The "Nation's Summer Capital" along the Delaware coast
Along the banks of the Atlantic Coast, Rehoboth Beach has long been celebrated as "The Nation's Summer Capital." Ocean breezes, waterfront escapes, historic charm and a refined dining scene have drawn D.C. natives, government officials and even former Presidents like Joe Biden to this eastern corner of Sussex County. "Rehoboth Beach is primarily a secondary market," says Adam Linder, a local Realtor with Northrop Realty. "Most of our buyers come from the Washington, D.C. metro area, Baltimore, Philadelphia and the New York City metro area."
As of the 2020 Census, a mere 1,100 people called Rehoboth their permanent home. "Rehoboth used to be more of a resort town, but over the last 20 years, it's grown into a lively year-round retreat," says Lisa Mathena, Broker at The Lisa Mathena Group, Inc. Rehoboth Beach and neighboring Dewey Beach attract a total of 5 million-plus visitors throughout the year, transforming a formerly sleepy coastal community into a year-round destination defined by its culinary scene, upscale shopping and low taxes. "Our property taxes are low, Social Security is tax-free and we have no sales tax," Linder says.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal drawbridge serves as a natural border. Just past the bridge, residents and visitors are greeted by a miniature lighthouse that anchors the roundabout. Shops, restaurants and entertainment options line Rehoboth Avenue, the community's downtown commercial district, while a mile-long beachside boardwalk marks the Avenue's end. Quiet residential streets fan off the Avenue, giving way to an eclectic mix of homes canopied by mature foliage. "It's called 'Lower Slower Delaware' for a reason," Mathena says.
Rehoboth's beaches, boardwalks, bays and green spaces
Rehoboth's 1-mile-long boardwalk, built in 1873, anchors the beachfront with food stalls, beach shops, hotels, arcades and the largest attraction—Funland. Tucked right along the shore, this small amusement park packs a punch with 20 rides, 15 different midway games and an arcade.
Colorful umbrellas dot the beachfront, welcoming sunbathers, beachcombers, boogieboarders, crabbers and anglers. "We have all sorts of fish during the year; striped bass and seabass are both popular. And there are a ton of fishing competitions, too," Mathena says. Boating enthusiasts can glide along the Atlantic's open waters or enjoy the calm streams of the Delaware Bay—smaller bayside retreats such as Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay welcome kayakers and paddleboarders.
Although warm sandy beaches and oceanfront views are the main draw to Rehoboth, green spaces and recreational areas are scattered around town. As a designated Tree City USA community, tree-lined streets give way to neighborhood parks. Smaller green spaces like Grove Park are a gathering place for seasonal Tuesday morning farmers markets alongside free weekly community events for all ages. Public tennis and pickleball courts are scattered around town, while Rehoboth Beach Country Club and Kings Creek Country Club are two of the many nearby golf courses.
The nearby Silver Lake and Lake Gerar Park offer freshwater views, walking trails, playgrounds and picnic areas situated just blocks from the beach. The Georgetown-Lewes Trail and the Junction and Breakwater Trail offer smooth paved paths for joggers and cyclists. North of Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen State Park is a 5,000-acre park along the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Recreational options there range from pristine beaches and wetland trails to a nature center and a 19-hole disc golf course (the extra hole is a back-up in case there are cars parked on the 18th). Farther south, the Delaware Seashore State Park spans dunes, wetlands and open shorelines.
Classic coastal cottages meet luxury modern designs
Rehoboth Beach offers a mix of full-time residences, vacation homes and investment rental properties, with architectural styles from the Victorian era up through the 21st century. Most condominium complexes hug the beachfront, with prices ranging from around half a million to $5 million for a penthouse unit. Historic cottages and bungalows sit in stark contrast to modern luxury designs. Coastal Cape Cods intermingle with colonial-style homes that boast airy front porches. Yet the stilt-style construction common in other beach towns is noticeably absent. Some homes feature raised foundations or ground-floor living for garage and storage space; however, many properties sit on ground level. Detached single-family homes within the city limits typically range from $1.1 million to $6 million. Vacant lots fetch between $1.2 million and $3.5 million, reflecting the area's desirability and scarcity of undeveloped land. The city also boasts a CAP Index Crime score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Downtown Rehoboth's vibrant culinary and shopping scene
With over 100 eateries spanning the oceanfront to Rehoboth Avenue, local establishments offer everything from upscale dining to nostalgic boardwalk treats ranging from Candy Kitchen to Dolle's Salt Water Taffy. "There are two things people here like to talk about: the food and the traffic," Linder says. Nicknamed “The Culinary Coast,” fine-dining staples housed in historic cottages range from Blue Moon's American fare to La Fable's French cuisine. "Cultured Pearl has the best sushi, but I'd say the overall best seafood spot is Henlopen City Oyster House," Linder says.
Cozy coffee shops and sandwich joints are scattered between pizzerias and outdoor bars. Rehoboth Beach has historically been known as an LGBTQ-plus friendly destination, with popular nightlife spots ranging from Aqua Bar and Grill, which regularly hosts Pride-centric events, to the Purple Parrot Grill's weekly Sunday evening drag show.
The thriving local retail scene includes boutiques, art galleries and shops like Browseabout Books. For national brands and outlet shopping, Tanger Outlets, big-box stores and chain grocers are located farther inland along Delaware State Route 1.
Year-round entertainment in Rehoboth
Rehoboth Beach boasts a year-round calendar of events, from Christmas parades and Santa bar crawls to film festivals and greyhound meetups. Small-town charm shines bright every October when thousands of patrons flock to downtown Rehoboth for the annual Sea Witch Festival. "There's a costume parade, and people go all out. Then on Sunday, there's a pet parade along the boardwalk," Mathena says.
Cape Henlopen's top-rated schools
The Cape Henlopen School District, boasts an overall A rating from Niche, which ranks it the second-best school district in Delaware. Rehoboth Elementary School garners an A, while Mariner Middle and Cape Henlopen High earn A-minuses. High schoolers can choose from nine career and technical education programs, ranging from robotics to agricultural science. Additional career pathways include music and the performing arts.
Commutes around Sussex County
Quiet streets and sidewalks cater to cyclists and pedestrians, while Delaware Area Rapid Transit buses connect Rehoboth Beach to surrounding areas in Suffolk County. One main bus stop is at the boardwalk along Rehoboth Avenue, the city's central artery. Delaware State Route 1 is the main coastal highway, leading residents south to Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island and Bethany Beach. Beebe Healthcare is the nearest hospital in Lewes, less than 10 miles away. Washington, D.C. is about 130 miles west via U.S. Route 50, while Wilmington Airport is about 85 miles north.
Coastal living concerns
Rehoboth Beach's location makes it susceptible to occasional hurricanes and nor'easters. Homeowners are responsible for checking the local floodplain map and insuring their property, while elevation certificates are required for new construction. Although the city is only 7 feet above sea level, most of the area sits outside of FEMA's 100-year flood zone map. "If you head farther north to the Bay beaches or farther south, there are many more homes on pilings," Mathena says. "But for some reason, Rehoboth doesn't seem to need it. We have had storms and hurricanes, and several homes from the 1600s and 1700s are still standing."
Photography Contributed By
Jessica Stoddard
