Family Fun
Mini-Golf, Museums And Memories In The Making - The Delaware Beaches Offer Exciting Activites For All Ages
For some kids, a plastic bucket, shovel and plot of sand are all they need for a day's worth of entertainment. From swimming to building a sandcastle, shell searching to just plain goofing around, family fun on the beach is what makes a vacation to the Delaware Beaches so memorable.
This oceanfront area of southern Delaware truly has something for everybody. Laze on the sand, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy being together. Don't forget to bring the four-legged member of the family on vacation. Some areas of the beach are part of the very few in the nation that permit dogs on the beach year-round to enjoy a leisurely walk on a leash or a thrilling game of catch in the surf. Please be sure to check local regulations.
Beyond the beach, you'll also find numerous activities to keep the whole family amused, from the five-year-old balls of energy to those hard-to-please teenagers. With all the available options, coming up with something to do is the easy part. Deciding which order to do them in can be tricky, so take turns enjoying all of the activities together as one happy group, and everyone will get a turn!
Summertime welcomes a host of water activities, including parasailing, boating adventures, cruises and more. For the active family, there are hundreds of ways to enjoy the bays, inlets and ocean that encircle these beautiful coastal communities. Whether you want to cool off from a hot day in the sun, try to reel in some dinner or just enjoy a leisurely time surrounded by our beautiful blue waters, you're sure to find an activity the whole family will enjoy.
Perhaps you're up for trying a new sport. Kite boarding and wind surfing are two water sports that have grown in popularity and are a blast to begin learning together as a family. Who knows—this newfound sport could become a family tradition, and you'll enjoy getting better at it year after year.
Wave runners are simply a blast to ride—speed across the water and over waves as the water sprays up behind you. Rent one that can fit the whole family or split up to explore the area. Kids and adults alike will enjoy spotting dolphins in the surf!
Pontoons, jet boats, deck boats, cruisers, skiffs—the possibilities are endless. Just choose your craft and set out on your own voyage in the surrounding waters. Pontoons and deck boats are great for families. Enjoy an afternoon cruising, swimming, snacking and sunning. Or if you're craving some speed, rent a speedboat or cruiser. Some companies even offer free water skis, tubes and wakeboard rentals, so you can enjoy a full day of water sports.
Visit Delaware's water park, and spend a day floating in a wave pool and speeding down waterslides. Or set out on a pirate-themed adventure cruise, and sing sea chanteys as you search for the hidden booty. And don't forget—a wide variety of attractions are just a short drive away in Ocean City.
Get up close and personal with nature and wildlife at our numerous nature parks and wildlife refuges. Bird watching, hiking or just exploring the area is a great way to learn something while spending time together.
For those who like a challenge, maneuver through 18 holes of mini-golf, or spend the day picking up speed on the go-kart track. Then treat the whole family to everyone's favorite flavor at one of the local ice cream shops.
Explore some of the area's most popular art galleries for that one-of-a-kind experience that combines learning with cultural fun. Visit the numerous museums to learn a little and enjoy a lot.
Even kids will enjoy a history lesson at the exciting museums, historic homes and tours in historic Lewes—known as "the first town in the first state." Located a few miles north of Rehoboth Beach, Lewes is almost 400 years old and contains plenty of history.
The town's proud heritage has been carefully preserved by the Lewes Historical Society, making the town a great place for a leisurely walking tour. The historic district features charming shops, bed and breakfasts and other accommodations. After exploring, take the family out for seafood at one of the area's restaurants.
From toddlers to teenagers, parents to grandparents, people of all ages flock to the Delaware Beaches year after year to enjoy the wide variety of activities and attractions. With all these entertaining options, plus miles and miles of beautiful beaches to explore, this scenic coast tops the list of any family seeking the ultimate beach vacation.
Best Bets For Kids
Don't let your children say "I'm bored" this summer. Bring them to Kids Cottage and let them have a ball. Drop off your children ages 18 months to 12 years old at your convenience. Qualified staff is there to monitor and entertain your kids. The center offers a multipurpose room filled with indoor and outdoor playgrounds, dress-up clothes, arts and crafts and a media room filled with Playstation 2, Nintendo Wii, and Vsmile. In the evenings and on rainy days, they also have movie time. Kids Cottage also offers monthly and weekly Summer Camps for ages 2 to 7 years old. For more information call 1-888-556-KIDS or visit them online at www.kidscottage.com.
Family Fun Listings
Captain Jack's Pirate Golf
Downtown Bethany at the corner of
Central & PennsylvaniaBethany Beach, DE
302-539-1122
www.captainjackspirategolf.com
302-539-7999
www.CoastalKayak.com
Dewey Beach Parasail
Rusty Rudder, Dickinson St., Dewey Beach or
Indian River Marina
302-227-9507
877-FLY-DEWEY
www.flydewey.com
Fire Mountain Golf
18645 Coastal Highway
Midway Shopping Center, behind Candy Kitchen
302-644-2042(Go Karts)
302-645-8064(Waterpark)
Midwayspeedwaypark.com
Flashback Photos
120th St. on Coastal Hwy.
North 1st St. on the Boardwalk
Somerset Street on the Boardwalk
410-289-2598
www.oldtimephotos.com
The Freeman Stage at Bayside
Selbyville, DE
302-436-3015
www.freemanstage.org
Harpoon Hanna's
Rt. 54 on the Bay
142nd St. on the Bay
Fenwick Island, DE
302-539-3095
In Maryland, 1-800-227-0525
www.harpoonhannasrestaurant.com
Harrington Raceway & Casino
US Rt. 13
Harrington, DE 19952
1-888-887-5687
www.Harringtonraceway.com
Jolly Roger Amusements
30th Street and At the Pier Ocean City, Maryland 21842 410-289-3477
www.Jollyrogerpark.com
Jungle Jim's
36944 Country Club Road
Entrance to Rehoboth Beach, DE and Rt. 1
302-227-8444
www.Junglejimswaterpark.com
Jungle Treasure Mini Golf at Jolly Roger Amusement Park
30th Street and
At the Pier
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
410-289-3477
www.Junglejimswaterpark.com
Kids Cottage
35448 Wolfeneck Road
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302-644-7690
www.kidscottage.com
Midway Speedway
18645 Coastal Highway
Midway Shopping Center, behind Candy Kitchen
302-645-8064 (Waterpark)
302-644-2042 (Go karts)
www.midwayspeedwaypark.com
OC Paintball & Sports Center
Route 50, 1 mile west of Ocean City
410-213-2266
www.ocpaintball.us
OC Screamer Jet Boat Ride
50th Street & the Bay
410-723-4227
www.odysseawatersports.com
Odyssea Watersports
50th Street & the Bay
410-723-4227
www.odysseawatersports.com
Old Pro Golf
3 23rd St., 28th St., 68th St., 136th St.
410-524-2645
www.oldprogolf.com
Paradise Watersports
12913 Ocean Gateway
Ocean City, MD 21842
410-213-SOAR(7627)
www.Paradise-Watersports.com
Pirate Adventures
142nd St. & Bay
302-539-5155
www.PirateAdventuresOceanCity.com
Shark's Cove Watersports
Catch 54 Restaurant on Rt. 54 Fenwick Island, DE
302-436-8500
www.sharkscovemarina.com
Speed World at Jolly Roger Amusement Park
30th Street and
At the Pier
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
410-289-3477
www.Jollyrogerpark.com
Splash Mountain at Jolly Roger Amusement Park
30th Street and
At the Pier
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
410-289-3477
www.Jollyrogerpark.com
Thunder Lagoon Waterpark
Located on the corner of Coastal Hwy. & Rt. 54
Fenwick Island, DE (North Ocean City)
302-539-1644 (Go-Karts)
302-539-4027 (Waterpark)
www.vikingolfamusements.com
Viking Golf Amusements
Located on the corner of Coastal Hwy. & Rt. 54
Fenwick Island, DE (North Ocean City)
302-539-1644 (Go-Karts)
302-539-4027 (Waterpark)
www.vikingolfamusements.com
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
909 S. Schumaker Dr.
Salisbury, MD 21804
410-742-4988
www.wardmuseum.org
Shark's Cove Watersports
Catch 54 Restaurant on Rt. 54 Fenwick Island, DE
302-436-8500
www.sharkscovemarina.com
White Water Mountain
18645 Coastal HighwayMidway Shopping Center, behind Candy Kitchen
302-644-2042 (Go karts)
302-645-8064 (Waterpark)
www.Midwayspeedwaypark.com
World Gym
Town Road off Rt. 26
Bethany Beach, DE
302-539-8282
www.worldgym.com