Tropical Family Travel features guest bloggers who can share their family travel experiences. In this posting, George Evanko writes about his summer vacations at Bethany Beach, just a couple of hours away from the hecticness of Washington, DC. Welcome George!
Bethany Beach, Delaware is known as the “Quiet Resort” and that is considered a compliment. In many ways, it is an old-fashioned beach town: no high-rise condos, no bars or nightspots, no “party scenes.” It is a resort town geared toward the family and in many ways, you can imagine that a week in Bethany today is much like it was decades ago.
But there is a big change this year at Bethany Beach that actually makes a visit there different, while enhancing the town’s “retro” feel. An extensive beach replenishment program took place over the winter and, instead of just adding more sand, the town officials redesigned the look of the beach.
There are now dunes with sea grass growing in them in the sand closest to the boardwalk. These dunes are not accessible for beach use; they’re in place to protect the town’s beachfront properties from storm damage. But they also change the look and feel of the beach, and I think it is for the better. The section of the beach for public use is now separated from the boardwalk by the dunes, probably a walk of 20 yards. The beach then extends about 70 yards to the ocean. Not only is there more beach than in recent years, it is more scenic thanks to the dunes. Also, for those strolling the boardwalk or staying in a beachfront home or condo, you see and hear less of the beach traffic. It makes a quiet resort even quieter. Some people I have spoken to say it feels like the beaches in the Carolinas now.
For families considering a beach trip, Bethany is an excellent choice. Beyond its' proximity to Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and other Mid-Atlantic cities, it is really geared toward families, especially those with young children. When staying in the town limits, it is possible to do all of the usual vacation things – beach, lunch, shopping, game time – without using your car. Many people instead rely on bikes, and with bike/jogging lanes throughout town, it is easy to pedal around for errands or exercise. There is a playground with a basketball court and field also available for all to use.
When it comes to dining, Bethany offers a little of everything, from classic boardwalk fare to family-friendly restaurants to more upscale offerings. One other benefit of note for the consumer in your family: Rehoboth Beach, with dozens of outlet stores, is less than 15 miles away.
But even with all of these attractions and benefits, the best days at Bethany are often spent hanging out with the family, doing nothing more than hitting the beach, relaxing in the house, reading and chatting and then enjoying a home-cooked dinner. A quiet, peaceful day in the “Quiet Resort.”
To get a sense of what the new beach looks like at Bethany, you can always check out the view from a live webcam, found here: http://www.bethanycam.com/.
Photo Credit: George Evanko Communications
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