Rehoboth Beach. The annual pilgrimage begins on Memorial Weekend and ends just after Labor Day. Here are some of reasons why we come back year after year. Pizza is Life: Grotto Pizza is an institution. The pizza chain opened in Delaware 60 years ago and has so many loyal followers that I’ve actually known people who drive down there just to get a pie. Then there’s Nicola Pizza, another longtime Rehoboth restaurant opened in 1971, though they’re widely beloved for the Nic-o-boli’s. The Grotto slice has cured many people during the late night munchies. If you love fresh seafood try Fins. The shrimp and grits are divine and they have a fabulous collection of local craft beer on tap.

Dessert Town: There are lots of familiar and established dessert shops in Rehoboth, like the old school Cafe Papillon Crepes in Penny Lane with delicious crepes and croissants. The Fractured Prune has custom designed donuts with dozens of sweet options; they taste more like cake than a donut. 

Kohr Bros. is the ranking ice cream king on Rehoboth Boardwalk with three locations and lines for miles. Everyone loves their Frozen Custard cones.

Candy Store Mania: We all have our favorites. Some visitors are partial to the grandfather of candy stores, Candy Kitchen. But the smaller, family owned businesses sometimes offer better prices and always personalized service. Snyder’s Candy collects oddball candy that you can only get in other countries along with their usual multicolored string licorice. They’ve been open for 81 years of “sweetness.”

Many visitors say Dolles Candyland has the best taffy. The adorable Edie Bee’s in Lewes is by far the most irresistible candy store in DelMarVA with marvelous displays of candy in what looks like an art gallery. Kilwins doesn’t sell hard candy, but they excel in the world of hand-dipped chocolates, candy apples and fudge.

Battle of the Popcorn Vendors: Many of us are addicted to Dolles’ sweet, crisp caramel corn. Many people say Fishers Popcorn is the freshest and you can buy in the new XL size! DelMarVa Popcorn sells theirs in multiple flavors and colors. Real Raw Organics adds salted popcorn as a side dish to their many vegetarian sandwiches.

Amusements: How long have the rides been there? Some for more than 50 years! A combination of old school rides for young kids and seriously crazy scary ones that go upside down and spin simultaneously like the new Super Flip 360.  I took my kids on the rides at Funland in Rehoboth every time we visited. They also loved Jungle Jim’s, a water park where you can take the heat off with their slides and lazy river. There are lots of interesting stories behind the operation of beach amusement parks. Maybe you have one? By the way, these parks are currently requiring reservations.

Besides beaches, what else is there to do near Rehoboth? Check out the beautiful gardens at the Lavender Fields in nearby Milton, Delaware. There’s also the Brewery and Winery Tours Delaware a sampling tour that runs on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Who will you see in Rehoboth? When my husband went to Starbucks on Rehoboth Avenue one morning, and he ran into the President. The Biden’s have a house in downtown Rehoboth.

Biden is just one of many luminaries who visit Rehoboth Beach. You may see Hoda Kotb, Denzel Washington and Kathie Lee Gifford who have homes in Delaware Beach towns. Dave Grohl heads to the beach with his kids. Bill Nye and G Love are often spotted around town. There are plenty of high powered, yet not necessarily recognizable folks hanging out at the beaches too. This summer, leave early stay late, to avoid the masses of crowds that come to enjoy this All American beach town!

beaches Dog Friendly Travel family travel Food for Thought Kid Friendly MidAtlantic Travel Restaurant Reviews Travel