Lewes – Baltimore Magazine

Six Secluded Small Towns to Visit This Fall

Aaron Hope — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:35:38 +0000

Travel & Outdoors

Small Town Splendor

Skip the crowds at these six secluded getaways.

By Marty LeGrand

September 2024

FALL GIVES US SCORES OF REASONS to embrace it. The days are cooler and nights more cuddle-worthy. It’s a time for homecomings, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes. It’s when weekends beckon you to pick apples, visit vineyards, and take leisurely hikes through fiery-colored forests.

The only hitch, hon, is that you aren’t alone. An army of autumn lovers flocks to favorite destinations this time of year. One solution? Think small. As in tiny towns off well-beaten paths. Places celebrated for their singularity, friendliness, and reliably good eats while also possessing the creature comforts and amenities travelers crave.

We suggest six such teensy escape pods for your consideration, all within a few hours’ drive of Charm City and, hopefully, devoid of crowds. But shhhh—don’t overshare them on social media.

EVERYONE KNOWS STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania, home of Penn State University. Not everyone, however, knows about neighboring Bellefonte, a wellspring of industry, wealth, and political power since before the school even existed. Still the seat of Centre County government, overlooked Bellefonte is being rediscovered by those who love its revived downtown, Gilded Age grandeur, and wild mountain setting in the heart of “Happy Valley.”

OPENING IMAGE: RURAL COUNTRYSIDE IN CENTRE COUNTY, PA. ABOVE: TALLEYRAND PARK.—COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES/ALEX POTEMKIN AND CARLA CIPRO, RESPECTIVELY.

BEST BETS: Bellefonte’s namesake “beautiful fountain.” An 1889 train station turned visitors’ center. A brick promenade, a scenic walking route, iconic monuments, and a sculpture garden. You’ll find them all in Talleyrand Park, the town’s lush, vibrant center. The clear, cool Spring Creek—a renowned trout stream— tumbles over a spillway and ripples through the park. Downstream at Sunnyside Paddling Park, watch kayakers train for competition on a specially designed slalom course.

Back on land, take Local Historia’s guided and self-guided tours to learn about Bellefonte’s 19th-century architecture, much of which has been preserved, plus the town’s iron-making heydays, its Underground Railroad connection, and famous citizens, including seven governors and one trail-blazing female architect. And don’t miss the Bellefonte Art Museum, which showcases and sells local artworks and features unique local history exhibits.

Also check out reborn ex-industrial sites. A former gristmill, Gamble Mill features a farm-to- table restaurant, craft cocktail bar, the boutique Inn at Gamble Mill, and the Speakeasy, a special events venue. At Titan Park, an old metal factory now houses a restaurant, market, and trio of spirits purveyors: Axemann Brewery, Mad McIntosh Cider, and Witches’ Hollow Winery.

LOCAL HISTORIA TOURS; BELLFONTE ART MUSEUM. —COURTESY OF LOCAL HISTORIA AND THE BELLEFONTE ART MUSEUM/LORI FISHER, RESPECTIVELY.

EAT: Get a breakfast bowl or overstuffed sub at Bonfatto’s Italian Market and Corner Café, a Bellefonte institution. Four Ways Pub & Eatery serves mighty tasty smashburgers along with comfort classics like grilled cheese sandwiches with house-made tomato soup.

EXPLORE: Fifteen minutes from town, Bald Eagle State Park offers excellent hiking, biking, and lodging at The Nature Inn, an ecolodge overlooking the lake. In late October, though, beware large airborne squash when Punkin’ Chunkin’ contestants launch pumpkins lakeward from medieval-esque catapults. Departing from Bellefonte Train Station at Talleyrand Park, the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society’s vintage rail cars run fall foliage excursions and trips to Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, a 19th-century iron plantation.

STAY: Several of Bellefonte’s Gilded Age mansions welcome guests. Stay in splendor at Our Fair Lady B&B, whose owners named their inn—and several of its rooms—in honor of the famous Lerner and Loewe musical through which they met as high-school students.

IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE Budget Travel magazine crowned this charming Worcester County community “America’s Coolest Small Town.” More accolades followed, from Oprah to Esquire to Buzzfeed. Still, Berlin retains its homespun-ness— annual bathtub races and a peach festival are still big deals—while also welcoming a modern-hospitality business boom. Walkable and lovingly restored, the historic downtown offers scads of browsable boutiques, art galleries, and a Sunday farmers market through the end of the month. Later, sip a spell at a craft brewery or winery.

Greyhound Bookstore.—Courtesy of The Greyhound Bookstore.

BEST BETS: Shop Fathom & Co for fashionable women’s clothing, and Viking Tree for brawny menswear. Pick up a weekend read at The Greyhound, an indie bookstore named for the owners’ racetrack-rescued pet, or a potted plant from Eastern Woodland. Try primo olive oils at Una Bella Salute, plus house-made pickles and piquant hot sauces at Gilbert’s Provisions. Don’t miss The Globe, a former silent movie house turned gastropub and live performance hall, or the delightful Mermaid Museum in the repurposed Odd Fellows building. The latter explores the folklore of these mythic creatures, and even boasts one of P. T. Barnum’s taxidermied half-monkey, half-fish “Feejee Mermaids.”

From top: The Inn Berlin; Baked Dessert Cafe; Blacksmith Restaurant's delicious fare. —Courtesy of The Inn Berlin/Brandy Durst, Baked Dessert Cafe & Gallery, BLACKSMITH'S RESTAURANT/JUSTINE ZEGNA, respectively.

EAT: Sample irresistible confections like Baked Dessert Cafe’s peach dumplings (Berlin’s official dessert) or Mandala Pies’ “Old Farmers Almanac,” a three-pound apple pie with a cinnamon- roll crust. For lunch or dinner, Blacksmith serves farm-to-table fare with regional panache (Bánh mì with scrapple anyone?).

IMBIBE: It’s easy to sip your favorite tipple on this speck of the Eastern Shore. At Burley Oak Brewing Company, founded by Bryan Brushmiller of Essex, quaff a house IPA in the beer garden. The newest neighborhood brewer is Berlin Beer Company, scheduled to open around press time in a former feed store. Meanwhile, savor small-batch spirits at Forgotten 50 Distilling, with cocktails like the “Baltimore,” a Marylander’s Manhattan featuring Baltimore Spirits Company’s rye whiskey. Also enjoy one of The Buzz Meadery’s meads or mead-cider blends, fermented from local apples and pears. Or even relish an afternoon of wine and wildflowers at Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery, a historic family farm in an incomparably pastoral setting.

STAY: The Inn Berlin, the town’s newest B&B, offers upscale amenities and hip décor in a historic farmhouse that’s an easy walk from town.

LEWES, AT THE MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, has endured a tumultuous past: short-lived Dutch settlement, pirate hideout, 1813 British naval target, ship graveyard, World War II defense battery. Today, it’s a place of refuge where the shop-lined streets are tranquil and the resplendent harbor holds only harmless fishing boats, yachts, and a ferry that churns back and forth to New Jersey. It’s an ideal offseason base for exploring coastal Delaware’s lesser-known beaches and byways.

Cape Henlopen State Park Gordon Pond Trail; Breakwater Lighthouse. —Shutterstock

BEST BETS: Cape Henlopen State Park is the nexus for biking and hiking trails—the most scenic being Gordons Pond Trail, offering Instagram-worthy views of the Atlantic. Birders, take note: In fall, the park’s hawk watch tallies thousands of migrating raptors. And while there are both park and town beaches, be sure to seek out more secluded sands, too. Two lie to the north between Lewes and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, another birders’ paradise, or the northern Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve. Better known but equally isolated, Broadkill Beach, a horseshoe crab sanctuary, offers miles of shoreline for beachcombing, fishing, and bonfires. Forgot bug spray or water? The Broadkill Store has you covered, plus breakfast and lunch.

From top: The Lightship Overfalls Museum; Prime Hook; Lewes Oyster House; The Vintage Underground. —Courtesy of Shutterstock, Lewes Oyster House/MEGHAN STEELE/HEARTBEAT BRANDING, and The Vintage Underground, respectively.

EAT: It’s fall, so make like a Marylander and go all in for oysters. At Lewes Oyster House, a classy nod to old seafood houses, eat them raw, roasted, and charbroiled. Also enjoy bivalves, burgers, and pumpkin ales at Big Oyster Brewery. Just outside of town, The Station on Kings has a bakery and café worth visiting for seasonal fare.

BROWSE: Lewes’ tiny downtown abounds with boutiques. Pamper your pets with gifts from P.U.P.S. of Lewes, where there’s often a friendly canine in residence. As a child, Michele Buckler, the owner of Sand N Stones gift and nature shop, loved to collect river rocks at her grandparents’ farm in Upperco; now, she sells her own wire-wrapped jewelry (including gems and sea glass), plus local field guides and holistic products. Shop for vintage vinyl at The Vintage Underground. Get a cup of joe at Notting Hill Coffee Roastery and try resisting house-baked goodies like their Ooey Gooeys. Don’t miss the regionally renowned Historic Lewes Farmers Market on Saturdays through November 23.

STAY: Based on your druthers, book overnight digs along the Lewes-Rehoboth canal. The boutique Hotel Blue is a lap of luxury with in-room fireplaces and an indoor sauna. The Dogfish Inn, a campy retro motel, offers e-bike rentals and bike tours led by beer-schlepping sherpas, all tied to the Dogfish Head Brewery, based just up the road.

The Zwaanendael Museum. —Courtesy of Wikimedia Commmons.

WITH MATCHLESS MOUNTAIN VIEWS, small Shenandoah Valley towns—such as Strasburg, Woodstock, Edinburg, New Market, and Mount Jackson, to name a few—are like potato chips to leaf peepers traveling Interstate 81 or U.S. 11. Meaning you can’t stop at just one. Consider Mount Jackson, especially, for Virginia’s longest covered bridge, a classic bowling alley (with duckpins, no less), apple orchards, vineyards, a double shot of convivial coffee houses, and one iconic snack factory.

The Shenandoah Valley at Shenandoah National Park. —SHUTTERSTOCK/JON BILOUS

BEST BETS: Rising above I-81, Mount Jackson’s water tower depicts a trompe-l’oeil basket of Shenandoah Valley apples and indicates the town exit. Seek out the Visitors Center, with its town museum that showcases Mount Jackson’s rich past. Meanwhile, partake in a living piece of local history at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, a duckpin alley that opened in 1948. Aficionados of Charm City’s classic sport will love its six vintage lanes and 1950s vibe. South of town, drive across the historic, 200-foot-long Meems Bottom Covered Bridge, spanning the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Then drive a little farther to an absolute must-stop, the Route 11 Potato Chips factory, where you can sample and purchase these crispy regional favorites. The town’s first-ever Tater Fest honored “Jacktown’s” beloved spud in September, featuring a French fry-eating contest, a Couch Potato 5K, and more tuber tributes.

From top: River Bluff Farm Bed and Breakfast; Apple orchard pickings; Meem's Bottom Bridge; Route 11 Potato Chips factory. —COURTESY OF RIVER BLUFF FARM B&B, Shutterstock, Wikimedia Commons, and ROUTE II POTATO CHIPS; APK, CC BY-SA 4, respectively.

EAT: Chat up locals at either of Main Street’s community-oriented coffee shops. Coffee to Grow preaches the gospel of pour-over brewing and hosts special teas, while Coffee & Cream serves fresh-brewed java and hand-dipped ice cream. Both sell yummy baked goods. Southern Kitchen, a diner in nearby New Market, has served quintessential Virginia dishes since 1955. Think fried chicken, stewed tomatoes, and even peanut soup.

GET FRUITY: Pick a big bag of apples at Showalter’s Orchard in Timberville and don’t leave without tasting their dreamy apple cider doughnuts. Its on-site cidery also serves hard and regular cider. Afterwards, follow a mini wine trail to three local vineyards: Cave Ridge, an award-winning winery hailed for its service; The Winery at Kindred Pointe, serving vino and hard ciders in its equestrianthemed tasting room; and Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyards, a family-run winery in a picturesque setting.

STAY: Eat breakfast on a deck overlooking the Shenandoah River’s North Fork at River Bluff Farm B&B, a secluded log-cabin inn in New Market. Mountainside rental lodgings near Bryce Resort in Bayse also include modern cabins, chalets, and even heated glamping tents. All offer splendid valley views.

LIKE ITS FRENCH NAMESAKE, THIS Paris is for lovers—of romance and nature. Only an hour from the nation’s capital but seemingly light years from civilization, this bucolic Blue Ridge foothills outpost is the teeniest of our small towns. Yet it’s easily accessible and well-situated. On the outskirts of Virginia horse country, it’s blessed with an uber-romantic country bed-and-breakfast, The Ashby Inn, and surrounded by award-winning wineries, as well as green spaces ideal for hiking, foliage viewing, and amorous stargazing.

Hunter’s Head Tavern. —COURTESY OF HUNTERS HEAD TAVERN

BEST BETS: Enjoy fall scenery along the miles of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding trails—including part of the Appalachian Trail—at Sky Meadows State Park, a nearly 2,000-acre gift to the Commonwealth by philanthropist Paul Mellon. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, Sky Meadows also admits visitors after dark to admire the heavens from its observation area. Consort with conifers, behold a bevy of boxwoods, and gawk at grandiose “champion trees” at the State Arboretum of Virginia in nearby Boyce. In late October, a 300-tree grove becomes a vibrant yellow bower during Ginkgo Fest.

Blandy Experimental Farm; The Ashby Inn. —Courtesy of Blandy Experimental Farm and The Ashby Inn, respectively.

EAT: The Ashby Inn’s farm-to-table restaurant boasts more dining honors than its tasting menu has courses: “most romantic,” “best scenic view,” “best brunch,” and numerous Wine Spectator awards. Reservations required. Enjoy more farm-to-fork dining at Hunter’s Head Tavern, a British-style spot in Upperville, owned by the certified organic Ayrshire Farm and featuring dishes like Ayrshire pork loin, seared and served with a blackberry-sage sauce. In nearby Marshall, Field & Main is another regionally sourced treat.

SAVOR: Seven miles south of Paris lies Delaplane, a cradle of fine Virginia winemaking. Oenophiles will love Lost Mountain (formerly RdV Vineyards), a world-class winery now in the hands of French vintners. It offers appointment-only tours of its grape-strewn grounds and wine caves followed by tastings. Meanwhile, family-run Delaplane Cellars affords glorious views of the countryside and an array of award-winning wines. At the 500- acre Valley View Farm, sip site-made wines and hard ciders, then shop for local jams, honeys, and fruit butters at its Locavore Farm Market.

STAY: The historic Ashby Inn is Paris’ primary claim to fame. It offers six romantic rooms (think four-poster beds and cozy quilts) in the 1829 main house, as well as four suites with soaking tubs and fireplaces in a converted 1893 schoolhouse. All come with sweeping views of the countryside, plus a gourmet country breakfast.

RESEARCH TELLS US THAT IMMERSING ONE’S senses in nature lowers our heart rate and blood pressure. If that’s so, Stroudsburg is a traveler’s answer to Xanax. Nestled in the Poconos, this lovely town is surrounded by parks, forests, creeks, nature preserves, the awe-inspiring Delaware Water Gap, and two Ice Age remnants deemed National Park Service Natural Landmarks. When not neck deep in nature, discover varied dining, a lively theater, and shops aplenty in town.

The Delaware Water Gap. —Shutterstock

BEST BETS: Straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area follows 40 scenic miles of the Delaware River. If popular trails thwart your privacy, seek lesser-known paths to peaceful wilderness immersion, such as nearby Dingmans Ferry, where Hornbecks Creek Trail leads to Indian Ladders, a picturesque, sluicing waterfall. On the New Jersey side, hike Dunnfield Creek Trail past stately hemlocks to Sunfish Pond, a natural glacial lake and designated Natural Landmark. Pennsylvania has its own glacial-age Natural Landmark, the Tannersville Cranberry Bog. Book a guided walk with the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center to admire the ancient peat bog’s native orchids, calla lillies, and carnivorous pitcher plants. Birders will enjoy Stroudsburg’s Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. At this former golf course, old cart paths offer top-notch fall feather sightings. You might even score an eagle.

The Beef Wellington at Memento; Cafe Duet. COURTESY OF MEMENTO RESTAURANT and NATALIE DIXON, respectively.

EAT: Wake up with an espresso at Café Duet, then order a gourmet sandwich to-go for your picnic nosh. Corned beef and cabbage can also be savored at Siamsa, an authentic Irish pub. For fine dining, Momento is home to house-made pastas and other Italian specialties prepared by the restaurant’s European-trained chef.

WANDER: Reflecting varied 19th-century architectural styles, downtown buildings have been adapted for 21st-century uses. Shop for hiking gear at Dunkelberger’s, a beloved outfitter housed where Freemasons once met. Buy bath products, soy candles, and handmade jewelry at Pocono Soap, once the residence of a U.S. attorney general. A former five-and-dime has morphed into Main Street Jukebox, now a treasure trove of new and used vinyl and CDs. When the nearby Sherman Theater opened in 1929, Laurel and Hardy headlined, and today, the venue hosts concerts, musicals, comedians, speakers, and special events, like October’s EMO Night Halloween Party.

STAY: The Swiftwater—a 100-room, mountainside hotel—opened in June, offering guest coddling amenities: an indoor-outdoor pool, plunge-pool suites, a garden patio complete with fire pit, and a fine-dining restaurant.

Source

How to Have Fun in the Sun at the Beach

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 08:00:00 +0000

>> Fireworks-lovers won’t want to miss the
Ocean City Beach Fireworks (10 p.m., Ocean City). The eight-minute
displays are visible along the boardwalk every Monday and Tuesday.

>> Indulge your competitive side with Family
Beach Olympics (6:30-8:30 p.m., Ocean City) every Tuesday through Aug.
6. Participate in free contests for building sandcastles, tug-of-war,
and relays.

>> Bring the whole gang to Movies on the Beach
(Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays, various locations in Ocean
City) for family-friendly flicks. Bring your own beach chair or
blanket.

>> Snap up work in a variety of mediums by talented local artists at Arts on the Dock (Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., Ocean City).

>> The 35th Annual Sandcastle Contest (Aug. 3,
12-4 p.m., Rehoboth Beach, DE) always amazes spectators with intricate
designs ranging from swamp animals to mermaids.

>> Bring your kids to the 2013 Children’s Day at Sunset Park (Aug. 4, Ocean City) for children’s games and educational activities.

>> Gearheads unite at the O.C. Cruzers Car
Show and Music event (Aug. 4 & 18, 2-7 p.m., Ocean City) for this
custom-car show featuring live music.

>> Experience some wholesome family fun at the
2013 Worcester County Fair (Aug. 9-11, Snow Hill) with livestock and
horse shows, children’s rides and activities, live entertainment, and
food and craft vendors.

>> Marvel at the thrills and spills of riding
the pipeline during the Delmarva ESA Surfing Competition (Aug. 10, 6
a.m.-7 p.m., Ocean City) for youth and adults.

>> Fitness buffs might be interested in
participating in the 5th Greene Turtle Lewes 5K (Aug. 18, 8:15 a.m.,
Lewes, DE). Did we mention there will be beer afterward?

For more information, visit ococean.com or delmarvabeachguide.com.

AFTER THE FLOOD: The Ocean City Inlet was created during a particularly strong 1933 hurricane.

Source

Beach Bargains

Jess Mayhugh — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Sandcastles and flip-flops. Orange Crushes and Dewey Devils. The
Hurricane and the Tidal Wave. Soon, summer’s abiding pleasures will be
yours. As the countdown begins, we’ve found more than 50 ways to stretch
your beach bucks a little further this summer.

Ocean City & Assateague Island

There’s plenty to do at the resort town and the national wildlife refuge.

Deals Under $10

Grab a phaser and join your comrades for a game of laser tag at Lasertron
(33rd Street). The objective is to score as many points as possible by
trying to deactivate other players with your laser light. Cost: $9. planetmaze.com

Try summer ice-skating at the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel’s indoor rink (118th Street). Five bucks buys you an hour of ice time. Add $3 if you need to rent skates. carouselhotel.com

Sip summer’s favorite elixir, an Orange Crush, at the cocktail’s reputed birthplace, Harborside Bar & Grill in West Ocean City. The refreshing blend of vodka, Triple Sec, fresh-squeezed OJ, and 7Up fetches $5.50 at happy hour. weocharborside.com

Get spooked at an all-star boardwalk attraction, Trimper’s Haunted House.
Designed by a master of macabre amusements, this “dark ride” features
zombies, torture chambers, and spine-chilling stunts for The
Munsters-era prices—$4 per ride. ochh.net

Ride the Beach Bus all day for $3. Hop its Park
& Ride shuttle to West Ocean City to shop the new Under Armour and
Crocs stores at the Tanger Outlets. In Ocean City, the Coastal Highway
route is a steal: 24 hours of unlimited-stop downtown service. oceancitymd.gov

A Priceless Souvenir

Buy Ocean City, Maryland: A Pictorial History, perfect for beach
nostalgists; $19.98 at Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum gift shop
(813 S. Atlantic Ave.).

Watch For. . .

The release of Ping Pong Summer.Mt. Airy native
Michael Tully’s coming-of-age-in-Ocean City comedy starring Susan
Sarandon, Amy Sedaris, O.C.’s own Emmi Shockley, and the resort’s
rebuilt boardwalk.

Thrifty Day Trips

Assateague Island is a must visit. Go beachcombing, swimming, surf
fishing, clamming, and searching for all sorts of wildlife, including
the famed feral horses. Just $15 per vehicle for seven days’ access to
Assateague Island National Seashore and $4 each (Maryland residents’
rate) for daily entry to Assateague State Park. Admission is free if on
foot or bicycle. nps.gov/asis/index.htm.
Designate a driver and hit the Delmarva Wine and Ale Trail. Burley Oak
Brewing Company in Berlin offers free tours of its
barrel-factory-turned-brewery on Saturdays, Sundays, and rainy days. The
Maryland Wine Bar in Berlin is a one-stop winery tour, serving $1
tastings ($10 flights) of more than three dozen Maryland wines. toastourcoast.com

Cheap Dates

Romantic romps don’t have to cost a lot.

1. Alaska Stand burgers, Thrasher’s French fries, a
Dumser’s Dairyland milkshake with two straws: What’s more romantic than
sharing a boardwalk meal? Escaping afterwards to a secret beach. Anglers
like Homer Gudelsky Park aka “Stinky Beach” (an outdated description,
BTW) in West O.C., but it’s also an uncrowded option for watching
Tuesday night fireworks. co.worcester.md.us

2. Go stylin’ at Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill
(54th Street). Tailor your attire for Tuesday night’s wacky themed
parties—anything from hippies to rednecks to nerds—to get discounted
drinks and prizes as you kick back at this open-air beach bar. mackys.com

3. On Thursdays, take an afternoon bus to West Ocean
City ($4 for two, round trip) and browse Ocean City Fishing Center’s
Arts on the Docks, showcasing local artists’ works. Return pre-dusk and
head for O.C.’s answer to Mallory Square, Sunset Park, where sunset
worshippers enjoy weekly free concerts and spectacular solar descents. ococean.com

Family Freebies

Bring blankets and munchies (don’t forget the kids’ glow sticks) and
enjoy the city’s nearly nightly entertainment: movies, concerts,
fireworks, laser light shows, and family athletic competitions. Various
beach locations and invariably free. ococean.com

Learn about Ocean City B.C. (before condos), the finer points of
tying half hitches, and other cool stuff at the Life-Saving Station
Museum’s free boardwalk educational programs, which begin July 4.
Offered daily except Sunday. Kids adore shark-seminar Thursdays and
aquarium-feeding Saturdays. ocmuseum.org

Spend a day at Northside Park (125th Street), the city’s largest,
most lavishly equipped recreation area. Play softball or soccer. Walk or
jog the extensive paths. Enjoy awesome crabbing in Assawoman Bay. On
Sundays, pack a picnic and stay for Sundaes in the Park, a sweet deal
featuring free evening entertainment and inexpensive ice cream. ococean.com

Visit the Ocean City Branch of the Worcester County Library (100th
Street). Programs like story time will enthrall youngsters while you
chill out with the latest Grisham thriller or check e-mail on the
library’s public computers. Library cards are free to Maryland residents
with an ID. worcesterlibrary.org

Bethany Beach & Fenwick Island

The Delaware towns are known as “the quiet resorts.”

Deals for $10 or less

Bike lanes make pedaling around Bethany Beach a pleasure. Rent wheels
from Fenwick Islander Bicycle Shop ($10 up to three hours, $25 for 24
hours) and tour the town. Count how many historic camp-meeting cottages
you see. fenwickbikes1.com

Save time and euros: Order an authentic Italian dinner to go from
“Best of Delaware” Italian food winner DiFebo’s (789 Garfield Pkwy.,
Bethany Beach). Pasta with meatballs, baked rigatoni, and other
family-portioned entrees run $7-10 per person. difebos.com

Pick a lucky-color ball and go miniature golfing. Captain Jack’s
Pirate Golf in downtown Bethany charges $8 each per round all day. At
Viking Golf in Fenwick, $8 buys unlimited daytime play and one round
after 5 p.m. captainjackspirategolf.com; vikinggolfamusements.com

Pay pauper’s prices to see a king’s ransom in precious shipwreck
artifacts (gold bars, silver coins, pirate booty) at DiscoverSea
Shipwreck Museum (708 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island). Admission is free;
donations accepted. discoversea.com

Skip Bethany Beach’s parking and traffic headaches and take the
town’s sea-blue shuttle buses (“Jolly Trolleys”) instead. The one-way
fare is $2.50. jollytrolley.com/bethany.html

A $150-Million-Dollar View

Admire ocean and bay vistas from the new Indian River Inlet Bridge, a
futuristic cable-stayed span connecting Bethany Beach and Rehoboth
Beach. Carrying busy Route 1, the bridge is toll-free and safer now for
pedestrians and cyclists, thanks to an extra-wide sidewalk.

Watch For. . .

Restaurateur Matt Haley’s newest comfort-food emporium, Papa Grande’s
Coastal Taqueria, opening next to the chef’s Catch 54 on the Route 54
bridge in Fenwick Island.

Cultural Values

Enjoy music, dance, and theater at one of Delaware’s cultural gems,
Freeman Stage at Bayside, in Selbyville. Most performances at the
open-air venue are free; others cost as little as $10-20. Big-name acts
(like Lyle Lovett, pictured above, Sheryl Crow, and Pat Benatar this
summer) fetch somewhat more. BYOC (Bring Your Own Chairs).
freemanstage.org. Believe your eyes: There’s trickery afoot in tiny
Millville near Bethany Beach. Watch top-rate magicians at Dickens
Parlour Theatre, an intimate setting straight out of Victorian England.
Tickets $20-36. dptmagic.com

Frugal Field Trips

Save money and soak up culture and nature.

1. Learn the history of Fenwick Island Lighthouse,
built in 1858, including the fight to get the decommissioned beacon
relighted 30 years ago. Admission is free, though donations are
appreciated. Visiting dates and hours vary. fenwickislandlighthouse.org

2. Organize an ocean and bay family day. Take a
kayak class ($25 for families; $50-100 for others) or guided paddle
(from $50-100 per person) from Coastal Kayak, located on Little
Assawoman Bay across from Fenwick Island State Park. Then relax on the
park’s powdery white ocean beaches (admission $4).

3. Go bird-watching, admire a wildflower garden, and
learn about Delaware flora and fauna while hiking through woods and
wetlands at James Farm Ecological Preserve on Indian River Bay (Cedar
Neck Rd., Ocean View). Admission is free. inlandbays.org

Family Freebies

Forget stadium seating; gather the gang in beach chairs on starlit
Garfield Parkway Beach for Bethany Beach’s Monday night movies. The
flicks are G or PG and no fee. bethany-fenwick.org

Arrive early to snag seats for the most popular show in Bethany
Beach: free weekend performances at the boardwalk bandstand. Most are
concerts (rock, country, jazz, tribute bands, military brass), but other
acts include dancers and children’s shows. bethany-fenwick.org

Take the kids to a school they’ll love: Saturday morning nature
programs at Bethany Beach Nature Center (807 Garfield Pkwy.). After
story time, they’ll enjoy hands-on lessons at the center’s outdoor
classroom, a pristine marshland. inlandbays.org

Fly a kite on the beach. Fenwick Island’s and South Bethany’s beaches
permit such aerial acrobatics (but always obey the lifeguards). Kite
flying is restricted on Bethany’s public beach to before 9:30 a.m. (10
a.m. on weekends) and after 5:30 p.m. (5 p.m. on weekends).

Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach & Lewes

The shore communities offer vacationers an array of activities.

Deals Under $10

Energize for a day downy ocean with breakfast at JD’s Filling
Station, a motoring-themed diner in downtown Lewes. We dare you to spend
more than 10 bucks. The Early Riser Special (two eggs, toast, bacon)
costs less than half that. jdsfillingstation.com

By now you know: Parking equals $$, so public transit makes “cents.”
For $2.50 one-way, Jolly Trolley shuttles you between Rehoboth Beach and
Dewey Beach with stops in both. Or take the bus to nearby beach towns
or the outlets. Use Reho- both’s Park & Ride Lot ($7 fee) and
everyone in your vehicle rides free that day on all buses. jollytrolley.com; dartfirststate.com

Get value and great vistas at Ryan’s rooftop mini golf, overlooking
the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. Perched above Ryan’s Beach Store, the
19-hole course forgoes bells and whistles for family rates, $4 per
person. One-putt the 19th and win a free game. 302-227-2667.

Everyone knows about Friday night Taco Toss at The Lighthouse, part
of Lighthouse Cove Dewey Beach (Ruddertowne). At Mug Night Mondays,
drinks are discounted for those who bring/buy reusable Lighthouse mugs
($10). ruddertowneusa.com

Awesome Apps

Customize Tanger Outlets’ free location-based app to its Rehoboth
Beach mega-outlet and receive app-only deals on your smartphone while
you shop. Programmable to any Tanger location, but only Rehoboth Beach
offers tax-free shopping. tangeroutlet.com/getconnected

Bartender too busy to bring your bill? The Starboard in Dewey Beach
is trying an app for that. Like pay-by-cell parking, Tabbedout, pictured
left, lets you manage your tab and—get this—settle anytime without
barkeep assistance. thestarboard.com

Watch For. . .

The brand-new Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, scheduled to open in the
revamped restaurant/night life complex formerly known as Ruddertowne.
Also, 10 percent savings at retail stores participating in Rehoboth
Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce’s new Sand Dollar Savings program.
Pick up free, QR-coded savings cards at the Rehoboth Beach Visitors
Center. beach-fun.com

Frugal Family Trips

See wildly beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park, pictured above, by
bicycle. Its Seaside Nature Center staff will orient you and provide
free bikes if you need them. $4 per vehicle daily admission for Delaware
residents; $8 for out-of-state vehicles. destateparks.com. Some
superheroes wear oilskins not capes. Relive the days of the U.S.
Lifesaving Service at the Indian River Life-Saving Station museum in
Delaware National Seashore State Park. Self-guided tours: $4 adults, $2
kids six-12; guided lantern tours and lifesaving-equipment
demonstrations $5-10. destateparks.com

Inexpensive Indulgences

1. Visit Rehoboth Beach’s new cupcakery Cake Break
(7 S. First St.) to sample gourmet goodies like the I-rish I Had Another
(Guinness beer cake, Jameson Irish Whiskey filling, Bailey’s Irish
Cream frosting) for $3 each (12 or more, $2.50 each). Kids get free
sprinkles to decorate their cupcakes. cakebreakrehoboth.com

2. Attention curd nerds: You’ll worship the
delicacies at Morgan and Gower Cheesemongers, the hip fromagerie now
occupying a former Rehoboth Beach church (20 Baltimore Ave.). If it’s
available, try the Pick & Mix sampler: $2 per piece or six varieties
for $10. And check out the grilled-cheese “sammich” bar. Find them on
Facebook.

3. Bypass the crowd waiting to dine at Rehoboth
Beach’s wildly popular Henlopen City Oyster House (50 Wilmington Ave.).
Instead, visit off hours to slurp super-fresh oysters ($2.25 each, $12
for six) at their raw bar. hcoysterhouse.com

Family Freebies

Take in some tunes. Rehoboth Beach Bandstand hosts numerous summer
concerts: R&B, oldies, country, jazz, swing, choral, military, and
something called “yacht rock” (think “The Piña Colada Song”).
Thursday-Sunday nights. rehobothbandstand.com

Bring the family and a blanket to free Monday night movies on the
beach at Dagsworthy Street in Dewey Beach. The beach also hosts
Wednesday night bonfires suitable for s’more-making. BYO marshmallows. beach-fun.com

Come to Canalfront Park in Lewes for free entertainment, including
Cinema by the Canal on select Wednesdays and concerts one Friday night
per month. lewescanalfrontpark.org

Ride the wave and learn skimboarding at Alley-Oop’s free Saturday
morning clinics in Dewey Beach, home of the East Coast Skimboarding
Championship, located at New Orleans Street beach. alleyoopskim.com

Learn how little Lewes bravely withstood British bombardment in 1813
at “Delaware and the War of 1812,” an exhibit at the intriguing
Zwaanendael Museum (102 Kings Hwy.). Free admission. history.delaware.gov/museums

Source

The Beach After Dark

Jess Mayhugh — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The beach towels are draped on the deck. There’s a damp ring of sand
in the shower. Evening has fallen, and while the sunlight may be
finished until tomorrow, you’re still radiant and ready to conquer the
“coolest” part of the day—the beach after dark.

A seaside vacation is not all about sun and surf. It’s cocktails at
sunset. Bonfires by the ocean. The boardwalk in all its bright, kinetic
glory. We’ve found 30 fun and engaging ways to spend your evenings at
the Maryland and Delaware beaches this summer.

Ocean City

Get Glowing
The sun has delivered the ta-dah!
moment nightlifers crave—sunset. Time to flip-flop to the bayfront,
where tropically themed restaurants and beach bars embrace unique
twilight traditions. The best known is Fager’s Island (201 60th St.,
410-524-5500), where the staff cranks up Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,”
timed to coincide with the sun’s swoon—even on cloudy days. At Macky’s
Bayside Bar & Grill (54th St., 410-723-5565), sunset signals a Kate
Smith sing-along. Order a frozen Mango Macky and join the chorus
crooning Kate’s rousing “God Bless America.” Or view the day’s dying
rays aboard a yacht. The sleek 75-foot “Judith M,” whose daytime gig is
hauling anglers in style, departs daily at 7:30 p.m. for sunset cruises
in the Atlantic (at Bahia Marina, 22nd St. and the bay, 410-251-5859).

Save The Sawbucks
You’ve depleted your wallet on
gasoline and Guitar Hero Arcade. Now what? Fortunately, O.C. is the
Sand of the Free, where four nights a week the beach becomes a no-cost
family entertainment center. Watch free movies on a big inflatable
screen Mondays and Fridays. Run, flex, and play in the sand at the Beach
Olympics on Tuesdays. Boogie on the Beach to live music on Wednesdays.
(Times, locations, and more family freebies at www.ococean.com.)
Play a family miniature golf marathon at one (or all) of Old Pro Golf’s
four O.C. locations, pictured. Kids three years and younger play for
free, and $4 extra per person buys unlimited rounds on the colorful
outdoor and indoor courses (1-888-OLD-PRO1, 410-524-2645).

Munch A Bunch
No one visits the beach to diet.
Embrace gastric destiny by gorging your way from one end of the boards
to the other on our own Boardwalk 3.6K Evening Classic. Working north
from the inlet, hit these fuel stops (with nearest cross street): The
Dough Roller (S. Division St.) for fresh pizza, Thrasher’s (Wicomico
St.) for indigenous fries, Dumser’s (Dorchester St.) for a chocolate
shake (neutralizes the vinegary fries), Fisher’s (Talbot St.) for
classic caramel popcorn, Polock Johnny’s (Talbot St.) for a corn
dog—now, pop some Tums until reaching . . . the Alaska Stand (8th St.)
for a juicy burger, then burn calories through the lengthy hotel
district (a no-fry zone), and collapse at Candy Kitchen (28th St. and
Philadelphia Ave.) for celebratory chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Practice Your Moves
Remember the “laser dance”
in Ocean’s Twelve? Channel your inner master thief as you slither under,
over, and around a web of laser beams in Ripley’s Impossible LaseRace, a
cat-burglaresque interactive attraction the Believe It or Not! folks
debuted last summer on the Boardwalk (Pier Building, 401 S. Atlantic
Ave., 410-289-5600). Break a light beam and you forfeit points and time.
Bon chance. (Open until midnight or 1 a.m., depending on the number of
customers.)

Play An Adults Arcade
Love ’em or loathe ’em,
one-armed bandits are the new game in town. Join the thousands who’ve
trekked to the Casino at Ocean Downs (10218 Racetrack Rd., Berlin,
410-641-0600), which boasts 750 “video lottery terminals” (i.e., slot
machines) ready to reward winners with something more spendable than
cuddly stuffed giraffes. In addition to push-button slots, Maryland’s
newest casino offers electronic roulette and blackjack daily until 2
a.m.

Go Fish
Stripers and croakers and blues, oh my!
Anglers can wet a line after dark at: Oceanic Fishing Pier (710 S.
Philadelphia Ave., 410-289-2602) and the Route 50 Bridge.

T.G.I. Thursday
Celebrate weekend eve with
thrifty Thursday deals. The Shark on the Harbor (12924 Sunset Ave., West
O.C., 410-213-0924) goes crazy over crustaceans with Lobster Lunacy
dinner specials—provided local fishermen are “catching, not just
fishing.” Plan a girls’ night out at Galaxy 66 (6601 Coastal Hwy.,
410-723-6762), whose rooftop Skye Bar offers discounts on certain
cocktails, or Macky’s (54th Street, bayside, 723-5565), which celebrates
“Little Black Dress Night” with half-price drinks.

Get Spirited
Imbibe history and mystery in
nearby Berlin. Wednesday evenings from July 6 to September 7, hunt
“orbs” and other paranormal activity on Spirits of Berlin guided tours.
The 90-minute walks will chill you with tales of the Witch of Assateague
Island and the ghost of Stephen Decatur, the 19th-century naval hero
who was born near here. (Reservations, 410-920-7200.) Afterward, quaff
an EVO Primal Pale Ale at The Globe (12 Broad St., 410-641-0784), a
neighborhood pub housed in a handsomely restored movie theater.

Surrender Your Keys
Driving’s a drag, especially
at night. Try these convenient conveyances instead: For bayside
bar-hopping, hail Buzz Boat water taxi (561-512-2727; service ’til
midnight); for shopping, hop the Boardwalk Tram (410-289-5311; service
’til midnight) and Coastal Highway buses (410-524-7716; 24-hour service
during the summer, plus a new $3 ride-all-day fare); for late-night
snacking, Just Deliveries fetches food from any local restaurant until
9-10 p.m., depending on the day (877-958-2828), and Fat Daddy’s delivers
its pizzas and subs until 4 a.m. (midtown, 410-524-8228; downtown,
410-289-4040).

Club-Hop
College students and the highly
energized flock to Seacrets (117 49th St., 410-524-4900) for its
Jamaican vibe, potent libations, and dancing in the sand. The popular
Party Block (17th St. and Coastal Hwy., 410-289-6331) packs three
nightclubs (cover bands, ’90s/2000s hits, techno/hip-hop) under one
roof, with a pool bar outdoors. Its kid sibling, the under-21 dance club
H2O (14 Worcester St., 410-289-7102), spins hip-hop. If you get your
kicks singing karaoke, The Sandbar (3303 Coastal Hwy., 410-289-1558),
pictured, stages a lively show with special effects. Outgrown bikini
contests and foam pits? The Ocean Club at the Clarion Resort
Fontainebleau (10100 Coastal Hwy., 1-800-638-2100) offers Top 40 bands
with no cover, and Teaser’s, the tiki bar at Sunset Grille (12933 Sunset
Ave., West Ocean City, 410-213-8110), rocks the harbor with live music
nightly.

Dine Late
As good times roll into the wee hours,
many restaurants keep pace. Satisfy midnight crab-cake cravings at BJ’s
on the Water (115 75th St., 410-524-7575), which serves surf and turf
until 1:30 a.m. daily and offers late-night happy hours Sun.-Thurs.
Enjoy entrees or grownup snacks like artisanal cheeses paired with fine
wine at Liquid Assets (9301 Coastal Hwy., 410-524-7037), pictured, an
uptown bistro and spirits shop that serves a full menu until midnight.
Nibble boardwalk fries served Dublin-style at Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and
Grille (Boardwalk and 4th St., 410-289-7181), offering fries drenched
in Guinness gravy and other Emerald Isle fare until 10 p.m.

Fenwick & the Bethany Beaches

Savor The Silence
Among them, the “Quiet
Resorts” have just one abbreviated, lightly commercialized boardwalk
(Bethany Beach’s). That means visitors can easily enjoy a low-decibel
evening if they wish. Unlike the seaside parks, which close at sunset,
the municipal beaches remain open until at least midnight. So sink your
toes into cool sand and listen to the waves’ ceaseless rhythm. Do beachy
things either forbidden during daylight (like surf fishing) or simply
difficult (like stargazing). For the former, Fenwick Tackle (Route 1 and
Maryland Ave., 302-539-7766) fills anglers’ needs with licenses, bait,
tackle, and tips.

Hunt For Treasure
Shipwrecks litter the Delaware
coast, and there’s no better place to learn about them than DiscoverSea
Shipwreck Museum (708 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 302-539-9366; open
’til 8 p.m. daily). The owner, a compulsive wreck-diver, has recovered a
gazillion artifacts (precious jewelry, bits of pottery, scary medical
implements), many of which inhabit this maritime mausoleum. Since local
beaches still yield wreckabilia, try hunting for buried booty yourself.
Invest in a metal detector at Sea Shell City (downstairs from the
museum) or rent one from Gale Force Rentals of Bethany Beach
(302-539-6244 or 800-321-1592). You might discover a gold coin—or a
hotel guest’s Rolex entombed since 1972.

Play With The Kids
Summer is made for tilting at
tiny windmills and making a big splash in a little lagoon. At Captain
Jack’s Pirate Golf (21 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach,
302-539-1122), you needn’t wear a cocked hat to go mini-golfing, but
where’s the harm, mate? The props—a giant pirate ship and skeletal
sailors—will make ye feel at home. Frolic with other infamous high-seas
marauders—the Vikings—at Thunder Lagoon Water Park (38960 Island St.,
Fenwick Island, 302-539-4027). Cool off with a languid river ride or
brave the “black hole” built-for-two body slide as the amusement park’s
iconic Viking vessel dumps boatloads of water into the splash pool.

Be Amazed
You’ll be enthralled as top magicians
perform at a charming new magic theater honoring Charles Dickens, who
used to dabble in parlor trickery. Dickens Parlour Theatre (35715
Atlantic Ave., Millville, 302-829-1071) hosts “an evening of magic for
the entire family” daily in a cozy theater-cum-Victorian salon west of
Bethany. Its owner, resident magic man Rich Bloch, developed innovations
used (aptly enough) by David Copperfield, among others. Guests get to
chat with performers following the evening shows and rainy-day matinees
and can also opt for a pre-show catered dinner.

Think Santa
While you’re in a Dickensian mood,
begin your holiday gift shopping at Fenwick Island’s all-purpose
emporium, the Seaside Country Store (1208 Coastal Hwy., 302-539-6110,
open ’til 10 p.m.). Famous for its fresh fudge and kicky cheese spread,
the store packs an entire mall’s worth of goodies and gifts into two
floors, including a Christmas shop upstairs.

Strut Your Smarts
Round up your wiseacre friends
for Team Trivia nights on Tuesdays at Smitty McGee’s Raw Bar &
Restaurant (Route 54, West Fenwick Island, 302-436-4716). Discounted
“Yuengs” and wings will help you (or not) with the brain challenges.

Keep It Sweet
From longtime favorites like
Dickey’s Frozen Custard (97 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach) to newcomer
The Blue Scoop (Bayside Village Town Center, West Fenwick Island,
302-436-1166), your cone may runneth over this summer. Have Dickey’s
coat your twisty soft-serve in a layer of chocolate or order one of Blue
Scoop’s sundaes smothered in locally grown peaches. If you’re craving
snowballs, Bonkey’s (35849 Atlantic Ave., Millville, 302-260-2471) has
scores of flavors. Or order one “stuffed” atop a scoop of ice cream. On
Indian River Bay, Serendipity (32580 River Rd., Oak Orchard,
302-945-3600) is known for its gourmet caramel-coated apples.

Dine On Deck
Surrounded by the sea and Little
Assawoman Bay, Fenwick Island is one of our favorite outdoor dining
spots at sunset. Order a drink to match the horizon’s hue and a platter
o’ fresh seafood at Harpoon Hanna’s (Route 54 and the bay,
302-539-3095), pictured, where tropical oasis meets modern sports bar.
Catch 54 (Route 54 and Madison Ave., 302-436-8600) has a split-level
personality: a fine-dining lounge upstairs, shabby-chic fish house
below. Both have great views, but you’ll find us below decks inhaling
fish tacos with spicy mayo.

Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach & Lewes

Go Dancing
When the sun sinks over Rehoboth Bay,
it’s party time in Dewey Beach. Most nightclubs attract a young (or
forever young), energetic crowd, fueled by liquids frozen and potent. A
quickie guide to dancing hotspots and what you’ll enjoy and imbibe: The
Lighthouse (Ruddertowne, 124 Dickinson St., 302-227-4333): a raw bar and
Orange Crushes; Northbeach (125 McKinley St., 302-226-8673): dancing
and a drink concoction called a Dewey Devil; Ponos (1306 Highway One,
302-227-3119): a light show and martinis; Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson
St., 302-227-3888): deck parties and Sunset Sippers; The Starboard (2009
Highway One, 302-227-4600), pictured: a collegiate vibe and Grapefruit
Crushes.

Paddle At Sunset
Here’s a hot new way to watch
the sun cool down: Hawaiian-style by leisurely paddling on an extra-wide
(31 inches), stand-on-top surfboard (aka paddle board). DelMarVa Board
Sport Adventures offers guided Stand Up Paddling (SUP) excursions
nightly from Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes (and other locales).
Leave 90 minutes before sunset, paddle along calm waters, and then
return as the moon rises. Dolphin sightings are common. Trips cater to
beginners. Reservations required, 301-651-0542, delmarvaboardsports.com.

Step Back In Time
Give the kids a history lesson
Xbox can’t offer: a lantern-lit tour of a real World War II artillery
battery. Several times a month, uniformed interpreters lead night
visitors through forsaken Fort Miles, once a heavily armed outpost that
defended the coastline 24/7. Part of Cape Henlopen State Park now, the
old bunkers, gun batteries, and barracks set among windswept dunes, form
a haunting backdrop for your foray. Tour cost, $5 per person;
awesomeness factor, priceless. Advance registration required,
302-645-6852; for tour dates, destateparks.com/attractions/fort-miles.

Seek Chocolate
Organize a chocoholics’ pleasure
hunt for temptation in all its forms. Alcoholic: the Chocolate Cherry, a
grown-up ice cream float (chocolate and cherry vodkas, cherry juice,
chocolate syrup, and vanilla ice cream) at Irish Eyes Pub (213 Anglers
Rd., Lewes, 302-645-6888). Frozen: rich Dutch chocolate ice cream (dark
chocolate with dark chocolate chunks) at King’s Homemade Ice Cream (201
Second St., Lewes, 302-645-9425). Fruity: the Monster Apple, a juicy
Granny Smith wrapped in caramel, roasted pecans, and rich chocolate, at
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (Tanger Outlets, Rehoboth Beach,
302-227-0422). Guiltless: Chocolate Zen, an award-winning European-style
dark chocolate gelato from Gelato Gal (20200 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth
Beach, 302-227-1001). Nostalgic: a “fancy-pants version” of the
childhood favorite Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes featuring PB mousse-filled
brown-butter pound cake with chocolate malt ganache at Salt Air Kitchen
(50 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 302-227-2444).

Croon A Tune
Karaoke isn’t merely a once-a-week
special in Rehoboth Beach; it’s a campy culture. Check out these
hotspots: Frogg Pond Tavern (3 S. First St., 302-227-2234), Tuesday and
Thursday nights; the Purple Parrot (134 Rehoboth Ave., 302-226-1139),
Friday and Saturday nights; and Rigby’s Bar & Grill (404 Rehoboth
Ave., 302-227-6080), Monday nights.

Discover Nature
Marvelous seaside state parks
bookend Rehoboth and Dewey beaches: Delaware Seashore (Highway One,
Rehoboth Beach, 302-227-2800) to the south and Cape Henlopen (Cape
Henlopen Dr., Lewes, 302-645-8983) to the north. Although both beaches
close at sunset, they allow nature-lovers a peek at nocturnal goings-on
via programs guided by naturalists. Bring your flashlight and go
ghost-crab spotting or stretch out on the sand to enjoy a narrated look
at the night sky. Advance registration required (destateparks.com).

Tour The Collective
On the second Saturday of
the month, the Rehoboth Beach Gallery Collective (known as Mosaic) holds
Art Walks from 6 to 9 p.m. as member galleries host special exhibits
and receptions. View and buy paintings, jewelry, sculpture, glassworks,
furnishings, and photography—everything from nautical paintings to funky
furniture. Visit rehobothmosaic.com.

Drive Like Crazy
Not on Route One (it’s usually
gridlocked), but at one of the go-kart tracks along Route One in
Rehoboth Beach. Midway Speedway Park (18645 Coastal Hwy., 302-644-2042)
offers the most choices: five different tracks—including slick, banked,
and super-8 track—and 10-kart styles for speed demons of all ages.
Crocodile Mile, a track at Jungle Jim’s (36944 Country Club Rd.,
302-227-8444), is a nifty pint-sized version of the “Monster Mile,”
Dover International Speedway’s NASCAR track 40 miles up the road.

Catch Live Music
Try these music varieties
paired with the perfect potable: Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One,
Dewey Beach, 302-227-7272): top-notch performers from the Avett Brothers
to Lifehouse with cold brews; Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats (320
Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 302-226-2739), pictured: blues, roots
rock, and offbeat (acoustic-surfer-folk-rock, anyone?) with house-brewed
IPAs; Zogg’s Raw Bar + Grill (1 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach,
302-227-7660): steel drum bands and Rum Runners. Or skip the alcohol and
find a seat at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, pictured left, for free
concerts all summer long.

What’s New: Ocean City

Baltimore’s own skateboard Superman, Bucky Lasek, and his
extreme-sports colleagues will carve up the beach July 21-24 when the
Dew Tour stops in Ocean City for the first time. It’s also the first
oceanside venue for the nationally televised (NBC, MTV, and USA)
skateboard, BMX, and surf competition (www.allisports.com/dew-tour).
Salisbury: The Salisbury Rollergirls’ inaugural flat-track season
features home bouts June 19, July 17, and August 21 at Crown Skating
Center (28410 Crown Rd., Fruitland, 443-736-7652), about a 40-minutes’
drive from O.C. The ladies say it’s all about sisterhood, but with noms
de track like Bust’er Skull and Ida Crazy Momma, we wonder.

What’s New: Fenwick Island

Twining’s Lobster Shanty (37310 Lighthouse Rd., Selbyville,
302-436-2305), a laid-back seafood eatery with bay views; DelMarVa Board
Sport Adventures (39084 Harpoon Rd., 301-651-0542), windsurfing,
stand-up paddling, and—om!—paddle-board yoga lessons. Bethany Beach:
Matt’s Fish Camp—as in chef Matt Haley of Bluecoast, Catch 54, Lupo di
Mare, et al.—opening in North Bethany Beach by summer; Off the Hook (769
Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach, 302-829-1424), a local
dock-to-table/farm-to-table restaurant; Bethany’s first Thrasher’s
French Fries stand; sightseeing rides by C.V.C. Helicopter Service (www.cvchelicopterservice.com).

What’s New: Dewey Beach

Port-Dewey Beach (1205 Highway One, 302-227-0669), a seafood
restaurant that has Thai night every Thursday. Rehoboth Beach: Henlopen
City Oyster House (50 Wilmington Ave., 302-260-9193), a retro-rustic raw
bar/seafood house; JAM Bistro (20 Baltimore Ave., 302-226-JAMM), the
latest eatery from the Eden restaurant folks; a Hatley store with all
manner of nature-inspired apparel, (52 Rehoboth Ave., 302-227-2951); new
stores in the Tanger Outlets, including Dooney & Bourke, and
C.L.A.D. (Current Love and Desire), a clothing/accessories shop is
opening at First Street Station, Rehoboth Avenue. Lewes: Cake Bar (115
Second St., 302-645-2253), a bakery/bistro by SugarBakers of
Catonsville, and Biblion (205 Second St., 302-644-2210), seller of
books, literary gifts, and art.

Dine On High

For an escapist meal, do as the song says: Climb way up to the top of the stairs. Check out these dinner-with-a-view options.

The Cultured Pearl (301 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth
Beach, 302-227-8493) remains the ne plus ultra of “haute” cuisine with
its Japanesque rooftop boardwalk suspended over a man-made lagoon.
Burbling fountains, bamboo, and ultra-fresh sushi will whisk you Far
Eastward.

The Greene Turtle (101 S. Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach,
302-226-2000)—yes, that Greene Turtle—boasts a menu and location that’s
a cut above basic boardwalk eateries. Snag a table on the balcony,
which overhangs the boards, and enjoy sea views with your burger and
those fab pretzels con queso.

Okay, so Planet X Cafe (35 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth
Beach, 302-226-1928) doesn’t have rooftop or even balcony dining. But
this landmark’s purple porch perches above street level and is
invariably described with the “f” word—funky. (One Facebook fan likens
the place to “a psychedelic monastery.”) Achieve dietary peace with a
curry or tofu Zen Bowl.

Two Seas (1300 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach,
302-227-2610) has you covered for late-night nibbles and a killer view.
The best seats in the house are at the tippy-top on a deck, where you
can order appetizers and take in vistas of the ocean and Rehoboth Bay.

Find The O’s-Zone

Homesick for your Boys of Summer? Orioles fans can conjure Camden Yards “downy ocean” by:

Enjoying deep-fried pickles, cold Natty Bohs, and the red-hot O’s at
Pickles Pub (706 Philadelphia Ave., 410-289-4891), which packs ’em in
on game nights like its Ridgely’s Delight namesake.
Visiting “the farm” in Salisbury, where the O’s Class-A affiliate
Delmarva Shorebirds play at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (6400 Hobbs
Rd., 410-219-3112). There are post-game fireworks Saturday nights and
low-ball ticket prices on “$2 Buck Mondays,” a new promotion honoring
the O’s skipper. Visit
www.theshorebirds.com.
Hosting a game party at your beach pad. Order takeout at Boog’s
Bar-B-Q in West Ocean City (12842 Ocean Gateway, 410-213-7447) or
downtown (401 S. Atlantic Ave., 410-289-7771). Then, switch on MASN,
nosh the best pit beef and ribs this side of the Warehouse, and you’re
set.

Source