Rehoboth Beach is a small, walkable beach town on Delaware's Atlantic coast that bills itself as "The Nation's Summer Capital" — a reference to the waves of Washington DC families, politicians, and lobbyists who have been coming here since the late 19th century. The mile-long boardwalk is the heart of it: Thrasher's fries, Grotto Pizza, Dolle's saltwater taffy, and a bandstand with free concerts on summer evenings. Funland, a family-owned amusement park on the boards since 1962, remains one of the better value entertainment options on the East Coast.
Beyond the boardwalk, the town has a good restaurant scene that punches above its weight for a place this size. Rehoboth Avenue, the main drag, runs straight from the beach to a cluster of shops and restaurants. The town is notably welcoming and has a large LGBTQ community, particularly visible during the summer months.
Cape Henlopen State Park, at the north end of town, has wide beaches, a fishing pier, and dunes. The Junction and Breakwater Trail — a six-mile rail trail — connects Rehoboth to Lewes by bike. Delaware has no sales tax, which makes the Tanger Outlets on Route 1 a draw for shoppers from the neighbouring states. Dewey Beach, immediately to the south, operates as the party beach of the Delaware coast. Silver Lake provides a quiet freshwater alternative for wildlife watching.