***Please note that this Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide will be updated and recirculated every few months to reflect the town’s most up-to-date information. This guide was most recently updated as of July 2025.***

Ever since my college years, I have been a frequent Bethany Beach, Delaware visitor as I have family that resides in this gorgeous beach town. Alongside seeing my family and spending time with them, I have gotten to adore this coastal spot and have truly fallen in love with it over the years. While there, I have become pretty acquainted with the town and have gotten to know it and its local Delaware charm in hopes that you fall in love with it, too!

Delaware is a unique East Coast state that definitely goes overlooked! Known for no sales tax (!!!!) and being a great place to shop and dine and pretty much be a consumer, Delaware is a GREAT place to visit overall. Bethany Beach, Delaware is one of the many stunning spots that the state of Liberty and Independence has to offer. In the past, I’ve written a post about my few days’ spent at the Delaware Beaches (here), however, I wanted to compile together a more thorough guide of the beach town that I have grown to love.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Bethany Beach, Delaware Travel Guide

**Note: This Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide will not list any specific places to stay, as I have limited knowledge on that subject, given that I usually stay with family when in town. However, websites such as Booking.com have hotels and rentals to stay at during your Bethany Beach stay.**

It is worth noting that Bethany Beach offers a variety of opportunities to do things both within the town and the nearby inland areas Dagsboro, Millville, and Ocean View as well as beyond the Bethany Beach vicinity in the fellow Delaware Beaches of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Lewes and nearby Maryland beach town of Ocean City and nearby Bishopville. Many of the activities, restaurants, and shopping opportunities are listed in these towns beyond Bethany Beach and will add a lot of value to your trip.

About Bethany Beach:

Bethany Beach is a coastal town in Delaware as one of the Delaware Beaches, alongside Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Lewes. Compared to the other Delaware Beaches towns, Bethany Beach is known for being quieter. One of the unique aspects of Bethany Beach is that it primarily has small businesses ranging from restaurants to shops due to the town’s local regulations. There is an exception, however, for a McDonald’s, Dunkin’, and a few grocery stores, gas stations, and banks. There are several opportunities to enjoy coastal Delaware history, culture, and delicious eats while on a beach vacation in Bethany Beach!

Getting There:

The unique thing about Bethany Beach is that it’s easily accessible by car from New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Bethany Beach is not airport accessible, as the nearest airport is Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), which is a 2.5-hour long drive away. That all being said, it is advised to drive to Bethany Beach and have a car with you throughout the entire duration of your trip, as most activities and restaurants require you to have a car (there are several rental car options). See more on getting there here.

Things To Do:

Enjoy a day (or a few!) at the beach – There are several beaches across the Bethany Beach, Delaware area (here). It is worth noting that most beaches charge a $5-$10 fee/car upon entrance and once the parking lots are full will no longer accept anymore cars in. It is highly recommended that you arrive to the beach early in the morning e.g. around 8am-9am to get a good spot and to beat the crowds. To incentivize others to get up a bit earlier, grab some coffee and breakfast at a local breakfast spot or Dunkin’ on the way there!

Bethany Beach boardwalk (live music + movies) – The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is a lovely spot to stroll during both the Summer months and during the off-season to support the local businesses whether it be dining or shopping or some candy shopping (more on that to come!!). Throughout the Summer season, the Bethany Beach boardwalk has live music and movies that take place for the general public to enjoy beside the ocean! And, in the off-season, most notably, my Papa and I once ran into the New Years’ Day run on the boardwalk. See the full list of Bethany Beach Boardwalk events here.

Parasailing – One of my FAVORITE activities that we did one Summer was parasailing. Alongside other water sports and pontoon boating on the Chesapeake Bay, parasailing has been a mega bucket list item of mine over the years and it did not disappoint! My friend Amanda and I with a special thanks to my Dad for booking for us enjoyed a nice (and a bit terrifying experience!) parasailing which was truly one for the books! We went parasailing at nearby Dewey Beach via Dewey Beach Parasail.

Mini golf – Nearby Bethany Beach, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the perfect evening doing a favorite Summer activity of mine … mini golfing! Mini golf is a lovely Summer activity that parties of all ages and stages of life can enjoy together. Truly, a lovely activity to do together while on vacation! Nevertheless, there are a few options for mini golfing in Bethany Beach, including: Nick’s Mini Golf, The Millville Boardwalk (home to Lighthouse Beach Golf, Go Karts, and arcade, and an onsite ice cream parlor), and Pirate Golf.

Stroll + Shop at the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk – The Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is like 20+ times the size of Bethany Beach’s boardwalk. It is massive and offers a variety of shops, both well-known coastal brands such as The Black Dog, Sea Bags, and White House Black Market, as well as locally known shops such as Candy Kitchen and several other small businesses. Be sure to check out the ultra-charming Penny Lane, which is about 1/3 of the charming little alleyways for shopping on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and grab a bite to eat at one of the several dining options, too. After lunch/dinner, don’t forget to check out Uncle David’s ice cream shop – a local ice cream parlor serving delicious ice cream for a greater purpose. Check out all that the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk has to offer here!

Climb the Observation Towers at Tower Beach – During World War 11 between 1939-1942, 11 observation towers were built alongside the Delaware coastline to protect the shores. Initially, these observation towers were to last for 20 years, however, they have been standing ever since their construction. In 2023 (see here), these observation towers have opened to the public to visit and climb to the top of and enjoy the shorelines from up above while paying tribute to those who have served and protected our nation. There are a few observation towers at Bethany Beach’s nearby Tower Beach there are free to visit and climb. See more information on the observation towers’ story here.

Visit the nearby Lewes Historic District – Known as “the first town in the first state,” Lewes, Delaware provides small town charm, rich maritime and cultural history, delicious local eats, and wonderful local shops. Like the Bethany Beach’s social boardwalk, the majority of shops and restaurants in the Lewes Historic District are small businesses. There is also a few opportunities to check out the adjacent marina, admire some local flora via the gardening club at Mary Vessels Park, and learn some local Lewes history via the Lewes Historical Society. Check out all that Lewes has to offer here!

Dining – Bethany Beach:

Heidaway (97B Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Heidaway is a lovely Summer season-only restaurant on the Bethany Beach boardwalk known for their vibrant healthy plates and colorful cocktails.

Bonkey’s (Multiple locations – Bethany Beach & Millville) – A family-owned and operated ice cream parlor that originated in Baltimore, Maryland in 1953, Bonkey’s has since been serving up creative flavors and snoballs all the way to the beach!

Shaka Shack (35308 Atlantic Ave, Millville) – An incredibly good casual eatery serving up all-things from sandwiches to burgers to seafood and everything in between, Shaka Shack is a delicious spot to go for some to go eats or to stay for happy hour which I’ve heard is amazing!

Grotto Pizza (Multiple locations – all across the Delaware beaches) – A Delaware beaches pizza classic is Grotto Pizza: the distinct pizza chain to the beach towns with many locations offering dine-in options.

Off The Hook (769 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Known for its fresh, honest, and local ingredients, Off The Hook is a farm-to-table upscale restaurant nearby the boardwalk.

Good Earth Market & Restaurant (31806 Good Earth Lane, Ocean View) – Situated with gorgeous outdoor seating in a stunning onsite garden (indoor seating is offered, too!) and health-conscious market, Good Earth Market & Restaurant serves up all-things healthy specialty eats and cocktails.

Baja Beach House Grill (109 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – A delicious Mexican eats and burger joint with great happy hour drinks, Baja Beach House Grill is conveniently located in the heart of the boardwalk.

Bethany Blues BBQ Pit (Multiple locations – Bethany Beach, Lewes, & Rehoboth Beach) – Serving up Delaware barbecue delights, Bethany Blues BBQ Pit whips up delicious barbecue and specialty cocktails.

Ocean View Brewing Company (85 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View) – Serving delicious local eats whether it be seafood or burgers and in-house made specialty beers, Ocean View Brewing Company is a unique and delicious brewpub to enjoy a meal (or just a beer!) at just a short drive from the boardwalk. Don’t forget to snap a photo of their unique mural outside!

Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen (30234 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View) – Voted the Best New Restaurant by Coastal Style Magazine in 2019, Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen serves memorable eats and specialty cocktails for all to enjoy.

Drifting Grounds Coffee House (117 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View) – A local cafe and retro toy + book shop brewing up coffee, donuts, and baked goods, Drifting Grounds Coffee House not only will leave you coming back for more, but it is also a popular spot for visitors and locals to catch up on some work and hang out.

Harvest Tide (98 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Serving up surf and turf delights, Harvest Tide has a carefully curated menu and ultra-kind staff for everyone to leave feeling impressed and wanting to come back for more. Although I have yet to try, I have heard that their newly-released brunch menu is delicious, too!

Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts (99 Garfield Parkway #7703, Bethany Beach) – A local cafe and ice cream shop, Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts is perfect for a quick pick-me-up while perusing the boardwalk!

Dining – Beyond Bethany Beach:

 

The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound (12723 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Maryland) – An upscale restaurant serving delicious seafood eats on a gorgeous golf course, The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound offers panoramic views of Assawoman Bay and Ocean City, Maryland in a relaxing atmosphere.

Dockside Marina Bar + Grill (39413 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Situated alongside a beautiful marina and offering the literal best Summer time vibes, Dockside Marina Bar + Grill is a casual spot serving delicious local eats and happy hour drinks.

Rose & Crown (142 2nd Street, Lewes, Delaware) – Located inside the Hotel Rodney in the heart of downtown historic Lewes, Delaware, Rose & Crown is a casual bar offering British pub fare and beers.

The Bayside Skillet (7701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland) – An award-winning break spot open year-round in Ocean City, The Bayside Skillet is literally bayside offering gorgeous waterfront views and to die for good breakfast eats!

Libation Room (228 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – A speakeasy within Rehoboth Beach’s Summer House on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, Libation Room has incredible gourmet, innovative eats and cocktails and everything in between!

Shorebreak Lodge (10 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Casual yet sophisticated, Shorebreak Lodge is a New American restaurant that offers gourmet eats and drinks in a lowkey environment.

Thompson Island Brewing Company (30133 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – A sister restaurant to Ocean View Brewing Company, Thompson Island Brewing Company is a local brewpub located just near the Tanger Outlets that brews beers in-house and serves up delicious eats and desserts.

Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar (29 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Just a block away from the ocean, Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar is a casual spot offering a vast menu of specialty pizzas, appetizers, and drinks.

The Lighthouse (124 Dickinson Avenue, Dewey Beach, Delaware) – A Dewey Beach tradition for 40+ years, The Lighthouse is a casual spot offering great happy hours and seafood eats as well as live music alongside the Bay.

Longboard Cafe (6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland) – Serving up classic American dishes with a creative flair, Longboard Cafe transports diners to a surfboard shack as they enjoy their delicious eats.

The Grove (12404 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Maryland) – A unique dining experience offered in a charming and funky cottage setting, The Grove serves up exquisite multiple-course eats. Note that reservations are required in advance for this lovely unique dining experience!

Crooked Hammock Brewery (36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, Delaware) – Known for their food and brews and a good time, Crooked Hammock Brewery offers delicious casual fare and drinks as well as fun activities such as corn hole for all to enjoy.

Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Avenue, Dewey Beach, Delaware) – Giving all of the surf n’ turf vibes, Rusty Rudder is a long-standing bayfront restaurant in the heart of Dewey Beach’s social and dining scene featuring live music and great vibes. I highly recommend going during sunset to catch the gorgeous bayside sunset – it is NOT something you want to miss!

The Pines Coastal Tavern (56 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – An upscale American bistro that serves up innovative cocktails and dishes, The Pines Coastal Tavern is an adorable restaurant on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk that also has special events, concerts, and even drag shows.

Uncle David’s Ice Cream (237 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Serving up scoops of ice cream with a greater purpose, Uncle David’s Ice Cream is scooped and served by individuals with Down syndrome in honor of the late David Samson – a man with Down syndrome who strived to overcome a lot of obstacles in life who had a love for Rehoboth Beach. Today, Uncle David’s Ice Cream supports and empowers individuals with Down syndrome educationally, occupationally, and recreationally.

Nectar Cafe & Juice Bar (111 Neils Alley, Lewes, Delaware) – With a gorgeous grand millennial-inspired, rustic-chic interior, Nectar Cafe & Juice Bar makes you feel right at home, offering homemade juices and homey style breakfast and lunch.

Shopping:

Candy Kitchen (Multiple locations – across Delaware & Maryland) – An old-fashioned candy shop serving up classic candies since 1937, Candy Kitchen is a must-stop when in Bethany Beach. Don’t forget to grab some fudge or taffy for the road home!!

Fish Tales (116 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, Delaware) – An adorable boutique selling local souvenirs, preppy clothing and accessories including Lilly Pulitzer and Spartina 449 and Scout Bags, tees, and sportswear, Fish Tales truly has it ALL!

Jayne’s Reliable (33034 Main Street, Dagsboro, Delaware) – A grand millennial’s dream, Jayne’s Reliable is an antique shop offering a curated variety of home decor and garden items. If you love thrifting and antiquing, then this gorgeous shop is worth a stop!

Bethany Beach Books (99 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, Delaware) – Just steps away from the ocean, Bethany Beach Books is an independently owned bookstore offering several author events and book signings and is just such an adorable spot!

Su Casa (Multiple locations- Maryland and Delaware) – A Maryland and Delaware-based furniture store, Su Casa carries local artwork and curated home goods to beautifully decorate your home.

Pink Leopard (235 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach) – Run by a mother-daughter duo, Pink Leopard is a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store right on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk! Pink Leopard is housed in a bright and pink and all-things Lilly Pulitzer-inspired cottage, perfect for a vacation treat yourself moment!! Although we missed the boutique’s open hours upon visiting, we enjoyed snapping some photos outside as it’s adorable and will be back again soon!

Tanger Outlets (Multiple locations – Rehoboth Beach) – You cannot leave Delaware without shopping as there’s no sales tax (!!!!). The Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach offer a variety of shops, from Kate Spade to Talbots to Bath and Body Works to J Crew Factory to Simply Southern and everything in between. If you’re looking to do some shopping at a discount especially Back to School, then definitely consider doing so while in Delaware!

Wrap-Up:

Bethany Beach, Delaware has truly become one of my favorite Summer spots! Every Summer, I LOVE driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and immediately feel right at home crossing the Delaware-Maryland state line and am always giddy when I arrive to see my family. Alongside seeing family, I love getting to enjoy the local coastal Delaware charm and enjoy some sunshine and good beach vibes. In writing this Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide, I hope that I have showed you the beauty and charm in this small coastal town and all that it has to offer.

XOXO – Katie <3