Rehoboth Beach is a summer playland—but it’s even better in the fall, when the crowds wane and the weather is still lovely (and on occasion, even beachy). The parking meters have been turned off and won’t be turned back on until May. The sidewalks are manageable. Plus, most businesses remain open, says Christine Hastings, vice president of the Jolly Trolley, which runs a seasonal shuttle between Rehoboth Beach and neighboring Dewey Beach, as well as year-round tours and charters. The vibe remains summery, but leans into autumn pumpkins and pastimes. There’s nothing like autumn at the beach.
The Jolley Trolley
The Jolly Trolley is a great way to get around Rehoboth Beach and get to know the area. Hastings and her family have owned the trolley business since 1991. Affectionately called “Miss Chris” by locals, Hastings is a true representative of Rehoboth Beach and its surrounding areas. Warm and personable, with a wealth of knowledge and fun facts, she never misses a beat when answering questions about where to go and what to do while in town.
One Square Mile
Hastings told us that Rehoboth Beach is affectionately known as the “Nation’s Summer Capitol” because so many DC politicians and government employees visit there. Chief among them is President Joe Biden, who has a house there. In the past, visitors have included the late Senator John McCain and Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
The downtown area is but a square mile and anchored by three main drags: Wilmington, Rehoboth, and Baltimore Avenues. The three parallel one another and run to the Atlantic Ocean and the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. A bandstand, located next to the boardwalk, is a hub for outdoor music.
The beach town has about 1,200 year-round residents, but that population swells to 100,000 to 200,000 in high season, Hastings reports. In addition to Washington, DC, many visitors come from surrounding cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.
Autumn Beach Getaway
We stayed at the ideally situated The Avenue Inn & Spa. A 4-star hotel located one block from the beach, the hotel has convenient pedestrian access to Rehoboth Avenue. The hotel features include a sun terrace and an indoor heated pool with a nightly adults-only hour from 9-10 p.m. Complimentary beach towels and chairs are readily available. Even though it’s autumn, the weather was warm enough for time at the beach.
The spacious suites are modern and decorated in soothing ocean tones with a sitting room separated from the bathroom and bedroom by a sliding barn door. A breakfast buffet is included in your room rate. What sets the hotel apart is its complimentary daily wine hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and cookies and milk at 8 p.m. The wine hour in particular attracts a wide swath of guests who fill the lobby and nearby sunroom.
Time for Spa-ing
Nancy and Julie found the Avenue Apothecary & Spa to be exceptional—and fully deserving of the many “Best Of” awards it has displayed at its entrance. Nancy had a facial, which was massaged-based and included both foot and hand massages in addition to facial massage.
Her aesthetician, Thaliya, was extremely gentle and inquisitive about what she desired from the facial and helped her choose the best facial from the many fruit-based treatments offered. She ended up selecting the Vitamin Sea Ultra Collagen Facial, which utilizes Eminence Organic skin care products and combines an Arctic Berry Peel with antioxidants and phytonutrients, courtesy of blueberries and raspberries for its anti-aging benefits.
Julie had a Custom Therapeutic Massage provided by Monea, who addressed her main goal: relaxation. She selected a lavender scent for a warm and soothing experience. She asked for light pressure, and Monea resisted the temptation to go deeper on Julie’s “knotty” shoulders. Monea still managed to expertly reduce the tension in her back.
If you’d like to wake up with an ocean sunrise, check out a room at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. The Bellmoor Inn and Spa’s quiet courtyard provides a tranquil stay.
Autumn Vibes on Rehoboth Avenue
As in most tourist towns, it’s easy to while away the hours walking up and down the main drag, in this case Rehoboth Avenue. This is where we hopped in and out of the shops and sampled the beach food. Some of the shops are t-shirt and souvenir magnets, but several are unique.
Mary stumbled into one called Bella Luna and was instantly intrigued by their collection of New Age gifts and locally made jewelry. Over at Yesterday’s Fun, she felt like she was five years old again. From Howdy Doody to Hot Wheels and Barbies, this throwback shop gave her some giggles. After purchasing Happy Meal toys, she headed into Twist Kitchen and Juice Bar just a few doors down. Their green elixir gave her the fuel to keep on exploring.
Autumn Beach Eats
She knew it was de rigueur to sample an ice cream while walking the boardwalk. Sounds like an easy enough task, but in Rehoboth Beach, there’s an ice cream shop every way you turn. Signs promising “The World’s Best Soft Serve” or “Greatest Frozen Custard” made it difficult to decide, but she chose the appropriately named Ice Cream Store. This parlor has over 100 flavors available every day and has won awards. As she licked her bubble-gum ice cream and strolled back to the Avenue Inn, enjoying a crisp fall breeze, Mary thought, “This is the life.”
Nancy homed in on pizza. She tried both Louie’s and Grotto Pizza, which are Rehoboth Beach staples with loyal followings. Coming from the “pizza capital of the US” (Connecticut), she liked both versions. They were similar, but Louie’s was a bit greasier and Grotto’s slice was a bit smaller. (Julie is not a fan of Grotto’s.) Other Rehoboth Avenue beach-food joints featured salt-water taffy (Dolle’s), fries (Thrasher’s), and frozen custard (Kohr Bros., which is Julie’s favorite).
Stroll Down Penny Lane
Both Nancy and Julie were charmed by Penny Lane, which was strung with lights and lined with charming shops. The throwback alley was designed for window shopping and demanded to be meandered through.
Nancy was also delighted to stumble on a Kilwins chocolate shop on Rehoboth Avenue, which she and Mary had discovered before in Greenville, SC. She took some home to give away as gifts (maybe, if they last that long).
An Autumn Day at the Beach
There’s more to Rehoboth Beach than the downtown area. Delaware’s flat and scenic landscape has led to it being named the second most bike-friendly state east of the Mississippi.
Rehoboth Beach exemplifies the cycling experience via the Gordons Pond Trail that runs through Cape Henlopen State Park (entry fee $5-$10). The popular trail meanders past sand dunes, an elevated boardwalk with bird-watching lookouts and a former World War II-era museum in the Fort Miles Historical area.
With over six miles of coastline and trails, nature and beach lovers flock to Cape Henlopen year-round. The cooler weather makes autumn at the beach even better.
During our visit, we drove a jeep out onto the beach for an afternoon of relaxation, picnicking, and a little surf fishing (permit required). The rolling waves, stirred up by a storm passing out at sea, made fishing a bit challenging. Still, the resulting sea breeze created an idyllic Saturday afternoon.
Exploring Beyond Rehoboth Beach
Lewes’ historic downtown lends itself to exploring its quaint streets and boutiques. You can also explore the Delaware Bay with a tour from Cape Water Tours.
Rehoboth Beach’s walkable restaurants, shops, and boardwalk make a great base for exploring Southern Delaware. Visitors should, however, also venture to the surrounding communities of Lewes (pronounced “Lewis”), Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach.
Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach are located south of Rehoboth Beach. You’ll find an energetic music scene at Dewey’s Bottle and Cork bar, which skews to a younger, rowdier crowd than Rehoboth Beach.
For a quieter experience, you can stroll Bethany Beach’s boardwalk and grab a slice of pizza at Pomodoro Pizzeria or fudge from Three Blonde Bakers. To stay overnight, consider booking the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach or condo rentals at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach.
Whichever town you choose to visit amongst the Southern Delaware Beach towns, you’ll be in the midst of the Culinary Coast, which is a Mid-Atlantic draw for foodies. Seafood is a primary offering at most establishments, no surprise there, but they also do other cuisines extraordinarily well.
Fall at Rehoboth Beach invites visitors to discover beyond its beaches. A full calendar of activities, such as the Sea Witch Festival, run throughout autumn at the beach.
Our trip was hosted by Southern Delaware Tourism.
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