302) 732-3886. If you are feeling adventur-ous (and are willing to get a license), you can take your SUV and fishing gear right on the beach in Cape Henlopen State Park. The state parks provide a myriad of fishing opportuni-ties. (Visit www.destateparks.com/activities/fishing/index.asp.) Lastly, Rehoboth Beach’s Lake Gerar offers a popular children’s fishing bridge. For additional information on licensing, regulations and locations, contact the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife by phone at (302) 739-9910 or on the web at www.fw.delaware.gov. For information about four-wheel-drive license requirements for state-owned beaches, call (302) 739-9220.

15. LEWES SUMMER MUSIC SERIES Pack your blanket or lawn chair and come on down to the Lewes Public Library to enjoy an evening of live music, starting at 7pm each Tues-

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 Grab a cocktail and enjoy this view from Victoria’s Restaurant at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel


day night (and occasionally, Friday night), from the end of May and through the end of August. Concerts are sponsored by WSFS bank and held at Stango Park on Kings Highway (right next to the Lewes Public Library). They incorporate a variety of musical genres, including: country, jazz, bluegrass, oldies, Americana, old world folk, classical, and rock. For more information, visit www.leweslibrary.org/events_classes/index.htm and look for the “Library Calendar of Events.” You can also contact Jon Woodyard with questions at (302) 644-3872.

16. ANTIQUING Collectors will delight in the large variety of antique shops, flea markets and co-ops located throughout Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. Sus-sex County boasts more than 100 antique stores that are featured in maps and brochures at the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center (located downtown at 501 Rehoboth Avenue). Or, you could start your antiquing experience on Second Street in Lewes, where a handful of quality antique shops are situated close together. For more information on local antiquing, visit www.cal-endarofantiques.com/calendarrehoboth.html, or call (800) 441-1329.

17. COASTAL CONCERTS Enjoy a classical Coastal Concert series perfor-mance at the beautiful Bethel United Methodist Church hall at Market and West Fourth streets in Lewes. The annual five-concert subscription series in a season runs from October through March and bring world-class, professional clas-sical musicians to the beach. Concerts start at 8pm, and tickets are $20. Youth ages 10 through 18 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (888) 212-

6458 or visit www.coastalconcerts.org.

18. GOLF A dozen first-rate public golf courses and a number of private courses surrounding Dela-ware’s beaches ensure stunning fairways, lush greens and memorable experiences that will delight any avid golfer. Courses include the Midway Par 3 Golf Course and Driving Range, the standard full-course golf facilities at Old Landing Golf Course and a mid-length course at Bethany Bay Golf Club. Baywood Greens on Route 24 has full championship amenities, and The Rookery, nine miles north of Rehoboth, is the newest public 18-hole championship layout in the Rehoboth Beach resort area. For more information on golf in the Rehoboth area, visit www.atbeach.com/golfing/golf_de.asp.

19. WATER PARKS Make a splash at a water park! Jungle Jim’s Adventure World in Rehoboth features six giant water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a kiddie pool, an activity pool and a kid’s spray ground. Your family can also enjoy various “dry” activi-ties, including bumper boats, rock climbing, and mini golf. To learn more, call (302) 227-8444 or visit online at www.junglejimswater-park.com. Midway Speedway Park at the Mid-way Shopping Center on Route 1 is home to White Water Mountain with super-fast slides, a lazy river, an activity pool, a recreational pool for all ages, a bumper boat lagoon and a mini-golf course. Visit online at www.midwayspeed-waypark.com or call (302) 645-8064.

20. PIRATE ADVENTURES Dress like a pirate, and have a swashbuckling adventure aboard the Sea Gypsy, which sails daily from Lewes during the summer and on

weekends in May and September. Once on board, children hear the legends of Black Beard, Blue Skin and Captain Kidd’s buried treasure. They take the pirate oath, discover sunken trea-sure and defend the Sea Gypsy from Pete the Pirate, creating an experience that none will forget. Get more information online at www.PiratesofLewesExpeditions.com.

21. GO SHOPPING From Rehoboth to Lewes, you really can shop ’til you drop…and it’s all tax-free! From the quaint boutiques and specialty shops of downtown Lewes and Rehoboth to the bustling outlet cen-ters on Route 1, Delaware’s beaches are, truly, a shopper’s paradise. The Tanger Outlets feature more than 130 famous brand stores (dispersed across three outlet centers), including Anne Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach Factory, the Disney Store Outlet and more. For more information on shopping in the Rehoboth Beach area, check out all of the photos and information in the shopping section of this book on pages 100 to 125.

22. CINEMA BY THE SURF Film enthusiasts rejoice! Offering exciting, cutting-edge independent films from around the world, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society presents year-round, quality programs spe-cially geared for adults, students and youth. In addition to their off-season Monthly Screen-ings, held on the fourth Friday of each month at the Movies at Midway, they’ve created two, family-friendly summer programs: Cinema by the Surf and Cinema by the Canal. So pack up your lawn chairs and head down to the Lewes Canalfront Park and/or the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand for a cinematic adventure…under the stars! Outdoor screenings start in June and

Ruddertowne in Dewey is home to a variety of waterfront bars and restaurants

Home to Dewey Beach Parasail, the docks behind the Rusty Rudder extend out into Rehoboth Bay


continue through August. For more informa-tion about these and other film events, visit www.rehobothfilm.com or call (302) 645-9095.

23. FAMILY BONFIRE NIGHT Gather around an old fashioned Dewey Beach bonfire under the stars. Sing songs, tell stories and roast marshmallows during family bon-fire nights! Family bonfires start in late June and continue every Wednesday until the end of August. The events are free, and Dewey Beach does not require parking permits for street parking on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (unless Monday is a legal holiday). Permits for private beach bonfires can also be purchased from Dewey Beach Town Hall. For more information about family bonfires, contact the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at (302) 227-2233. For information about bonfire permits, call (302) 227-6363.

24. DOGFISH HEAD BEER DINNERS When the summer season ends, Dogfish Head Brewpub offers monthly, themed beer din-ners, pairing award-winning Dogfish Head beers with outstanding food. Reservations are required, and seating is limited for the five-course meals, which are served from October to April. The cost of $57 per person includes gratuity. Themes for 2010 included “Pork-a-Palooza!” and “The Night Before The Night Before (Christmas).” Visit the brewpub at 320 Rehoboth Avenue, call (302) 226-2739 or visit online at www.dogfish.com.

25. RACE GO-KARTS Pick one of the fastest go-karts at the beach and race your family and friends. Midway Speed-way, featuring five go-kart tracks (including two that were specially designed for very young

drivers), claims to be “your place to race.” Get more information at www.midwayspeedway-park.com or call (302) 645-8064. For another wild go-kart venue, check out Jungle Jim’s Adventure World. Call (302) 227-8444 or visit online at www.junglejimswaterpark.com.

26. REHOBOTH BEACH BANDSTAND SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Professional, high-energy music at the band-stand by the boardwalk at the end of Rehoboth Avenue has been a beach tradition since 1963. Band concerts are held at 8pm on weekends from mid-June through Labor Day. Showcas-ing a variety of musical genres for people of all ages, the Summer Concert Series is free to the public. Find more information on concerts at rehobothbandstand.com or call (302) 644-2288.

27. THEATRE OF THE ARTS Enjoy live performances, fine dining and great art at this one Rehoboth Beach location, located at 20 Baltimore Avenue. The theatre’s year-round events and shows, including cinema cabarets, murder mysteries, musicals, choirs, bands and comedies, have made the Rehoboth Theatre of the Arts a welcome addition to the cultural and entertainment scene. Dinner and show packages are available, as are overnight packages in conjunction with nearby hotels. Visit their website at www.rehobothbeachthe-atre.com or call (302) 227-9310 for more infor-mation.

28. FORT MILES BATTERY TOURS Tour the Fort Miles Historical Area, a major historical attraction in the Cape Henlopen State Park, to learn about its role as a key base in World War II coastal defense. On the National Register of Historic Places, Fort Miles is a place

There are worse ways to spend your day than sitting along the Harbor of Refuge watching the ferries set sail


where families, veterans, history buffs and oth-ers can enjoy an interpretive program, dance to a swing band, participate in gun drills, see fir-ing demonstrations, interact with re-enactors and more. For more information, visit online at www.destateparks.com/attractions/fort-miles.

29. JOLLY TROLLEY Have fun, enjoy the view and avoid the hassle of finding a parking place while you let the Jolly Trolley transport you through Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. The Jolly Trolley runs from 8am until 2am, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and offers trolleys, vans and buses for private charter. It’s a great way to go out for an exciting night on the town without all the worry of driving home. For more information about the trolly, visit www.jollytrolley.com or call (302) 227-1197.

30. SKIMBOARDING AND SURFINGBoth seasoned professionals and experimental novices will find an abundance of surfing and skimboarding opportunities on Delaware’s beaches. Teaching on waves that are big enough to ride (but not big enough to intimidate), the Rehoboth Beach Boarding School offers les-sons to adults and children of all ability levels. Contact them at (302) 745-5804 or visit online at www.boardingschoolrb.com. Perhaps you’d like to try a new and different type of sport. Then head on down to the “East Coast Skim-boarding Capital” – our very own Dewey Beach. Alley Oop in Dewey Beach offers free Saturday Skimboard Clinics from June 11th to August 27. Their enthusiastic, seasoned instructors also give private lessons throughout the sum-mer and offer a variety of short and week-long camps for kids. Call them at (302) 227-7807 or visit them online at www.alleyoopskim.com.

31. FUNLAND Whether you’re a child, parent or just a kid at heart, no trip to the beach would be complete without enjoying classic boardwalk amuse-ments and rides such as bumper cars, carou-sel, spinning teacups and a haunted house. All of these (and more!) are available at Funland, located on the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach. Funland caters to beachgoers of all ages, boast-ing 18 rides, 13 midway games, an electronic shooting gallery, redemption games, and an arcade with video and pinball machines. Offer-ing “family fun at friendly prices,” Funland is open from Mother’s Day weekend through Labor Day. Visit online at funlandrehoboth.com.

32. NASSAU VALLEY VINEYARDS Tour and taste at Delaware’s first and only award-winning winery. In Lewes, only a few miles from the bustling beaches, Nassau Val-ley Vineyards is a farm winery where grapes are grown, fermented into different varieties of wine, and sold – all in the same location. The self-guided tour allows you to explore the wine cellar, several production areas and a historical museum. Educational seminars and specialty tastings are also available by special arrange-ment. For more information on Nassau Valley Vineyards, see page 84 of this book.

33. CLAMMING AND CRABBING For fun and tasty results for the entire fam-ily, check out some of the clamming and crab-bing locations around Rehoboth Bay and Love Creek. Contact Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control at (302) 739-9913 for information about proper locations and you can visit a local bait and tackle store – like Old Inlet at 25012 Coastal Highway – for “how-to” advice.

34. SWIMMING Go swimming anywhere along Delaware’s 30 miles of beaches! In Lewes, you can enjoy both the calm waves of the Delaware Bay and the bigger surf of the Atlantic Ocean at Lewes Public Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park beaches, respectively. Other patrolled, ocean-front beaches include: Rehoboth Beach (bus-tling, with boardwalk shops and restaurants), Dewey Beach (a wider, flatter beach area) and Tower Road Beach (a quieter beach, part of Del-aware Seashore State Park). More information is available at the following websites: www.leweschamber.com, www.delawarestateparks.com, www.cityofrehoboth,com, and www.townofdeweybeach.com.

35. DELAWARE COMEDY THEATER Loosen up your funny bone with a perfor-mance by the Delaware Comedy Theatre. The Rehoboth Beach based nonprofit improvisa-tional theater group performs throughout the year at various beach venues, presenting shows for all ages: Family Comedy Jams, Evenings of Improv and Adult Comedy Shows. Formed in 2005, the art of improvisation ensures that every show is different. Find performance dates, times, admission costs and more at www.delawarecomedytheatre.com.

36. DOLPHIN WATCHING Enjoy the frolicking dolphins, visible just off-shore along the coast from the end of July through the beginning of October. You could watch from the shore, but why not take a dol-phin excursion for a great day out on the water? A popular provider of dolphin-watching tours is the Fisherman’s Wharf. For more informa-tion, call (302) 645-8862 or visit on the web at www.fishlewes.com/sightseeing.html.


Surf fishing is one of the favorite pastimes of coastal Delaware

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 Herring Point in Cape Henlopen is often simply called “Surfer’s Beach”


37. PARASAILING AND WATERSPORTS Whether you’re seeking an exciting ride or a tranquil view, watersports at the beach guaran-tee a memorable experience. Admire the beauty of the Delaware coast as you parasail, either alone or in tandem. Ride the waters on a wave-runner or try out kiteboarding, waterskiing and many other leisure watercraft options. For more information about Dewey Beach Parasail – and a special discount – check out their list-ing on page 82 of this book.

38. JUNCTION & BREAKWATER TRAIL Completed in 2007, this beautiful trail between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes is a true oasis for hikers, bicyclists and anyone who loves the outdoors. The trail is well maintained, flat and, depending on weather conditions, good for riding and walking all year long. The trail has scenic views of woodlands, marshes and fields, with parking and restrooms midway. Call (302) 739-4702 or visit www.destateparks.com for more information. 39. SEASHORE SPA TREATMENTSRelax your body as you refresh and invigorate your mind and spirit with massage, facials and body treatments at a world-class spa. Personal pampering is offered year-round, with many locations offering special off-season packages. For great ideas on spas and how to treat your-self, check out Renove Med Spa’s listing on page 86 of this book.

40. BIRDWATCHING Bounded on the east by the Atlantic and on the west by the Rehoboth and Indian River Bays, the 2,825-acre Delaware Seashore State Park offers incredible birdwatching opportunities. More than 350 species of birds have been iden-

tified along the coast, where Delaware has pro-tected a significant amount of critical bird habi-tat, attracting migrating species and providing a nesting area for others. For information, go to www.destateparks.com or call (302) 227-2800.

41. TENNIS Play tennis at one of the many area courts or sharpen your skills with lessons from a pro. Specializing in working with families, Marty Godwin Tennis of Rehoboth Beach offers year-round tennis activities, private lessons, and camps for children and adults. Call (302) 226-1697, or visit www.martygodwintennis.com.

42. INDIAN RIVER LIFESAVING STATION MUSEUM Located on Route 1 just south of Dewey Beach near the Indian River Inlet, this 1879 station was used by the US Lifesaving Service and Coast Guard to watch for floundering ships. Restored to its 1905 appearance, it is home to a museum, gift shop and a slew of extraordi-nary Delaware Seashore State Park classes and activities. Included are classes in crafts like Sailors’ Valentines, Turk’s Head knot bracelets and seashore wreath making (an art that incor-porates materials found while beachcombing). Guides escort guests through various, coastal and natural wonders as they teach about terra-pins, osprey, ghost crabs, monarch migrations and more. Pre-registration is required for some activities. For information call (302) 227- 6991.

43. EXPLORE THE INLAND BAYS Appreciate the wonder of Delaware’s inland bays firsthand. During summer months, the Delaware Seashore State Park offers pontoon boat tours on the Indian River and Rehoboth Bays, incorporating opportunities to view bird

life around the Burton Island nature preserve. Visitors can also tour Rehoboth Bay’s marsh islands and the Assawoman Wildlife Area via kayak. Reservations are required for the kayak tours and strongly recommended for the pon-toon boat tours. For reservations and more information regarding requirements and pro-gram costs, call the Indian River Lifesaving Sta-tion Museum at (302) 227- 6991.

44. CAPE MAY–LEWES FERRY Take a fabulous ferry trip across the Delaware Bay, enjoying lighthouses, harbor views and all types of nautical life along the way ( you may even see some dolphins!). Each ferry makes a memorable, 80-minute trip between the Lewes and Cape May terminals and can accommodate up to 1,000 passengers and 100 cars. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry also hosts several special event cruises, including a popular Fourth of July fireworks cruise. To find more information on the ferry, check out their listing on page 80. You can also check schedules and make reserva-tions at www.capemaylewesferry.com.

45. CAMPING Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks, as well as many privately-owned camp-grounds, provide ample and excellent camping opportunities. Cape Henlopen accommodates seasonal, tent and RV camping with 139 family sites with water hookups and 17 without. Dela-ware Seashore State Park accommodates lim-ited, year-round camping, allowing both tents and RVs. It has 145 family sites with hookups, 156 overflow sites for self-contained units and 133 family sites without hookups. For infor-mation visit www.destateparks.com or call (877) 987-2757. For other information on camp-ing opportunities, visit www.beach-fun.com.

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 Whether taking a stroll with a loved one or enjoying some alone time, the beach is enchanting in the low light

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 Looking back toward northern Rehoboth from Gordon Pond Wildlife Area


46. A NIGHT AT THE THEATER With several theater companies in the region, there are year-round opportunities for audi-ences of all ages to enjoy top-quality produc-tions at the beach. Putting on thought-pro-voking plays and high-energy musicals, local companies feature both Delaware actors and a range of guest artists from across the country. Contact the following groups for more infor-mation on shows, locations, dates and times: Clear Space Theatre Company at (302) 644-3810 and www.clearspacetheatrecompany.com; Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre at (302) 227-6766 or www.rehobothchildrenstheatre.org; Possum Point Players at (302) 856-3460 and www.possumpointplayers.org; and The Freeman Stage at www.freemanstage.org.

47. LIGHTSHIP OVERFALLS MARITIME MUSEUM Explore this unique piece of maritime history – one of 17 “floating lighthouses” remaining in the world (of the 179 built between 1820 and 1952). It was recently refurbished and is located in historic Lewes, along the canal, just north of the Savannah Road Bridge. Guided tours are available six days a week during the summer season and intermittently year-round. For more information, call (302) 644-8050 or visit www.overfalls.org.

48. BOATING AND SAILING Bring your boat – or rent one while you’re here – to enjoy Delaware’s excellent boat-ing conditions on the Atlantic Ocean and on the Rehoboth and Delaware bays. Informa-tion is available from any of the region’s many marinas. Sailboat rentals are available in both Dewey Beach and Lewes. For sailing lessons and rentals, contact the Rehoboth Bay Sailing

Association at www.rbsa.org or (302) 227-9008. A popular option for boat slips and rent-als is the Rehoboth Bay Marina; call (302) 226-2012, or visit www.rehobothbaymarina.com.

49. LEWES HISTORICAL SOCIETY Enjoy a glimpse at life in the first town in the first state as you visit the Lewes Historical Society’s 12 historic properties. The society’s charming complex, located at the intersection of Second and Shipcarpenter streets, houses nine of the properties, including the Ryves Holt House (circa 1665) and Midway School #178 (circa 1898). See classic Philadelphia furnish-ings at the Burton-Ingram House, get a glimpse of 18th century rural life at the Rabbit’s Ferry House and see treasures from Lewes’ bygone seafaring days at the Cannonball House. Tours are conducted year-round, and tickets are $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free, and more information is available by calling (302) 645-7670 or visiting historiclewes.org.

50. REHOBOTH ART LEAGUETake in the exhibitions. Discover and expand your talents as you take art classes, admire (and paint!) beautiful buildings and scen-ery, and gain valuable insights in workshops and lectures…all at the Rehoboth Art League. Founded in 1938, this year-round base for cul-tural and artistic activities reflects the diversity and history of the community as it encour-ages artists and arts education throughout the year. Located on three-and-a-half beauti-ful acres, the art league complex includes The Homestead, which was constructed in 1743 by Peter Marsh and is on the National Register of Historic Places. For information, visit the Art League at 12 Dodd’s Lane, call (302) 227-8408 or go to www.rehobothartleague.org.

THE SUMMER CAPITAL SUMMER 2010 A deck on Silver Lake makes a perfect perch for geese and a blue heron

the summer capital 2011 - 50 things to do

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