Rehoboth Beach Weekend Itinerary For Your Delaware Beach Vacation
A weekend in Rehoboth Beach is a great quick getaway, offering a blend of relaxation, recreation, and gorgeous beaches. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun or a special getaway, anyone looking for a fun beach destination will love this seaside retreat in Delaware!
Spending a weekend in Rehoboth Beach and wondering what to do?
I spent a weekend in Rehoboth Beach as part of a road trip through Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, this closely follows my Rehoboth Beach weekend itinerary from that trip.
Rehoboth Beach Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Rehoboth Beach Weekend Itinerary
Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park is a really beautiful coastal park, located just a few miles north of Rehoboth Beach.
It’s known for beaches, sand dunes, and salt marshes, all perfect for hiking, biking, kayaking, sunbathing, or wildlife-watching. The park is also known for its historic landmarks, including Fort Miles, a World War II military installation, and the much-loved Cape Henlopen Lighthouse.
This is a really beautiful stop on your way into town. There’s a small per-vehicle entry fee and hours vary by season, check out Cape Henlopen State Park.
Optional: Shop At The Tanger Outlets
Those up for some shopping, hit the Tanger Outlets next. Delaware’s sales tax-free status makes this an always-popular stop.
The Tanger Outlets feature a wide variety of brand-name and designer outlet stores. Shop to your heart’s content knowing your stylish digs are discounted and tax-free.
The outlets are located about 3 miles from the town’s core and have ample free parking.
Rehoboth Beach Avenue
Next up, we’ll head to the town’s main drag, which centers around Rehoboth Avenue.
Rehoboth Avenue is the perfect spot to go for a walk and get acquainted with the town, it’s lined with boutique shops, local restaurants, and plenty of watering holes with loud music and lots of entertainment both day and night.
The core runs for about a mile, starting near the canal and ending at the beach, with the highest concentration of shops and restaurants near the beach and boardwalk.
Assuming it’s getting late in the day, this is a good spot to grab dinner or check out the nightlife.
Grab A Beer From Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
While in this area, stop by the beloved Dogfish Head Brewery. Alongside a wide variety of craft beers, the restaurant serves up delicious food and fun cocktails.
The brewpub’s laid-back atmosphere, live music events, and excellent brews have made it a popular destination among locals and visitors since its opening in 1995.
Day 2: Rehoboth Beach Weekend Itinerary
Bike Ride
Early risers, start off day two of your weekend in Rehoboth Beach with a bike ride.
There’s lots of bike route options, but the most popular is definitely the bike trail to Gordon’s Pond, which is just over 2 miles from Rehoboth Beach, it’s perfect for an easy bike ride.
From town, bike 1.5 miles to Gordons Pond parking area, from there follow a gravel trail (used by both hikers and bikers) along the pond’s edge for about 3/4 miles. You’ll eventually arrive at the beautiful Gordons Pond Scenic Overlook.
Those up for a longer bike ride can then follow the trail into Lewes, and along the Junction &
Breakwater Trail, for a 16 mile loop back into Rehoboth Beach.
The mile-long boardwalk, lining Rehoboth Beach, is also great for biking, however during summer, bikes are only permitted from 5 am – 10 am. In the off-season, visitors can bike any time.
There are a couple bike and e-bike rental shops on Rehoboth Avenue and along the boardwalk of Rehoboth Beach.
Beach Day
A majority of the day should definitely be spent at the beach.
The town’s main beach, aptly named Rehoboth Beach, is centrally located in town, at the edge of Rehoboth Avenue.
This is a stunning, white sand beach where visitors can enjoy the warm sunshine and salty ocean breeze. It’s swimmable, spacious, and free to the public.
However, it’s likely you’ll need to pay for parking. To avoid this fee, walk, bike, or catch a ride to the beach.
Tip: If visiting on the weekend, be sure to arrive early to ensure parking and good spot on the beach.
Rehoboth Boardwalk
Lining the beach is a charming, mile-long boardwalk. Along the boardwalk you’ll find a variety of local boutique shops, quick dining options, and games, plus lots of candy and ice cream.
The stretch is perfect for family entertainment, a quick bite, or stroll while enjoying the beach.
Popular stops are Funland for an amusement park and classic arcade games, or find toys and games from Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company. For treats check out Starkey’s Ice Cream & Funnel Cakes, Dolle’s Candyland, or Candy Kitchen. French fries from Thrasher’s French Fries or pizza from Louie’s Pizza are also perfect for a quick bite.
Sunset Kayak
Consider a sunset kayak to wrap up your weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth Bay are some of the best spots for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. Just remember paddlers are required to have a PFD (personal flotation device) and a whistle on them while on the water. If needed, there are numerous spots in town with rentals.
Those looking to go out with a guide, check out Delmarva Board Sports for tours, they’re beginner level and no prior experience is required. You’ll set out on the water with a local guide, surrounded by scenic views, marine life, and migrating birds. For pricing and availability check out Sunset Kayak Excursion.
Following the kayaking excursion, consider a fun night out on Rehoboth Avenue, there are tons of spots with nightlife and dining.
Looking for more things to do? Check out Top Things To Do In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Getting To Rehoboth Beach
By car: Rehoboth Beach, in Southeast Delaware, is conveniently located near a few major highways. Ocean City, MD is 45 minutes south (25 miles away) and Wilmington, DE is 1.5 hours (90 miles) away. Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington DC are all about 2.5 hours from Rehoboth (roughly 125 miles). For detailed driving directions, check out How To Get To Rehoboth Beach.
By plane: There are numerous small, regional airports in the area, with Salisbury Airport (SBY) being the nearest at 35 miles away. The nearest major airports are Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, each about 2.5 hours (roughly 125 miles) from Rehoboth Beach. From these airports, plan to rent a car or take a shuttle service to reach Rehoboth Beach.
By train & bus. The nearest Amtrak station is in Wilmington, DE. From there, the DART bus system will take you to Rehoboth Beach. The buses run frequently and the prices are very low.
By ferry: If arriving to Rehoboth Beach via New Jersey, the best option is to utilize the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The route runs from Cape May, NJ to Lewes, DE, just 20 minutes from Rehoboth Beach, and allows vehicles, bikes, and foot traffic. The 85 minute ferry runs year-round with the most route options during summer.
Parking & Getting Around
Traffic can be heavy in Rehoboth Beach during peak season, but the town is pretty easy to navigate.
Most businesses, restaurants, and hotels center along Rehoboth Avenue near the beach. In this area, it’s easiest to get around by foot, since the roadway can get quite busy.
Consequently, parking in this downtown area can be a challenge. There is metered street parking available, although it’s limited and has time constraints. You may be able to snag a spot if arriving very early; bring quarters or download the parking meter app, ParkMobile, for payment.
Non-meter parking is permit only and daily passes are available, for permit information check out City of Rehoboth Beach Parking Information. Last, there are a few private lots around town selling spots for a flat fee.
Where To Stay In Rehoboth Beach
There are a number of local hotels along Rehoboth Avenue near the beach. This is the best place to stay, it’s within quick walking distance of restaurants, nightlife, and most importantly, the beach!
During our weekend in Rehoboth Beach we stayed at Avenue Inn & Spa, which was in an excellent location. It was so convenient to walk everywhere and not worry about parking. Additionally, the rooms were spacious, included free parking, free breakfast, and complimentary happy hour every evening.
Additional hotels near the beach include:
- The Bellmoor Inn & Spa
- The Breakers Hotel & Suites
- Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center
- Hotel Rehoboth
Alternatively, a few miles from the beach, near the Tanger Outlets, are a handful of chain hotels, which are typically less expensive than those downtown.
For hotels outside of the beach area, near the outlets, check out:
What To Pack For Rehoboth Beach
Below is what I would pack for 2 days in Rehoboth Beach during summer:
- 1 pair of shorts
- 2 – 3 t-shirts or tank tops
- 1 casual summer dress
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of jeans or leggings
- 1 lightweight long sleeve (such as cardigan or flannel, for the evenings)
- 1 pair of tennis shoes
- 2 swimsuits
- Water shorts (great for water activities such as kayaking)
- Beach-friendly sandals or water shoes
- Sun protection such as hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
- Microfiber beach towel
- Beach bag
- Any lounge chairs, umbrellas, or games you’d like at the beach.
While there’s plenty of upscale dining and nightlife in Rehoboth Beach, the dress leans towards the casual side.
Rehoboth Beach Weather
Summer averages hover around 80°F, with days in July and August reaching 90°F.
It can be quite hot even along the beaches thanks to high humidity levels. Brief, but intense, afternoon storms are common during summer months.
Fall and spring are pleasant with highs from the mid-50°F’s to upper 60°F’s. Rain is common during spring, hurricanes and tropical storms are possible in fall.
During winter, snow is possible and averages highs are in the mid-40°F’s with lows dipping just below freezing.
Below are average temperatures throughout the year:
- January – 44° / 32° (High / Low, F°)
- February – 46° / 33°
- March – 52° / 39°
- April – 63° / 48°
- May 74° / 54°
- June 82° / 64°
- July 86° / 69°
- August 85° / 68°
- September 76° / 66°
- October – 68° / 56°
- November – 57° / 46°
- December – 50° / 38°
When To Visit Rehoboth Beach
If you wish to enjoy all that Rehoboth has to offer (ahem – the beach), you’ll want to visit late May through early September.
Fall and late spring bring pleasant weather, although it’ll be too cold for swimming or lounging at the beach.
Winter is great for peace and solitude.
We visited at the end of April and lucked out with excellent weather. We explored the town, plus the surrounding parks and beaches, and spent a whole day relaxing at the beach and walking the boardwalk. For the beach day, we were in light jackets and pants, but there were plenty around us in swimsuits, it seemed everyone agreed it was too cold for swimming though.
Is Rehoboth Beach Worth Visiting?
Yes, Rehoboth Beach is an excellent beach getaway that’s just far enough from the nearby, heavily populated cities to feel relaxed, yet not too far. Here you can refresh on the beach and enjoy the city’s excellent dining, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment options.
I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your Rehoboth Beach weekend itinerary, enjoy your trip and have the best time!
Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.
Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional East Coast guides below or head on over to Visit Delaware!
More Information For Your Rehoboth Beach Vacation:
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