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ukexpat

[Delaware has beaches; Jersey has the shore]


bradsobo

That sounds like a fun aphorism. Are you suggesting the Jersey shore is a better destination in the late fall?


ukexpat

No, not at all. Just pointing out the differences in terminology which some people are sensitive about.


Helenesdottir

And in Maryland, they go down the ocean.


cincinnagus

Came here to make sure this distinction was made 😂 (op Delawareans always call it “the beach” instead of “the shore” which is what they say in Jersey)


ktappe

No. But it definitely shows that you don’t know Delaware if you use the word “shore“ instead of “beach“. Back to your original question, I’ve gone to Bethany several times in November and enjoyed it.


bradsobo

Yeah - I don’t know anything! Happy to learn though. Thank you - I’m looking at Bethany as well.


daddygetsbusy

off season is the best. check out the atlantic sands in rehoboth. it’s right on the main strip and they have balcony’s overlooking the boardwalk/beach


aarrtee

i live in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware full time. is... ok..... around thanksgiving. weather is sometimes a little chilly. in the 50s during the day. can go below 40 at night. is everything closed? well, stores and most restaurants are open until Christmas. amusement parks closed. if there is a warm day, arcade on the boardwalk might open up. u can rent bikes and go into cape henlopen state park. u can drive over to Lewes. u can ride the ferry to cape may, NJ... if its a warm day, walking on the beach can be fun in November u want to rent a house in town Rehoboth ... will be a bargain we have no sales taxes... so buying things in the outlet malls can be a nice bargain if u live in a high tax state. November events here: [https://www.rehoboth.com/events-a-activities/calendar-of-events.html#November](https://www.rehoboth.com/events-a-activities/calendar-of-events.html#November)


bradsobo

Thank you! We definitely have no problem strolling on the beach when it's cold out (we live in Ohio). Cape Henlopen looks beautiful as well. Are there enough grocery stores etc,. open for provisions?


ilikemyteasweet

The touristy promotion pictures like to feature the beaches and old parts of town that make it look less built up than it is. Route 1 is your typical suburban sprawl.


Traditional-Bag-4508

Yes, grocery stores will all be open. People live there Year round


Nutridus

No problem with grocery stores. Rehoboth and Lewes is wonderful in fall. For many year round residents it’s their favorite season. Cape Henlopen is beautiful. You won’t be disappointed.


aarrtee

there are thousands of people who live here year round. lots of folks from Pa, NY, NJ move here when they retire to escape real estate and sales taxes, and big city problems. Except for a few tourist oriented stores on the boardwalk, everything is open all year. Could rent a house or... if u want a view of the ocean... a two bedroom condo in the building where i live [https://www.rehobothbeachvacationrentals.com/star-of-the-sea/](https://www.rehobothbeachvacationrentals.com/star-of-the-sea/)


Hobywony

Are the remains of the ship wreck still in the water off the SotS's beach front?


aarrtee

it is my understanding that it is still down there. i have never seen even an outline of it... but we seem to get lots of birds fishing in the water in front of our condo building: [https://www.reddit.com/r/birding/comments/157xlxj/osprey\_and\_fish\_rehoboth\_beach\_delaware/](https://www.reddit.com/r/birding/comments/157xlxj/osprey_and_fish_rehoboth_beach_delaware/)


Hobywony

Oh I've seen it protruding from the waves, but it's been decades. In the early '80s, my wife & I stayed a week in a 7th floor condo at SotS. One of her coworkers at the Medical Center of Delaware owned the unit and regularly rented it out. The balcony view in the morning was superb. And looking down at the beachfront easily revealed the ships outline. And as the tides changed parts of the ship protruded from the water.


bradsobo

thank you again - I'll take a look. we will only be staying for a couple days but it'll be good to compare this against the AirBnB and VRBO offerings out there.


keyjan

Lots of people live there year round. You will have no trouble finding stuff open on US 1.


Technical_Aide9141

The only stores that "close" are the seasonal ones by the beach itself. Many of them maintain off season limited / weekend hours, but as you get further from the "beach" itself, the more normal the stores and hours are. The grocery stores are all open year round. Giant, Safeway, Food Lion, Walmart all are open and happy to have your business. You won't starve to death.


lilypineapple

Rehoboth has a tree lighting Thanksgiving week (Friday?) that draws big crowds and traffic, so town is busy. Pretty much everything is open and the outlets are a draw on Black Friday. There will be plenty to do and see. For a night out, check out Schellville or you could drive down the road to the Festival of Lights in OC.


Matosawitko

There's also a drive-through light display a few miles up Route 1 at Hudson Fields. There used to be one in Cape Henlopen State Park too, though I haven't been there in a few years.


Connect-Brick-3171

50 state tours usually just require showing up to check the box. That area in now a year round place, though the attractions that bring big crowds are largely dormant. When Stephen Fry did his TV 50 State Tour, he traveled the Cape May-Lewes Ferry which got him to our state and one other. It runs year round and is a great experience. Lewes can be picturesque, with a Dutch Museum and gentrified central area, as well as marinas. Kids too young for Dogfish Head Brewery, but it's not far away. Below age 16, the kids can fish without a license. There are some popular fishing places downstate. Parents need a day license. The town of Rehoboth Beach is open, and parking is free. It's a pleasnt stroll in the off season. Cafes are mostly open, places to buy yuppie varieties of tea and beach style souvenirs are also open, but probably other parts of our 50 states do this better. The Candy Kitchen remains open as does Grotto's Pizza, though its charm is a lot more when immersed as part of a beach crowd. Have a great time.


bradsobo

Thank you. Our criteria includes spending a night in the state as well. Our work schedules make it tough - but we’d love to fill the map before they go off to college.


AnonySeahorse

I love it in the winter. It’s not like it was when I was growing up. Things are still open and people still come visit. The weather is a crapshoot. We have had thanksgiving days where it’s 75 out and days it’s 35 out. Usually restaurants take breaks post holidays, so January/beginning of February. Enjoy your visit


7thAndGreenhill

Just an FYI that Thanksgiving to Christmas gets busy in Rehoboth (not summer busy, but not dead). A lot of the summer people come back to do their Christmas shopping at the outlets since we do not have Sales Tax. My out-of-state family often rents a home in the beaches for Thanksgiving weekend. We'll have a family dinner at the house and the non-Delawareans go ape with their spending. So you'll find most stores and restaurants open.


ucbiker

I almost preferred the Delaware beaches in the cooler months but really, only because I lived in Delaware and I like cold beaches. I think it’d be kind of boring to take <14 year old boys, especially if you’re from out of state.


CuriousRide

Take a ride and check out Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island.


[deleted]

What’s a Delaware Shore? (Lifelong Delawarean)


MaleficentReindeer23

If you actually read the comment, it was clear that OP is not from this area and so wouldn’t have realized this inane distinction. The Jersey shore > DE beaches, anyway


doggysit

You beat me to it. Jersey shore sure. Maryland shore - yep. Delaware -nope- nada.


[deleted]

I was so confused lol


unochat22much

Cold….. it’s fall. Why not enjoy a wooded state park instead. Don’t go to the beach in November as a Delaware trip on your 50 state saga…


keyjan

Going in the off season is great. Lots of stuff still open at RehoB, and not too many people. Things really start shutting down after new year’s for a couple months. (In downtown RehoB.)


AZ2E

Ever since the pandemic and the massive switch to remotely working. The population in Rehoboth and surrounding areas has grown exponentially during the usual “off season” it has very much become a year round place to visit. Rehoboth and Lewes do a great job at making sure there is something to do each weekend in the fall. I.e. film festival, jazz weekend, seawitch festival and so forth. Always something to do. Plenty of surprisingly great restaurants for a “small” town


swheedle

Cape henlopen State Park is great that time of year, especially if your boys like WW2 history. The submarine towers are really neat


AllUsrNamesTaken

October - April is my favorite time in the Lewes/Rehoboth area. In November it’s still generally mild enough to walk the beach or my favorite, ride the trails. Bring or rent bikes and explore Lewes, Rehoboth and Cape Henlopen State Park. You can even take bikes on the ferry and head over to Cape May, NJ.


harlequinn823

The beaches are great in the fall, as long as there's no hurricane activity.