Bethany Beach Guide: Top Things to Do at This Delaware Spot
The popular seaside resort Bethany Beach, known as a quiet, pristine destination, has white sand beaches, a boardwalk, vacation homes and great restaurants. Even better, Bethany Beach has free public beaches on the east side. While the area is best know for laid-back vibes, the beach also lends itself to outdoor recreation and attractions for all ages. For those who have never been, here’s a quick Bethany Beach guide to the top things to do.
Bethany Beach Guide to Top Activities and Attractions
Beaches and Boardwalks
Travelers rave about the cleanliness, safety and huge waves on Bethany Beach. A great place to spread out and relax on the sand, this area offers a quiet retreat. Many guests claim it’s the best in Delaware, and it’s never too crowded and has lifeguards on duty. Plenty of locally owned shops and restaurants provide food and shopping options as well.
Families love hanging out at Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Measuring less than a half-mile long, the boardwalk has shops, free live music and miles views. Locals and frequent visitors enjoy small crowds, and many praise its peaceful family-friendly environment.
Parks and Gardens
For a quiet retreat, visit the Loop Canal Centennial Park and Town Hall Garden. Find natural settings and maintained gardens at both spots, and don’t miss the town’s historical marker at Loop Canal.
The Bethany Beach Nature Center offers interactive exhibits, special weekend kids’ activities, and hiking options through the 26-acre conservation area. The nature center features 3 acres of forested uplands, 9 acres of freshwater wetlands and 14 acres of tidal wetlands. In addition, kids love participating in Adventure Saturday, where they hear stories, decorate trees and care for butterfly gardens.
Other parks in the area include Fenwick Island State Park, which provides a variety of surf and turf opportunities. Fenwick Island State Park boarders the Little Assawoman Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, allowing visitors views of two different coastlines. The beach is popular for swimming, surfing and surf fishing. Along the bay side of the park enjoy, clamming, crabbing, windsurfing, kayaking or sailing.
The 203-acre Holts Landing State Park offers landscapes from a bay shore beach to hardwood forests and grassy fields. Holt Landing State Park has the only pier on Delaware’s Island Bays built specifically for crabbing. Due to overhanging the shallow bay waters, it’s a top place to catch blue crabs. It’s also a popular place for anglers.
Get the Family Together
One of the top libraries in the area, the South Coastal Library attracts all ages and hosts several events for teens and kids. The library also offers way more than books. Find story times, music and dance classes, and tech workshops (Meet Your iPad). Teen Central provides quiet places for them to hang out, study and socialize in a safe environment. Children’s Corner gives younger guests access to activities, computers and a large collection of media.
Spend the day putt-putting at Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf. The miniature golf course features fun water hazards, a 50-foot pirate ship and a talking pirate. This is the only putt-putt course in the area, located only a block from the boardwalk. If looking for a full game, book tee times at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club and Bethany Bay Golf Club, both located nearby in Ocean View.
After reading this Bethany Beach guide, check out why it ranks as a best beach for families.