Bethany Beach is located in the southeastern corner of Delaware, about 100 miles from Baltimore, and is known as one of the state’s “quiet resorts.” It’s an attractive option for nature lovers, vacationing families, and buyers looking for a second home or rental income in a place that’s not as busy as Rehoboth Beach to the north or Ocean City, Maryland, to the south. It’s also the number one place to retire in Delaware. Matt Lunden of the Lunden Group with Keller Williams Realty has a YouTube channel where he posts informative videos about the Delaware beaches. He says buyers interested in Bethany are looking for a place at the beach without the usual noise and hustle. “It’s not big, but it’s a big difference in lifestyle.” With 964 full-time residents living within its 1.2-mile-square-foot city limits, Bethany is small, but the population jumps to as many as 15,000 in the summer, when beachgoers flock to town. As they travel from farther inland on Delaware Route 26, they pass a Bethany Beach landmark – a statue informally known in town as “the totem pole.” The original was gifted to the town in 1976 by sculptor Peter Wolf Toth as a tribute to Indigenous Americans. Return visitors to Bethany know they’ve made it to the beach when they see it every year.
Take your dog out for a walk in Bethany Beach.
Enjoy scenic views at Bethany Beach.
Check out the iconic totem pole on Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach.
Bethany Beach has spectacular sunrises.
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Shopping and dining along the boardwalk
For residents and visitors alike, the boardwalk is the central hub. Shops featuring everything from souvenirs to sporting gear offer respite from the heat, and visitors appreciate that Delaware doesn’t charge sales tax on purchases. Walk-up eateries serve typical boardwalk fare, and tourists love Mango’s for the views from its second-floor deck. Like most beach towns, Bethany offers plenty of fresh seafood, and locals recommend Bluecoast for its water views and numerous side dishes. Cottage Café is a Bethany fixture known for friendly service, dune tots and “the best burger in town.” Chain grocery stores like Hocker’s, Giant and Food Lion are all within 3 miles of the beach, and a farmers’ market offers fresh produce in the summer.
Bethany Town Center in Bethany Beach is home to many small businesses.
Bethany Beach is known for its excellent seafood.
Bethany Beach is a walker's paradise.
Cottage Cafe in Bethany Beach is a local favorite.
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Bungalows, condos and townhouses are plentiful
Bethany’s oceanfront is lined with coastal-style single-family homes and condos with prices around $2 million. Down the side streets, bungalows with small yards sell for $400,000 to $1,000,000. Sea Colony, in South Bethany, is a large complex with world-class tennis facilities, and prices range from the high $500s for condos to $2 million for townhouses and single-family homes. Houses near Jefferson Creek are situated on inland canals – “It’s kind of like Bethany’s version of Venice,” says Lunden – allowing residents to head out onto the water from their own private docks. Real estate offerings also include timeshare weeks.
Unique homes are a staple of Bethany Beach.
Oceanfront homes are found along Bethany Beach.
Sea Colony in Bethany Beach offers condos and townhomes.
There is a home for everyone in Bethany Beach.
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The Indian River School District serves local kids
Students attend school in the Indian River School District. Lord Baltimore Elementary and Indian River High School have an A-minus rating from Niche.com, and both have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. The high school has an Enviro-Act club dedicated to protecting and restoring local watersheds in partnership with regional environmental groups. Selbyville Middle has earned a B-plus from Niche. Southern Delaware School of the Arts offers instruction in dance, drama and music.
Lord Baltimore Elementary School is a highly rated, public school in Bethany Beach.
Selbyville Middle School is an above average, public school in Bethany Beach.
Indian River High School faithfully serves the community of Bethany Beach.
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Locals celebrate at Bethany Beach's annual events
Bethany sponsors events at the boardwalk throughout the year. Seaside Concert Series offers live music from local and regional acts. Movies on the Beach are family-friendly favorites. The annual Fourth of July parade flows through downtown at the height of summer. And in October, things slow down with Bonfires on the Beach and s'mores.
Multiple parks offer fresh air and exercise
The boardwalk isn’t the only draw at Bethany. The surrounding bays, creeks and tributaries provide additional opportunities for recreation. Nature lovers and year-round residents enjoy surfing, kayaking and fishing at Delaware Seashore State Park. Fenwick Island State Park is a favorite spot for beachcombing, paddleboarding and searching for ghost crabs. And Bethany Beach Central Park is a popular spot to gather with friends, play with the kids and walk the dogs.
Fenwick Island State Park is just minutes away from Bethany Beach.
Shoot some hoops at the basketball court in Bethany Beach.
Kids in Bethany Beach can play on the playground off of Garfield Parkway.
Take a stroll down the beach in Bethany Beach.
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Walking and cycling are popular ways to get around
Delaware Route 1 (Coastal Highway) is the main north-south route along the Delaware shore, offering easy access to side streets, but parking is a challenge in the summer. Residents have permits, but public parking near the beach is pay-to-park from May to September. Walking and cycling are popular alternatives, given Bethany’s small footprint. The town also runs a trolley in the high season, and paddlers can take to the many small waterways that wind through town to get to some destinations.
The boardwalk at Bethany Beach is a treat for folks in the area.
How far are you from the shores of Bethany Beach.
Bethany Beach boardwalk is a nice way to spend some time.
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