Each spring and every glorious summer, the fun gets a fresh start at Delaware’s beaches. New restaurants appear, old favorites reopen with renewed energy, and another season of seashore relaxation beckons travelers from around the East Coast. The buzz at the beach is especially energizing for 2022, a year when travelers are more than ready to get away, and hungry for word on what’s new at Delaware’s beach towns. Here’s a pre-season peek of what’s on the horizon at Southern Delaware’s coastal resorts:
Lewes
Stay and play: The bright and sleek new Hyatt House Lewes / Rehoboth Beach offers a large indoor lap pool and outdoor patio with a fire pit and grilling station.
Rehoboth Beach
A sweet moment: Indulge your sweet tooth at the new Sugar Planet in Rehoboth Beach, a revved-up candy store with some out-of-this-world treats. 161 Rehoboth Avenue.
Concerts ahead: Fans of outdoor music flock to the beach’s open-air venues, where things will soon be cooking. The Rehoboth Beach Bandstand’s Summer Concert Series starts June 10 with free performances at 8 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tribute performances will honor the Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, the Eagles, Elton John, Elvis, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Shakin’ it up: The new Hammy’s Burgers & Shakes is bringing “decadent milkshakes for kids, boozy adult shakes, tater tots, chili, and over 30 burgers” at this cool spot being built at 19266 Coastal Highway.
Creamy deliciousness: The new The Mill Creamery adds to an already luscious lineup of beach ice cream shops.
Dewey Beach
Ed’s Chicken returns: The ever-popular Starboard plans to open The Starboard Claw, a new restaurant with outdoor dining. at the former site of Hammerheads, featuring ribs from Bethany Blues, and the legendary Ed’s Famous Chicken.
Party in the sand: Create your perfect party with a luxurious beach picnic created by Beachin Bash, a company that will set up and break down your beach bonfire, and provide all the fixins for a cozy celebration in the sand. Serving Rehoboth and Dewey.
Yoga on the beach: It’s hard to imagine a more soothing setting for yoga than the beach on a beautiful morning. The folks at Dewey Beach Yoga agree, and will be hosting beach yoga sessions starting at 8 a.m. Friday, May 27 on the Dickinson Avenue beach. Bring your beach towel, something to drink, and $11 cash. (Coming this summer: Full Moon Yoga!) See their Facebook page here.
Bethany Beach
BBQ to go: Not only is Bethany Blues’ new grab-and-go Bethany Blues Express up and running, the main restaurant itself has reopened after an extensive upgrade.
Country vibes: Catch three nights of original music from area musicians at Bethany Beach’s Songwriter Showcase: The Nashville Connection, May 20-22 starting at 7:30 at the Bethany Bandstand. (Bethany's 2022 Concert Series kicks off May 7, and shows will continue through October.)
Fenwick Island
More of a good thing: The popular Fins Ale House & Raw Bar already has locations in Rehoboth and Bethany, and is expected to expand into West Fenwick’s Bayville Shopping Center soon.
Ocean View
Good food, good shows: The 60-seat parlour-style Dickens Parlour Theatre just west of Bethany Beach is a great new companion to the popular Good Earth Market & Restaurant.
New brews: Ocean View Brewing Co. is the latest from SoDel Concepts, which runs such favs as Thompson Island Brewing and Bluecoast Seafood Grill. Their new hotspot is said to be “a brewery like Thompson Island, but with more seafood, like Bluecoast.” (There’s also word that two other beach breweries are on the way: Bethany Bay Brewing near Bethany Beach, and Lewes Brewing Co.)