What to do on a rainy day at Delaware beaches

Molly McVety, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·8 min read

It’s a feeling we all know too well.

You and the family arrive to your Delaware beach destination excited to spend your days off in the sun, sand and sea, only to find out Mother Nature isn’t as excited for your vacation as you are.

Rainy days at the Delaware beaches don’t have to be a bust. There are plenty of options to enjoy your time together when the weather is gloomy. Here are a few good ones:

Rainy days like this 2021 day in Rehoboth drive people off the beach and boardwalk, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of fun to be had at Delaware beaches.
Rainy days like this 2021 day in Rehoboth drive people off the beach and boardwalk, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of fun to be had at Delaware beaches.

Visit a local theater

The Delaware beaches are host to a number of local theaters for the stage and screen.

Clear Space Theatre Company

The Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth puts on a number of shows every week, and their summer schedule, jam-packed with classic plays, already has been published.

Average ticket prices range from $20 to $35, and shows are performed every weekend.

20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. (302) 227-2270; clearspacetheatre.org

Dickens Parlour Theatre

After the pandemic shut down operations in 2020, Dickens Parlour Theatre expanded and moved to Good Earth Lane in Ocean View, where magicians, comedians, musicians and theater performers can showcase their talents. There’s also a separate dining section for customers to nosh before or after a show.

Check out the theater’s full schedule for the summer on their website.

31810 Good Earth Lane, Ocean View. (302) 829-1071; dickensparlourtheatre.com. 

Milton Theatre

For over 100 years, the Milton Theater has been a community staple, acting as everything from a movie theater to a fire station, and surviving three fires of its own over the years. Today it stands as an artistic and cultural hub for the Milton area, putting on a variety of shows and events like musical theater, cover bands, psychic readings and movie screenings.

For a full list of the events this summer, visit their website.

110 Union St, Milton. (302) 684-3038; miltontheatre.com.

Movie theaters

The family-run Movies at Midway multiplex in Rehoboth Beach is managed by the third generation of the Derrickson family and still offers $1 candy and free popcorn tub refills.
The family-run Movies at Midway multiplex in Rehoboth Beach is managed by the third generation of the Derrickson family and still offers $1 candy and free popcorn tub refills.

There are also plenty of movie theaters around the Delaware beach area, just in time for the releases of highly anticipated movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” (both are expected to be released on July 21).

Some options include Movies at Midway in Rehoboth and Milford Movies 9.

Clayton Theatre also has a single-screen where one movie is shown for multiple weeks.

Movies at Midway, 18585 Coastal Hwy #1, Rehoboth Beach. (302) 645-0200; moviesatmidway.com

Milford Movies 9, 989 N. Dupont Blvd., Milford. (302) 279-4376; milfordmovies9.com

The Clayton Theatre, 33246 Main St., Dagsboro. (302) 732-3744; theclaytontheatre.com

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Check out a museum

The beaches also are home to local museums that offer an educational and entertaining look at a slew of historical time periods and themes:

Rehoboth Beach Museum

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society has been preserving and showcasing artifacts that tell the story of Rehoboth’s history in the Rehoboth Beach Museum since 1975.

The society hosts a variety of events including walking tours, musical performances and special days where locals come together to try and piece together the history of a certain photograph or artifact.

Starting Memorial day, the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays; until 1 p.m. on weekends.

511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth. (302) 227-7310; rehobothbeachmuseum.org

Zwaanendael Museum

Almost 100 years old, the Zwaanendael Museum at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes commemorates the first settlement on Delaware soil, the Dutch settlement of Swanendael.

The museum’s two floors are dedicated to the military and social history of the Lewes area.

The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. (302) 645-1148; history.delaware.gov/zwaanendael-museum

DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum

Dale Clifton stands among some of his recovered treasures and artifacts inside DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island.
Dale Clifton stands among some of his recovered treasures and artifacts inside DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island.

DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick, is a giant collection of artifacts recovered from shipwrecks. The museum rotates their displays often, depending on any new finds that emerge, but always has at least 10,000 relics on display at all times.

The museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m in June and 4 p.m. in July and August.

708 Coastal Highway. 708 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island.  (302) 539-9366; www.discoversea.com

Nanticoke Indian Museum

Moving more inland, the Nanticoke Indian Museum, located on John J Williams Highway in Millsboro, is the only museum in Delaware dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Native Americans in the state.

Here you can check out artifacts including artwork, traditional clothing, arrowheads that illuminate the lives of indigenous peoples, some of which date back to almost 10,000 years ago.

The Nanticoke Indian Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

26673 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro. nanticokeindians.org; (302) 945-7022

Milton Historical Society

The Milton Historical Society possesses hundreds of artifacts related to Milton and the Broadkill Hundred’s history. They are open from Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The organization holds events throughout the year publicized on their Facebook page.

210 Union St.  historicmilton.org

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Sip local

The areas around the beaches have plenty of breweries and wineries that offer tours and tastings for the of-age crowd that needs to distracted from the bad weather!

Dogfish Head Brewery

Malted milk balls are added while making one of Dogfish Head's newest brews in Milton: the 7.3% ABV Maibock beer named Balls Back Bock
Malted milk balls are added while making one of Dogfish Head's newest brews in Milton: the 7.3% ABV Maibock beer named Balls Back Bock

The most popular brewery name in Delaware, Dogfish Head offers tours of their brewery and has indoor spaces for tasting and eating. Dogfish Head also offers a beer sherpa bike adventure, which offers access to seven local breweries.

The brewery is located at 6 Cannery Village Center in Milton (but they recommend typing 511 Chestnut Street into your GPS), and they are open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.

6 Cannery Village Center, Milton. 888-8dogfish; dogfish.com/brewery/beer

Delmarva Discovery Tours

Delmarva Discover Tours offer private tours around the Dewey and Rehoboth areas to just about anything you could imagine including to breweries, farms, and antiquing destinations. Customers can rent a private party bus for groups up to 25 people and choose from over 20 tour options.

See the full selection on their website.

Visit delmarvadiscoverytours.com/book-now.htm

Nassau Valley Vineyards

Mike Reese, the winemaker at Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes, tends to six acres of the vineyard where they grow grapes for Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mike Reese, the winemaker at Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes, tends to six acres of the vineyard where they grow grapes for Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

For those interested in wine tasting, Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes also offers guided tours and tastings, educational seminars and free, self-guided tours of the vineyard.

The vineyard is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

32165 Winery Way, Lewes. (302) 645-9463; nassauvalley.com/

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Support local artists

Local artists thrive at Delaware beaches, where the scenic landscapes provide inspiration for paintings, prints and merchandise to spare.

Here are some local artists and art galleries to check out. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so be on the look out for local artists you are likely to come across.

Tideline Gallery of Rehoboth Beach

Bill and Bard Hammond have operated Tideline Gallery for almost four decades. After recent struggles, the couple was almost forced to sell their business until fellow coastal small business owner and personal friend Patty Derrick rented out her Sea Shell Shop's previous space on Rehoboth Avenue.

The Gallery is now located on 119 Rehoboth Ave. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

119 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. (302) 227-4444; tidelinegallery.com

Rehoboth Art League

The Rehoboth Art League holds over two dozen art exhibitions every year, showcasing the work of the league's local members. They also offer over 150 classes for painting, drawing, pottery and many more.

The Art League is located at 12 Dodds Lane, and is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from noon until 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.

511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. rehobothbeachmuseum.org; (302) 227-7310

Cape Artists' Gallery

Cape Artists' Gallery showcases and sells the work of nearly two dozen local artists.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

110 3rd St., Lewes. (302) 644-7733; capeartists.org

Peninsula Gallery

One of the largest original fine art galleries in the state, the Peninsula Gallery in Lewes displays original pieces from about 30 local, regional and international artists. The gallery also doubles as a framing and art conservation business.

Peninsula Gallery is located on Savannah Road and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Framing consultations are only Tuesday to Saturday.

520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes. peninsula-gallery.com

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Shopping

Can you really call it a vacation if you aren’t leaving with more luggage than you came with? Luckily, the Delaware beaches are home to an extensive list of tax-free shopping destinations for anyone to enjoy.

Shoppers at Tanger Outlets Surfside location in Rehoboth.
Shoppers at Tanger Outlets Surfside location in Rehoboth.

The beaches have sectioned off areas where local boutiques and brands set up shop. Some highlights include Penny Lane Mall in Rehoboth and Garfield Parkway in Bethany.

Of course, the boardwalks offer plenty of shops and restaurants to stay dry in, as well.

Mentioning shopping at the beach would be nothing without mentioning the Tanger Outlets, with its 100+ name-brand stores sprawled over two miles and three separate sections.

The outlets are located off Route 1 and open every day at 10 a.m., closing at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and ar 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

36698 Bayside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach. tanger.com/rehoboth

Go for something new

Lefty's Alley and Eats opened off Del. 1 near Lewes over the winter.
Lefty's Alley and Eats opened off Del. 1 near Lewes over the winter.

If shopping and browsing doesn't translate into vacation fun to you, use your indoor time to try something active and new.

Shell We Bounce

Shell We Bounce is a trampoline park . The center has more than just bouncing-based cardio, they also have an arcade, a kid zone and designated areas for basketball and dodgeball. They open every day at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and a 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

32295 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Lewes. shellwebounce.com; (302) 827-4453

Lefty's Alley & Eats

Looking for an all-in-one indoor activity center? Lefty’s Alley & Eats in Lewes has its own arcade, bowling lanes, top golf, karaoke, axe throwing and its own restaurant and bar that hosts live entertainment every weekend.

Lefty’s opens at 11:00 a.m. every day and closes at 9:00 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, 10:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Located at 36450 Plaza Blvd., Lewes. 302-864-6000; iloveleftys.com

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Things to do at the beach in Delaware when it rains