On the Boardwalk

One of the best things about DC is its close proximity to... everything! Even if, like us, you didn't (or won't) get to take that big summer vacation, you can still get to a great beach for some sun and sand in just a few hours. To help you know how to make the most of a 2/3 day getaway, we took an expeditious expedition to research some of our local beaches in DE/MD and brought back the goods (and not so goods) on how you can take advantage!

The quick and dirty on your four options:

Rehoboth Beach, DE
This beach gets a lot of slack from DC locals about the types of people who frequent, but what we noticed were families in full force! Hotels seem to be touristy, so most regulars rent, which also means they're staying a week or more. If you're short-term, it will be hard to find parking. The Rehoboth Commerce Department pushes an $8.00 parking permit for the side streets, but after lugging all of your gear from your car through the city, you'll see that it's easier to just feed the meter every 2/3 hours (yes, I said it!). Take cash as most beach shops here don't accept credit cards... but you'll spend it all at Dolle's Salt Water Taffy - that place is so good! If you want a real meal, we suggest the Blue Moon.

Dewey Beach, DE
If you are over 30, or out of your binge drinking days, you might skip Dewey. This place is less about the beach and more for the bar scene. But if you do decide to brave the 20-somethings, or you are one...the town is full of favorites, especially for live music, including the Starboard (great for Bloody Mary's), Rusty Rudder (see Burnt Sienna!), and Bottle & Cork. The hotel options are slim, but we got lucky at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel (which has fridges, microwaves, etc. if you're on a budget bender).

Ocean City, MD
The most commercialized of the local beaches, the crowds are vastly different here... maybe that's what happens when you cross into Maryland?? But we must say the beaches were beautifully maintained, and since Ocean City is a barrier island, we enjoyed the best of both worlds - beach on one side, bay on the other. Other than the touristy traps (that can be fun if you haven't experienced them!) like Ripley's Believe It or Not and shopping at the Outlets or on the famous Boardwalk, the main attraction here is Seacrets . Also worth checking out... nine miles away are Assateague's Wild Ponies.

Bethany Beach, DE
Our favorite of the beach towns, Bethany used to to be known for quiet resorts. This isn't quite so true anymore due to increased development. Now everyone rents private beach homes for week stays... though there are other slim options. If you want some serious luxury, check out the Addy Sea B & B - we loved this Victorian style bed and breakfast with all the amenities you could ask for and a private path to the sea!! The best thing about Bethany is that there is ROOM to enjoy the beautiful beach, but don't miss some great spots in town as well. Everyone told us to visit Frog House Family Restaurant - and breakfast there was pretty good - but we also happened upon Patsy's, a Key West style restaurant that we highly recommend!

Now you know... and you're ready to go! Some general things you should also keep in mind:
The local area beaches are equally as famous for dolphin sightings (yay!) as jellyfish (boo!). Stake claim to your spot first thing in the morning - these beaches get crowded early and everyone leaves their chairs/towels while tooling around the city during the day. And while we love our own recommendations, always remember to try new things!